Spotlights can completely transform a room and are much easier to install than you would expect. Whether you purchase standard LED spotlights or those that can be smart controlled, the installation is the same.
We have installed spotlights in every bedroom as well as our kitchen that features 26 spotlights (as shown in the above image). Therefore, we have plenty of experience to point you in the right direction on how to install spotlights yourself.
What You’ll Need
- Tape measure
- Chalk line
- Stud finder or bradawl
- Cordless drill
- Hole saw set
- Lighting cable
- Spotlights
What’s Above The Ceiling?
Depending upon where you are installing spotlights will determine how you wire up the lights. For example, if the ceiling is below an attic/loft, you will need to gain access to it in order to feed the wire to the holes that you create in the ceiling. Alternatively, if there is another room above the ceiling, you will need to pull up the floorboards, which may be a task in itself. This is because the room may have carpet or other flooring installed and this will need to be lifted.
How To Install Spotlights
1. Decide Upon How Many Spotlights You Need
When it comes to installing spotlights, it’s important that you install enough to light up the room but you don’t want to install too many so that the ceiling looks overcrowded. As a general rule, it’s advised that you install one spotlight per square metre and space them at least 1/2 a metre away from any walls in the room.
2. Check For Joists
Before you begin marking out where you want to install the spotlights, you need to take a note of where the joists are in the ceiling. In order to do this, you can use a stud finder that will alert you of any joists or alternatively you can use a bradawl to poke through into the ceiling. If you use the bradawl method, you will need to use a decorating filler upon the holes that were made in the ceiling before painting.
3. Mark Out The Spotlights In The Ceiling
Now that you know the amount of spotlights you are going to install and where the joists are located, you will want to evenly mark out the spotlights in the ceiling. The cheapest and most effective way to do this is to use a chalk line.
In order to effectively use a chalk line, you need to measure the length and width of the room and mark equal distances for each line. For example, if you are installing two lines of six spotlights, you’ll need two vertical lines going through three horizontal lines. This will therefore give you six spotlights where the lines cross as shown in the image. After you have created the markings, you will want to measure each square to ensure the distance is equal before you begin to create holes in the ceiling.
4. Measure The Spotlight Size
Depending upon the size of the spotlight will determine the hole size you need to create in the ceiling. Every spotlight brand will state a measurement in millimetres and you’ll need to purchase a matching hole saw to create the hole.
5. Use A Hole Saw To Create The Opening
Connect the hole saw attachment to a cordless drill and align it in the centre of the horizontal and vertical lines where you want the spotlight to be installed (as shown in the photo). Once you are happy with the placement, simply drill through the ceiling to create the opening.
It’s worth pointing out that if you are creating a hole in the ceiling that contains Artex, you want to do so with caution. The reason for this is because some Artex ceilings may contain asbestos. Before cutting into our ceiling, we sent off a sample for testing and it was confirmed that it didn’t contain asbestos.
6. Wire The Spotlights In The Ceiling
Once the holes for the spotlights have been created, you can then begin to wire them up. Whether this is via a daisy chain configuration or junction boxes, the choice is completely up to you.
7. Fit The Spotlights
Now that the spotlights have been wired in and you have tested that they work from the switch, you can put them in place. The majority of spotlights slot in place on spring clips that securely grip the plasterboard.
Conclusion
Ceiling spotlights are a great solution to any bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom or hallway. They are easily adaptable and come in a range of shapes and sizes to suit all your requirements. In terms of the installation, it does require some DIY experience but it’s certainly something that’s doable. Below are some further action shots as well as a video of the hole saw in action to create the opening for the spotlights from our recent installation.
