Choosing the Right Light Fixture

Planning lighting correctly can have a big impact on user comfort, aesthetics, energy consumption and even how colors and objects are perceived. When choosing light fixtures for your project, it is important to consider the following key criteria:

• Installation
• Shape, material and finish
• Space application and regulations
• Technical characteristics
• Trends

ZUMTOBEL Hanging Light Fixture

There are quite a number of light fixture installations available, and choosing between them will largely depend on the space you have and the application.

Hanging light fixtures are ideal for high ceilings and general lighting. Large and decorative hanging light fixtures can also make great focal points for reception areas in large buildings.

Ceiling mounted lights are normally used for general lighting and are more appropriate for lower ceilings.

Wall mounted lights come in a variety of shapes and styles and are used in a number of applications. They can be used for general lighting and path lighting in circulation areas as well as accent lighting or reading lighting for living areas and bedrooms.

MARTINELLI LUCE Recessed Ceiling Light

Recessed light fixtures are ideal for providing subtle uniform lighting, but it is important to plan for cut-out holes and wiring installations within the architectural design.

Recessed ceiling lights for general lighting are much more subtle than surface mounted or hanging lights, so they are great for minimalist spaces. Light fixtures designed to fit into existing ceiling grids are more economical though less aesthetic than made-to-measure designs.

Recessed floor or ground lights are great for highlighting vertical surfaces such as columns, walls and trees. It is important to consider how shock and water resistant they need to be if in high traffic areas or outdoors.

Recessed wall lights can be great for accent, pathway, staircase and corridor lighting.

DELTA LIGHT Track Light

Downlights are small ceiling lights with a downward beam. They are normally recessed into the ceiling but are also available in surface mounted versions. They are often installed in multiples for evenly distributed general lighting, but can also be used for accent lighting.

Spotlights can be orientable and used for accent lighting or fixed and used for general lighting. Common applications include museums and shops for display lighting and product highlighting.

Track lights are particularly used in retail, museum and display environments because they are easy to install, and individual light fixtures can be changed, orientated or moved along the track. This is ideal for environments where lighting needs to be reconfigured regularly to highlight different products or areas.

LED strip lights can be used for wall washing, backlighting or highlighting architectural features, furniture or decorations.

NEMO Round Light Fixture

Light fixtures for large buildings are often installed in regularly spaced multiples for an even light distribution and to enhance the existing architecture without competing for attention.

• The most common shapes are linear, round and square.
• The most popular colors are white, black and gray.

Many light fixtures are available in a wider range of colors as well as unconventional shapes and materials to make a space more interesting or fit with an existing design scheme. In general, standard light fixtures are composed of:

• a housing (usually metal or plastic)
• wiring, a junction box (and transformer if necessary), a lamp holder and a lamp or light source
• a diffuser (usually plastic, glass or metal louvres) to direct / distribute the light
• a reflector to optimize brightness and distribution of the light

The design, shape and material of these elements can have an impact on the light distribution, as well as the weight and durability of the fixture.

SEC Emergency Ceiling Light

Some light fixtures have technical characteristics for a specific application, such as emergency lights, industrial lights and lighting for medical use.

• Emergency lighting is required for many public and multilevel buildings. These lights guide users safely outside a building in case of power outages or fire. They are often fire rated and rated in hours of autonomy (number of hours running in the event of a power failure).
• Industrial light fixtures are used in environments prone to dust, extreme temperatures, heavy traffic, vandalism or other hazards often requiring a high level of protection.
• Similarly, light fixtures for cleanrooms and medical use need high levels of protection from contaminants and are often designed for quick and easy cleaning.

NIMBUS Acoustic Light Fixture

Light fixture manufacturers are offering solutions to improve energy efficiency as well as health and well-being in the workplace.  For example, integrating UVC lighting into light fixtures disinfects spaces to combat covid-19 in public buildings.  Acoustic light fixtures incorporate sound absorbing materials for a quieter office environment.  Other solutions include lighting with IR occupation sensors and light fixtures connected to smart building systems for better lighting control and energy management.