IP20 spotlights

Plan one IP20 downlight for each dry area you need to light: hallway, living room, kitchen away from the sink, entrance, walk-in closet and bedroom. The IP20 rating protects against solid objects larger than 12.5 mm, such as a finger, but not against water: it is reserved for dry rooms, never right next to a shower.

What is an IP20 downlight and what does this rating protect against?

An IP20 downlight is protected against solid objects larger than 12.5 mm, such as a finger, but not against water. The rating has two digits: the first for solids, the second for water, here zero. All the downlights in this collection are IP20.

The IP20 protection rating explained

The first digit, 2, means that no finger or large object can reach live parts. The second, 0, indicates no protection against water. In practice, an IP20 downlight lives without any problem on a dry room ceiling.

What IP20 does not protect against

Not splashes, not steam, not immersion. Nor fine dust, which settles on the frame over time. The collection is mostly metal, with steel, wood on several models and glass. For sockets, GU10, E27 then E14. The Designix lighting range also covers other formats, and metal downlights wipe clean in one go.

Which rooms to install IP20 downlights in?

IP20 suits dry rooms: hallway, living room, kitchen away from splash zones, entrance, walk-in closet and bedroom. In this collection, the most frequent uses are the hallway and living room, then the kitchen, entrance and walk-in closet. Format and socket are then chosen according to ceiling height and the surface to be lit.

IP20 kitchen downlight: above the worktop

In a kitchen, a downlight aimed at the worktop removes the shadow cast by the person preparing food. LED kitchen downlights target this precise point rather than the centre of the room. A metal frame wipes clean with a cloth, which matters above a worktop.

IP20 downlight in a hallway, entrance or walk-in closet

In a hallway, a line of small downlights guides the eye to the far end. Black or white metal hallway downlights fit on a narrow ceiling. For a bedroom, see the bedroom downlights: soft light above the bed, never in the line of sight. The black Tecno downlight comes in several sizes and suits these passageways.

Is an IP20 rating enough for a bathroom?

No, not in the volumes close to the bathtub or shower, where water and steam require a higher rating. IP20 remains possible in the dry areas of the room, far from splashes. For the bathroom, better to look for an IP44 downlight or higher.

IP20 shower downlight: why it is avoided

Steam rises, condensation settles on the frame, water eventually reaches live parts. An unprotected downlight has no place above a shower tray, whatever its finish. It is not a question of quality: the rating decides.

Which IP rating for bathroom downlights?

Aim for IP44 at minimum, and go up a notch as you get closer to the water point. For a light ceiling, white downlights blend into the surface; for an adjustable beam, look at the adjustable LED downlights. Designix customer service can confirm your choice before ordering.

What is the difference between IP20, IP44, IP65 and IP67?

The two digits of the rating answer two questions: solids then water. IP20 does not protect against water, IP44 resists splashes, IP65 water jets and dust, IP67 temporary immersion. The higher the second digit, the more the downlight withstands humidity.

Which IP for a damp room?

A laundry room, a bathroom, a pantry: count IP44 as the floor, then adjust according to proximity to water. A room that is simply cool, such as a walk-in closet, stays IP20.

Which IP rating is the most watertight?

IP67, which withstands temporary immersion. It mainly concerns exposed outdoor settings, rarely an indoor ceiling. Indoors, IP44 and IP65 cover almost all needs.

To adjust light intensity, take a look at the dimmable downlights.

How to choose your IP20 downlight: socket, format or material?

The socket decides the bulb and the type of light, the format the space on the ceiling, the material the look. Here, GU10 and E27 cover most models, E14 equips the small formats. Metal dominates, wood brings warmth, glass contrast.

GU10 or E27: which socket for which use?

The pin GU10 gives a directed beam and a compact frame, often adjustable. It equips the white GU10 downlight Orio and the Zen 2 light downlight. The large screw E27 lights more diffusely and accepts a shade, such as the 4-spot ceiling light Jara. The E14, a small decorative format, is found on the Tenebris downlight.

Round, tube, ball or dome: which format to choose?

A round format sits alone above a passageway. A tube lines up in series in a hallway. A ball dresses a living room, a dome softens too direct a light. These silhouettes are found in the modern style downlights, and black asserts the line on black downlights.

How to arrange downlights on the ceiling?

Downlights are placed according to the areas to be lit, not at regular intervals across the whole room. Align them on walkways and worktops, staggered if the ceiling is low, in a square or a line for a hallway. Keep adjustable downlights for angles.

How many downlights to plan for the ceiling?

Start from the useful areas, not the total surface. One point above each passageway, one above the worktop, one for the entrance. Several low-power sources are better than a single strong one, which creates harsh shadows. For a living room, recessed living room downlights are distributed in a square.

Adjustable or fixed downlight: which to choose?

A fixed one lights straight down, which is enough for a hallway. An adjustable one compensates for an angle, a wall or an offset worktop, and avoids multiplying points. The Atlas 1 light downlight, in wood and metal, works on this principle.

How to install and maintain an IP20 downlight?

An IP20 downlight is fitted to the ceiling with the power off; the connection depends on the socket and the bulb chosen. For maintenance, dust the frame dry, without abrasive product. Check that the bulb matches the socket stated on the product sheet.

Changing the bulb of a GU10 or E27 downlight

Cut the power before any work. On a GU10, the bulb comes out with a quarter turn; on an E27, it unscrews. Use exactly the socket noted on the product sheet, without forcing. For any connection, call a qualified electrician.

IP20 downlight not earthed: what to check

Earthing depends on the class of the device and the existing installation, never on the frame alone. This point is checked at the time of wiring, not after. Browse all our home lights to compare, including the Zen 2 light downlight.

Which IP20 downlight for which decoration style?

Black blends into a dark ceiling or marks a clear contrast, white disappears on a painted ceiling. Modern, contemporary and minimalist styles dominate the selection, with a few zen, Nordic, industrial or rustic pieces. Wood warms, metal structures.

Black or white IP20 downlight: which look on the ceiling?

On a white ceiling, a white frame fades away and leaves only the light visible. Black asserts the line and draws a sharp point, especially in series. Compare the white LED downlights and the black LED downlights according to your ceiling.

Metal, wood or glass: the material changes the light

A wooden ball diffuses a warm light, a black glass lets through a more marked beam. The Novéa ball downlight illustrates the first case, the Tenebris downlight the second. A line of Tecno downlights in black metal keeps a clean ceiling.

All these models are covered by the 2-year warranty, with secure payment, tracked delivery and possible returns. Designix customer service remains available to confirm a socket or a colour before ordering.

Frequently asked questions about IP20 downlights