Modern Light Fixtures

Lighting has undergone a revolution in the past twenty years. Unfortunately lighting manufacturers have not been so successful in educating their customers in how to take advantage of these exciting developments.

It is perceived that only the professional designer is equipped to benefit from these technological advances and that they are quite beyond the humble home owner - but nothing could be further from the truth.

The fittings may have changed, but just as we learned about the performance of low-tech lights, we can also come to understand how the latest models work. Perhaps the most intimidating factor to come to terms with is the sheer quantity and variety of fittings, added to which the multitude of bulbs can easily confuse. To help simplify matters the basic groupings are listed below.

Downlighters

As its name suggests, a Downlighters directs a beam of light downwards, thus focusing attention on the lower part of the room (a useful tool when you wish to distract attention from a too-high ceiling). The width of beam - narrow and intense or wide (flood) - depends upon the lamp and reflector installed, so the one fitting can be made to perform in various ways.

Downlighters may be surface-fixed (to ceiling, wall or track), semi-recessed (where there is limited space above the ceiling) or fully recessed (preferable if you wish to 'lose' the fitting).

Uplighters

Uplighters can come in the form of free-standing models for floor or table as well as pendant and wall-fixed versions. As you might imagine, they produce the opposite effect from that of a downlighler - that is, they direct light upwards.

They are especially effective when used to illuminate a beautiful beamed or decorative ceiling. A free-standing model, placed on the floor or on a table (miniature versions are available), can be used successfully to cast a beam of light on an adjacent wall - invaluable for lighting pictures when picture lights and wall washers are not a practical alternative.

Wall Washers

A wall washer is a type of downlighter which, instead of directing light immediately below the fitting, casts a beam of light to the side. Positioned in a ceiling at approximately lm away from an adjacent wall, it will flood that wall with light. Where you need to light a large wall hanging or collection of pictures, this fitting would provide the perfect answer.

Spotlights

Perhaps more popular in the past when it was considered fashionable for such fittings to be visible and very much part of the lighting scheme, the use of spotlights in modem residential interiors has somewhat declined and they have been superseded by more discreet fittings. However, they are an excellent highlighting tool and, being highly directional, allow you to change your lighting arrangement as the room use changes.

Michelle hes been managing her own successful interior design business since early 2000, and has been publishing home and living room design ideas and tips since 2005. On her modern ceiling fans blog, Michelle recently wrote about the effective use of outdoor ceiling fans to bring extra comfort to outdoor dining.

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