Flat spotlight

The flat spotlight mounts on the surface, as close to the ceiling as possible: 4.5 cm high, 11.7 cm in diameter, in aluminium, IP20, with a GU10 bulb or an integrated warm white LED. It lights a kitchen, hallway and living room with downward-directed light without cutting into the plasterboard.

How should you arrange ceiling spotlights in a room?

Pencil in the useful areas before drilling: worktop, entrance, table, wall to be highlighted. The spotlights are then spread in regular rows, with a constant spacing and the first point set back from the wall to avoid cast shadow. A plan drawn on the ceiling saves you from drilling twice.

Living room ceiling spotlight layout: the zone rule

In a living room, you do not light the centre of the ceiling but what is actually used: the wall behind the sofa, the reading corner, the low sideboard. A straight line runs along a wall, a rectangle frames the room. To go further on this type of room, see living room lighting and the LED spotlights for living rooms. A single point in the middle lights empty space and leaves shadow areas.

Ceiling spotlight distance: what spacing between two points?

There is no universal distance: it depends on the ceiling height, the surface area and what you want to light. In general, keep a regular spacing between two points and set the first row back from the wall by about a third of that spacing, to avoid cast shadow on the wall. In a hallway, alignment matters more than the number: see the spotlights for hallways.

What light does a flat spotlight give and in which room should it be installed?

A flat spotlight projects direct, concentrated light downwards, which is why it works above a worktop, in a hallway or near an armchair. Integrated LED versions give a warm white of 2700 to 3500 K; GU10 versions let you choose the bulb according to the mood you want.

Living room spotlight: how to balance direct lighting?

A downward beam is suited to accent lighting, not to the general lighting of a living room. Pair it with a pendant or a floor lamp, and reserve the spotlights for walls and furniture. The whole family can be browsed in the entire indoor spotlight family.

Flat LED spotlight or flat GU10 spotlight: what is the difference day to day?

The bulb model lets you change the light temperature whenever you like; the integrated LED model fixes a warm white and can only be replaced as a whole. The Neo extra-flat ceiling spotlight takes a GU10 bulb of 8 W max, the 10.5 W LED version gives warm white directly.

Flat spotlight or recessed spotlight: which to choose for your ceiling?

The flat spotlight measures 4.5 cm high and 11.7 cm in diameter: it is surface-mounted when the ceiling cannot be cut into, whereas the recessed version requires a cavity above the board. Both light a kitchen, hallway and living room, indoors only (IP20).

Flat ceiling spotlight: when the surface-mounted version is the answer

Concrete ceiling, solid slab, ceiling already painted or rented accommodation: surface mounting avoids cutting and can be removed without leaving a hole. It is the solution for quick renovations. The Neo extra-flat model protrudes only 4.5 cm, which stays discreet on a white ceiling. See also the ceiling spotlights.

Plaster ceiling and flat spotlight: what to check before drilling

A plasterboard panel supports the weight of a small light fitting, not that of a heavy fixture hanging from the panel alone: locate the rails or add a suitable anchor. For a hollow ceiling, compare with switching to a recessed model and the recessed LED spotlights, which fit into the cavity.

Parallel or series spotlight wiring: which setup to choose?

In parallel, each spotlight stays powered and the switch controls them all: if one point fails, the others keep lighting. A series setup adds up the resistances and divides the voltage, which is not suitable for ceiling spotlights. So you wire in parallel, on a terminal block.

Parallel spotlight wiring: how to wire the parallel circuit?

The supply reaches the first spotlight, then runs on to the next from the first one's terminal block: live with live, neutral with neutral, earth if the light fitting has one. Each point is thus powered independently. On a bulb version, the choice goes to the GU10 bulb spotlights.

Series or parallel: what changes with a dimmer

A dimmer is placed upstream of the circuit and only works with compatible sources: a dimmable GU10 bulb or an LED module designed for dimming. An incompatible source flickers or hums. To build a circuit you can adjust, start from the dimmable spotlights and the dimmable LED spotlights.

How do you change a recessed spotlight or its bulb?

Switch off the circuit breaker, then unclip the spotlight from the ceiling. The ring unscrews a quarter turn on an adjustable model and the GU10 bulb comes out by pressing. On an integrated LED version, the source cannot be replaced separately: the whole spotlight is unplugged and replaced.

Changing a spotlight bulb: the quarter turn that frees it

The bulb is held by two pins: press lightly and turn a quarter turn to release it. Refit a bulb of the same socket, 8 W max on this selection, and the same temperature as the other points in the room. Details of the bulb models are in the LED versions.

How do you change the bulb of an adjustable spotlight?

On an adjustable model, first tilt the ring downwards to reach the bulb without forcing the joint. Noting the wires before unplugging avoids swapping live and neutral when refitting. The adjustable models are gathered in an adjustable spotlight.

Can a flat spotlight be installed outdoors or in a bathroom?

The flat spotlights in this selection are IP20, so intended for dry indoor areas: kitchen, hallway, living room. In a bathroom, outdoors, under a canopy or near a window that is often open, you need a higher protection rating and a model designed for damp conditions.

Outdoor flat spotlight: why IP20 is not enough outside

The IP20 rating means protected against medium solid objects and against no water ingress: rain, condensation and spray will reach it. A flat spotlight placed outside lasts a few weeks then corrodes. For a facade or a terrace, look instead for outdoor spotlights.

Outdoor spotlight with motion sensor: another product, other constraints

The sensor is not built into these flat spotlights. An outdoor spotlight with motion sensor, an outdoor LED spotlight with sensor or a twin outdoor spotlight with motion sensor are devices designed for damp conditions, with their own electronics. Detection can also be handled upstream, by a separate sensor on the circuit. In a wet room, see a model for bathrooms.

Which flat spotlight finish should you choose for your ceiling?

It all depends on what you want to see on the ceiling: white to disappear, black to embrace the contrast, silver for a discreet reflection, gold to warm things up, taupe to match light woods. The colour of the ceiling and of the light fittings already installed guide the choice.

White flat spotlight or black flat spotlight: which look?

On a ceiling painted white, the white version fades away and leaves only the circle of light visible. The black version draws a crisp point, which suits industrial interiors and light ceilings. Compare the white version and the black look on the ceiling.

Matching gold, silver and taupe with the rest of the room

Gold warms a living room or a dark ceiling, silver matches modern kitchens, steel and concrete. Taupe, neutral and warm, concerns only some of the references in the selection: check the model's data sheet before building a set. The light colour options are in the white LED spotlights.

How do you care for a flat spotlight and what does the warranty cover?

A soft, dry cloth is enough on aluminium, without abrasive products that mark the finish. Dust settling on the ring dulls the light output: regular dusting is enough. All the flat spotlights in the selection are guaranteed for 2 years.

Cleaning the finish without damaging the aluminium

Switch off the power before wiping, wipe the ring and the body without wetting the terminal block, and avoid scouring pads on gold as well as silver. Anodised aluminium only needs a duster. The rest of the catalogue can be explored in the Designix lighting catalogue.

Spotting a bulb at the end of its life before it fails

Drop in brightness, flickering, a tint turning green: the GU10 bulb is reaching the end of its life. You replace it without touching the light fitting, which is not possible on an integrated LED module. Unsure which reference to take? The Neo extra-flat recessed spotlight and the 10 W LED version share the same dimensions.

Secure payment, tracked delivery, returns and Designix customer service: the four points are there so that the installation ends without unpleasant surprises. One last look at lighting a kitchen or at a spotlight track before confirming your basket, and you leave with the right reference.

Frequently asked questions about the flat spotlight