A recessed LED spotlight sits in the ceiling, with only its trim visible: it provides light without taking up space in the living room, kitchen, hallway, bathroom, or staircase. Fixed or adjustable, dimmable, IP65 waterproof, and extra-flat: choose the right model for your ceiling, its available depth, and the room, with a 2-year warranty, free returns within 30 days, and shipping within 72 hours.
Why choose recessed LED spotlights?
- They are discreet. Only the trim remains visible: the spotlight blends into the ceiling, keeping the decor in the foreground.
- They provide even lighting. Spread across the ceiling, they give off uniform light without shadows.
- They suit all ceiling heights, including low ceilings, because they do not protrude into the room.
- They are robust. An LED has no fragile filament: it withstands shocks and vibrations better than a standard light bulb.
- They consume little energy and produce little heat. For the same amount of light, an LED consumes significantly less energy than a halogen spotlight and produces much less heat.
- They suit every use: fixed for general lighting, adjustable for a specific area, waterproof for wet rooms, and dimmable to vary the ambiance.
Recessed spotlight, ceiling light, or track spotlight: what's the difference?
A recessed spotlight sits in a hole cut into the ceiling (false ceiling or suspended ceiling): it requires space above. A ceiling light is mounted flush against the ceiling without cutting into it. A track spotlight is mounted on a surface-mounted track: it can be moved and aimed as desired, without being recessed. The recessed spotlight is the most discreet, but it also requires the most preparation.
Before buying: what to check on your ceiling
With a recessed spotlight, the product sheet is just as important as the design. Three measurements to check:
| To check | Why | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Recess depth | The space required above the ceiling to house the spotlight | Depending on the model: around 30 mm for an extra-flat spotlight, around 60 mm minimum for many spotlights with replaceable GU10 bulbs, and over 100 mm for some |
| Cut-out diameter | The size of the hole to be made. This is not the visible diameter of the spotlight | Often between 60 and 90 mm, indicated on the product sheet |
| Clearance around | The spotlight produces heat: it must be able to dissipate it | Follow the instructions (some manufacturers recommend around 15 cm of clearance) |
These are indicative guidelines: only the product sheet and instructions are authoritative.
In what kind of ceiling? Recessed spotlights are installed in a plasterboard false ceiling (such as BA13), a suspended ceiling, or a technical structure. In a solid concrete ceiling, they cannot be recessed: you will need a false ceiling or choose surface-mounted or track spotlights.
How many recessed spotlights do you need, and how should they be placed?
The calculation is simple: area × lumens per m² ÷ lumens per spotlight.
Example: a 20 m² living room requiring 150 lm/m² needs 3,000 lumens. With 400-lumen spotlights, you will need 8 (3,000 ÷ 400 = 7.5).
| Room | Lumens per m² (guide) | Temperature | Minimum IP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hallway, entrance | 100 to 150 | 2700 to 3000 K | IP20 |
| Living room, lounge | 100 to 200 | 2700 to 3000 K | IP20 |
| Bedroom | 100 to 150 | 2700 K | IP20 |
| Kitchen | 250 to 300 | 3000 to 4000 K | IP20 (IP44 near the sink) |
| Bathroom | 200 to 300 | 3000 to 4000 K | Minimum IP44, IP65 near water |
| Office | 300 to 500 | 4000 K | IP20 |
And in watts? Lumens are what matter, not watts. As a guide, with an LED producing around 90 to 110 lumens per watt, a 400-lumen spotlight consumes approximately 4 to 5 W, and an 800-lumen spotlight around 8 to 9 W. Always check the lumens on the product sheet.
To place them: distribute them evenly, leaving around 1 to 1.5 m between spotlights and 60 to 80 cm between a spotlight and the wall. For a reading nook or worktop, add an adjustable spotlight or dedicated lighting. These are indicative guidelines, to be adjusted according to the ceiling height and wall colour: a dark room requires more light.
Browse the selection above and use the collection filters to find the spotlight that suits your room.
Which type of recessed spotlight should you choose?
- Fixed spotlight: the light is directed downwards, with a wide beam to illuminate the entire room. This is the choice for general lighting.
- Adjustable or tiltable spotlight: the head pivots to direct the light onto a painting, worktop, headboard, or reading nook. The beam pivots depending on the model, from a few degrees to over 30°. A recessed trim (anti-glare) reduces discomfort when looking at the spotlight from the sofa or bed.
- Waterproof spotlight (IP44, IP65): for the bathroom, kitchen, garage, or covered outdoor ceiling.
- Mini recessed spotlight: small diameter (around 35 to 55 mm), for a discreet effect, staircase, or niche.
- Extra-flat spotlight: very shallow recess depth, for a ceiling with little space above or for renovation.
- Borderless spotlight: an almost invisible trim, for a very sleek look.
- Round or square spotlight: round is the most common, while square follows the lines of a more graphic room.
- Spotlight with coloured trim: white, black, gold, nickel, or stainless steel, to match handles, taps, or decor.
- Dimmable or adjustable temperature (CCT) spotlight: to change the intensity, or switch from warm white to neutral white depending on the time of day.
Which spotlights for which room?
- Living room and dining room: dimmable spotlights in warm white, distributed evenly. Complement with a floor lamp or pendant light to create zones.
- Bedroom: warm white (2700 K) spotlights, dimmable, to complement a bedside lamp. Avoid placing them directly above the headboard: the light shines directly into your eyes when lying down.
- Hallway and entrance: a row of fixed spotlights, spaced evenly, avoids dark areas between two points.
- Kitchen: neutral white (3000 to 4000 K) with a CRI of at least 80 (90 if possible) so that food retains its true colours, with IP44 near the sink and cooktops.
