LED Bulkheads

Look first at the room you want to light, then at the colour temperature and the diffusion of the diffuser. An LED downlight is fixed to the ceiling or the wall, lights a compact area and replaces a ceiling light in corridors, damp rooms or on a facade. This collection brings together indoor, outdoor and sensor models, to be chosen according to the real use of the room.

What is an LED downlight?

An LED downlight is a compact luminaire, flat or slightly domed, which is fixed to the ceiling or the wall and concentrates light on a small area. Round shapes dominate, square ones complete the range, and a diffuser placed in front of the diodes softens the source to avoid direct glare. The housing is mounted on the ceiling, more rarely on the wall when the room allows it.

The difference with a ceiling light lies in the footprint: the downlight stays discreet, almost flush, whereas a ceiling light clearly occupies the volume. That is what makes it practical under a limited ceiling height or in a narrow corridor. Find the available formats in our selection of ceiling downlights, and the other lighting families in the Designix lighting range.

Indoor LED downlight: where to install it?

In a living room, the indoor LED downlight serves as general lighting when there is not enough height for a pendant light. It finds its place in a hallway, an entrance, a cellar, a garage or a bathroom, that is, wherever you want to see clearly without taking up space. Its downward light, wide and even, suits corridors and utility rooms.

Outdoor LED downlight: what changes in the rain

Outside, the housing and the seal change everything. An outdoor downlight gets a closed housing and screws that do not rust, which protects it from rain and splashes. Check the protection rating on the product sheet before ordering. Our outdoor downlights are fixed on a facade, under a canopy or above a door.

LED ceiling light for the living room: how to choose the right light?

For a living room, an LED ceiling light is chosen on colour temperature, light diffusion and the size of the luminaire relative to the room. A warm, well diffused light suits relaxation areas, around 2700 to 3000 kelvins. Avoid a point that is too concentrated above the sofa or the coffee table, which creates a hard shadow and tires the eye.

The simple method: start from the desired effect, then check the dimensions of the luminaire and the nature of its diffuser. Frosted glass or an opal diffuser spreads the light, a model with an exposed source concentrates it. Browse all our downlights to compare formats, and our indoor luminaires if you are looking instead for a ceiling light with volume.

Modern LED ceiling light: which shapes and finishes to choose?

Round and flat shapes blend into the ceiling and go almost unnoticed. Square ones bring a more graphic line. As for the finish, a light shade or a matte white visually disappears, a black or brushed metal asserts the presence of the luminaire. The choice depends above all on the ceiling and the style of the furniture, not on a fixed rule.

LED ceiling lighting: how many light points per room?

In practice, combine a main source and a secondary source rather than multiplying downlights. A living room of about 20 m² is often enough with one well diffused central point, completed by a table lamp. A long corridor, on the other hand, requires several points spread along its length, evenly spaced to avoid dark areas.

LED downlight or LED wall light: which light for which wall?

The LED downlight lights downwards from the ceiling, the LED wall light lights a wall or a precise area at eye level. In a living room, the two are often combined: downlight for general lighting, wall light for reading or highlighting a section of wall. The two complement each other, they do not compete.

The useful reference is the direction of the beam. A downlight projects wide and low, a wall light projects high and narrow, which draws a halo on the wall. It is this halo that structures the room in the evening. See our LED downlight collection for the main source, and the complete Designix catalogue for wall lights.

Modern LED wall light: where on the wall?

It is mounted about 1.70 m from the floor for reading use, higher for ambient lighting. It is best placed on a wall perpendicular to the passage, to avoid having the source in your eyes when entering. Two symmetrical wall lights around a headboard or a mirror give a more balanced result than a single one.

When to choose a powerful LED wall light?

A powerful wall light is justified in a high entrance, a staircase or a very tall wall, where the halo must carry far. In a medium-sized room, a wall light that is too strong creates an unpleasant bright patch on the wall. Diffusion then matters more than raw power.

LED downlight with integrated motion sensor: how to adjust the detection?

An LED downlight with a motion sensor switches on when you pass and off after an adjustable time. Adjust the sensitivity according to the area covered: narrower in a corridor, wider in a garage. An indoor model is mounted on the ceiling, outdoor versions are fixed under a canopy or near a door.

