Welcome to Eurolux Pty Limited importer and distributor of light fittings and light sources in southern africa. We offer outstanding quality, choice, and an extensive range of lighting solutions. Our unique lighting experience showrooms offer your company or home energy saving lighting throughout the southern tip of africa.

:: Ambiance or Functionality? How do I combine both?

There are six main varieties of lighting to consider for a lounge:

• Uplighters

• Table and floor lamps

• Downlighters

• Hanging lights (pendants, chandeliers and fans)

• Wall lamps

• Spotlights

Uplighters

Uplighters, as the name suggests, illuminate upwards to the ceiling, minimising glare thus making them more comfortable on the eye. By illuminating the ceiling, uplighters create the illusion of a larger room, which is particularly important in smaller homes. Another effect is that the ceiling appears to be the source of light and when the light reflects down, it creates a softer, even spread of light.

Many uplighters have dimmer switches so you can control the amount of light emitted within a room. An uplighter is versatile in that you could dim the light to watch television or increase the light for informal conversation or to complete a puzzle.

While uplighters are ideal for white ceilings, they are ineffective for thatch or wooden panel ceilings.

Uplighters can also be used very creatively, for instance, you can place an uplighter in a corner behind a chair, behind a couch or inside a plant (use a garden spike so you can continue watering the plant normally). You can use different coloured lights to create an ambiance, and you can change the globes to create a dramatic effect. Uplighters, such as the CD uplighter, can be both functional and decorative, while some uplighters use glass diffusers to create a softer effect next to your hi-fi or TV.

Table & Floor Lamps

Table and floor lamps concentrate light into a small area and enhance the décor of the room by creating a bridge between the furnishings and the lighting. Lampshades also diffuse light and soften its impact thus adding to the overall ambiance of the room.

Downlighters

Downlighters are recessed into the ceiling and offer an even spread of light. They have become very popular with several styles and sizes available. They should ideally be spaced 1.5 – 2 metres apart, depending on usage and height of your ceiling. Generally the higher your ceiling, the more downlighters you need unless you want to create a softer effect.

Low voltage Halogen lamps have a white light that brings out the true colours and are ideal for highlighting artwork, ornaments or a special feature, while mains voltage lamps have a warmer white light (containing more yellow), which give off a softer overall effect but may dull colours or sometimes create the impression that the object has a different hue.

Downlighters can be angled to focus on artwork, ornaments and plants. As an uplighter placed inside a planter will create a silhouette, a downlighter will illuminate the plant from above and throw shadows onto the wall.

Downlighters are often dimmable, so the amount of light within a room can be controlled. Downlighters can also be used as supplement lights in cabinets, nooks, and inside a bay window.

Hanging lights:

Pendants, Chandeliers and Ceiling Fans

Hanging lights are decorative features that create a bright focus in the centre of the room leaving the corners darker. Take care not to choose one that overpowers the room or it will look awkward. A large chandelier in a double-volume lounge looks great.

Chandeliers contain multiple lights while a pendant is a single light fitting.

Many hanging lights have upfacing glass fittings that diffuse the light, thus cutting glare. Lights with downfacing fittings may be easier to clean but the light source (globe) is visible and will not illuminate the ceiling, so the effect is more focused and intimate.

Metal or satin chrome pendants with downfacing fittings obviously cannot light upwards and are not recommended for small rooms. If you already have a metal pendant, use an uplighter in a corner to off set the effect.

Wall Lights

Wall fittings can be used effectively to:

• Create effects on a wall

• Illuminate passages

• Enhance the overall décor by matching a pendant with two wall fittings

• Create an impact at an entrance door

• Create highlights on either side of a fireplace

Generally wall lamps are fitted at eye level and most have glass shades to diffuse the light and reduce any harshness. Most wall lights are part of a family so you can match them with your chandeliers or pendants to complete the theme of your room.

Wall lights are also ideal for highlighting pictures. By reflecting light off the artwork into the room, you will create a strong point of interest around your picture.

Spotlights

Spotlights should be used to highlight features in and around the home, and not used as standard light fittings.

If you already have spotlights fitted as your standard fittings, consider using a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) with a 180° beam, which will give a wider, more even spread of light. Another advantage is that the lamp fitting won’t deteriorate as quickly because CFLs give off less heat than regular light bulbs. Of course, they save up to 80% on your lighting bill and last about 6 times longer than normal globes, thus saving you time and money.