ᐅ Buying Guide for Recessed Downlights in Shallow Mounting Situations

Hi everyone,

I currently need to purchase recessed spotlights for the entire house following a full renovation. The rooms involved are as follows:

• Kitchen: 8x recessed spotlights, slim, dimmable, adjustable
• Guest WC: 2x recessed spotlights, slim, fixed, non-dimmable
• Bathroom 1: 6x recessed spotlights, slim, IP44, fixed, non-dimmable
• Bathroom 2: 3x recessed spotlights, IP65, adjustable, non-dimmable
• Built-in wardrobes: 2x recessed spotlights, slim, fixed, non-dimmable

In total, this makes 21 recessed spotlights, with each room having different requirements. Most ceilings are flat suspended drywall with about 4cm (1.6 inches) clearance height. Only in Bathroom 2 is there more space. Due to the sloping roof in Bathroom 2, the spotlights are positioned close above the shower, so I would likely choose IP65-rated fixtures here. In the kitchen, I want adjustable spotlights so I can direct the light toward the countertop. I also want dimming there, which I plan to control via a dimmer relay, so I'm not entirely sure what specific type of bulbs will need to be supported.

Which manufacturers would you recommend for this? Does it make sense to go with Paulmann, or are the options from Amazon similarly good? What bothers me about Paulmann is that dimmable and IP-rated options quickly become quite expensive, especially when buying individual units.

--Lars-- schrieb:

I want swivel spotlights in the kitchen because I want to direct the lights toward the countertop.

It would make more sense for the recessed lights to be positioned above the work surface. Saying that they should be directed at the work surface sounds as if the person standing at the countertop is somewhere in between.

230 volts? I always go for the very cheap ones on Amazon. No-name from China. I keep 2-3 as spares. But I have never needed them so far.

For the countertops, I actually have separate lighting planned, for example under the wall cabinets or hanging above the island.

Should I then maybe avoid making the other lights adjustable and keep them fixed instead?

And what about the Amazon lights in terms of dimmability? I wanted to connect all eight to a Zigbee dimmer relay and dim them by adjusting the voltage. Does this usually work without flickering?

--Lars-- schrieb:

And what about the Amazon lights regarding dimmability? I wanted to connect all 8 to a Zigbee dimmer relay and dim them via voltage. Does that usually work without flickering?

I can’t tell you that. I only use the spotlights in selected areas because, for example, I find them terribly uncomfortable in the living room—even if they can be dimmed. So my experience is limited to non-dimmable versions, which, however, can be tilted or rotated.

Hello,

In your situation, I would probably opt for GU10 retrofit surface-mounted spotlights. This way, you have flexibility with the light bulbs and won’t have any issues with replacements in the future.

Best regards