Comfort comes from there: no more looking for the switch with your hands full, and the light does not stay on in an empty room. Our LED downlights with motion sensor cover indoor use, while the whole family of sensor downlights gathers fixed and adjustable models.

LED sensor downlight: what duration and sensitivity to set?

Start by pointing the detection head towards the passage area, never towards a window or a heat source. Then set the sensitivity to avoid unnecessary triggering, then the delay between thirty seconds and two minutes depending on the distance to be covered. Do a test by walking, then fine-tune.

Ceiling LED downlight with sensor: hallway, entrance, cellar, garage

In a corridor, the detection must be short so it does not switch on from the neighbouring room. In a garage or a cellar, on the contrary, it is widened to cover the arrival of the car or access to the stairs. The outdoor versions with sensor follow the same logic, in front of a door or on a driveway.

What are the drawbacks of LEDs?

LEDs have no major drawback: they heat little and consume little. They are sometimes criticised for a light that is too cold or for flickering, which come mainly from a low-end model or a poorly chosen colour temperature. A quality luminaire, well diffused, avoids these pitfalls.

The real point of vigilance is compatibility with an old dimmer, which can cause a buzzing or a flickering. Check this point on the sheet if your installation is equipped. For damp rooms, downlights designed for damp rooms also settle the question of durability over time.

LED chandelier for the living room: when it replaces the ceiling light

The LED chandelier is suitable when the room has height and a decorative volume above the table makes sense. It requires a solid support and a fixing suited to its weight. In a living room with a low ceiling, it clutters more than it brings.

Cuttable LED strip: how does it work?

A cuttable strip is cut only at the marked points, often every few modules: cutting elsewhere interrupts the circuit and part of the strip no longer lights up. It is mainly used for indirect lighting, whereas the LED downlight lights a room from the ceiling.

Powerful LED ceiling light: which criteria to look at before buying?

A powerful LED ceiling light is judged first on the luminous flux stated on the sheet, then on the colour temperature and the diffusion. At equal power, a well diffused luminaire lights more comfortably than a single point. Also check the mounting height, because a powerful source that is too low dazzles.

A utility room, a cellar or a workshop require a wide and even light, not a spotlight that leaves shaded areas in the corners. A luminaire with automatic triggering simplifies use in a seldom-used passage. For a service corridor, downlights with integrated sensor prevent forgetting the light on.

Powerful ceiling LED downlight: read luminous flux and temperature

On some supplier sheets, the stated flux does not match the indicated power. In that case, rely on the power and the diffusion, and ignore the doubtful figure. The colour temperature, however, remains readable: a warm white around 3000 kelvins relaxes, a cooler white makes colours more neutral on a worktop.

LED high bay, LED batten or downlight: which luminaire for a utility room?

The LED high bay is made for great heights, where the light must come down from far. The LED batten suits linear low ceilings and long rooms. The LED downlight keeps its place under a standard ceiling, when you want a focused and discreet light.

Waterproof LED downlight: how to install and maintain it?

A waterproof LED downlight is chosen according to the protection rating indicated on its sheet, then mounted on the ceiling or the wall on a sound surface. Maintenance is limited to dry dusting; outdoors, check the seal and the screws once a year. The cooker and the shower are the two areas that require the most attention.

Our waterproof models cover damp rooms, and facade and terrace lighting meets the same requirements outside. For an outdoor space that switches on by itself, look at automatic outdoor lighting.

Installing an LED downlight on the ceiling: the checklist

Cut the power at the circuit breaker before any work. Check that the support is sound and that the screws match the ceiling material, plasterboard or concrete. Run the wiring protected from water, then tighten the housing without forcing the seal. Test the lighting before restoring the main power.

Maintaining an outdoor LED downlight

A dry cloth is enough for the diffuser, without abrasive product. Once a year, check the seal and slightly tighten the screws: this is what prevents infiltration and oxidation. If the diffuser turns yellow, the luminaire has reached the end of its life.

Secure payment, tracked delivery, returns and Designix customer service support you from choice to installation. Discover LED downlights from the collection and our indoor luminaires to complete the lighting of a room.

Frequently asked questions