- Bathroom: waterproof spotlights, IP44 minimum in areas exposed to splashes, IP65 near the shower or bath. The required rating depends on the area: ask an electrician for advice if in doubt.
- Staircase: mini spotlights recessed into the wall, generally one spotlight every one to two steps, for low lighting that guides without glaring.
- Covered outdoor area (porch, sheltered terrace): IP65 spotlights, to withstand moisture and water splashes.
Which beam angle should you choose?
- Wide angle (around 90° to 120°): to illuminate an entire room, especially under a low ceiling, with uniform light.
- Medium angle (around 60°): a good compromise for a kitchen or office.
- Narrow angle (around 24° to 40°): for targeted light on a painting, piece of furniture, or worktop.
The wider the angle, the softer and more diffused the light. The narrower it is, the more directed and contrasted.
Which recessed spotlight for a low ceiling?
Choose an extra-flat spotlight with a shallow recess depth (some models only require 30 to 40 mm), with a wide beam (90° to 120°) to illuminate evenly without descending into the room. Check the available depth above your ceiling before ordering.
Temperature, CRI, and dimming
- Colour temperature: warm white (2700 to 3000 K) for a warm ambiance, neutral white (3500 to 4000 K) for versatile use, cool white (5000 K and above) for a garage or workshop. A spotlight has a given temperature, except for CCT models with adjustable temperature.
- CRI (Colour Rendering Index): aim for at least 80 so that colours appear natural, and 90 in the kitchen and on a worktop.
- Dimmer: to vary the intensity, you need a dimmable spotlight and a compatible dimmer. A non-dimmable spotlight with a dimmer may flicker or hum.
Installing recessed spotlights safely
- Turn off the power at the circuit breaker and check that there is no longer any voltage.
- Mark the locations, avoiding rails, conduits, and cables in the ceiling.
- Drill with a hole saw of the diameter indicated on the product sheet.
- Connect the wires (phase, neutral, and earth if the spotlight is Class I) with a terminal block or connector. Some spotlights operate directly on 230 V, others require a transformer or driver provided: check the product sheet.
- Insert the spotlight: the spring clips fold back and then hold it flush against the ceiling.
- Restore the power and test.
Insulated ceiling: if insulation is installed above, choose a spotlight designed to be covered, with a heat sink, and for insulated and airtight ceilings if your project requires it. Never cover a spotlight that is not designed for this: it could overheat. Staircase: have the power supply checked by a professional before any modification. At the slightest doubt about the wiring, call an electrician.
Replacing old halogen spotlights with LEDs
Switching to LED reduces consumption and heat, and the lifespan is much longer, often several tens of thousands of hours depending on the models compared to a few thousand hours for a halogen: refer to the manufacturer's values on the product sheet. Check the socket (GU10 or GU5.3) and the cut-out diameter before replacing: a recessed LED spotlight can fit into an existing hole if the diameter is suitable.
Maintenance and changing the bulb
Turn off the power and let it cool. Dust the trim with a soft, slightly damp cloth, without abrasive products. If the bulb is replaceable, remove the ring or clips, remove the bulb (by turning it for a GU10, pulling it for a GU5.3) and insert a bulb of the same type. With an integrated LED, the entire spotlight needs to be replaced at the end of its life.
My spotlight is flickering or turning off: what should I check?
- Only one spotlight is flickering or not turning on: check its connection and that of the previous spotlight: a loose connection is the most common cause.
- The spotlights turn off and then back on after a few hours: some transformers or drivers shut down in case of overheating. Check that no insulation covers a spotlight not designed for this and that there is enough space around.
- The spotlights are flickering with a dimmer: check that the spotlights are dimmable and that the dimmer is compatible, and respect the minimum and maximum power of the dimmer.
For any doubt about the electrical installation, call an electrician.
Before ordering: what to check on the product sheet
- Recess depth and cut-out diameter.
- Lumens, colour temperature, CRI, and beam angle.
- IP rating, depending on the room.
- Dimmable or not, adjustable or fixed, integrated LED or replaceable bulb.
- Power supply (230 V, driver or transformer provided) and number of spotlights in the set.
- CE marking and instructions for use.
Our commitments
- 2-year warranty on our luminaires
- Returns without conditions within 30 days, return costs borne by us
- Responsive after-sales service for your questions before and after purchase
- Shipping within 72 hours
Frequently asked questions
How many recessed spotlights do you need per room?
Calculate the area multiplied by the lumens per m² of the room, divided by the lumens of a spotlight. For example, 8 spotlights of 400 lumens for a 20 m² living room.
How deep do you need to recess a spotlight?
Depending on the models, from around 30 mm for an extra-flat spotlight to over 100 mm. Check the recess depth and cut-out diameter on the product sheet.
Can you install recessed spotlights in an insulated ceiling?
Yes, with a spotlight designed to be covered with insulation, with a heat sink. Never cover a spotlight that is not designed for this.
What IP rating for a bathroom?
IP44 minimum in areas exposed to splashes, IP65 near the shower or bath. The required rating depends on the area: at the slightest doubt, ask an electrician for advice.
Can you put recessed spotlights in a bedroom?
Yes, in warm white and dimmable, to complement a bedside lamp. Avoid them directly above the headboard.
What warranty and what deadlines?
Our luminaires are guaranteed for 2 years, we ship within 72 hours, and you can return your order within 30 days, without conditions, at our expense.
Ready to choose your recessed LED spotlights? Browse our selection of ceiling spotlights and find the model that suits your ceiling.
Updated in October 2026 · Tips from the Lumiine team