If you’ve seriously thought about making upgrades to your exterior lighting, you’ve probably reached out to an electrician about the matter. They may have mentioned the terms “uplighting” and “downlighting” without feeling explaining them. You may think the differences are relatively self-explanatory – one light points upward, with another pointing downward.
These terms mean more than just upward or downward, and these other “issues” are worth looking into before you decide which one to go with.
What does Uplighting Mean?
The term uplighting means lights installed at ground level and pointed upward to lighten your house. With this lighting, you can highlight certain areas of your home and surrounding property, such as landscape, trees and architecture. If you have a large home and want a light that illuminates the high parts, then you’ll want to uplight.
This kind of lighting is also suitable for creating surface depth and shadows and also giving layers to the lighting. It can also produce boundaries around your property. These lights are often called spotlights or bullet lights.
2 Key Uplight Fixtures for Your Home
- Wall Scores – These are usually used for uplighting purposes, mounted on the wall and pointed upward. This style of lighting goes back to Classical antiquity when it was used to hold candles and torches. They are used as night lights for bathrooms and hallways and can produce a mood lighting effect.
- Deck Lights – These lights have the propensity to generate an amazing light effect with their subtle style. Subtly is the key here, and don’t have an emphasis on the limelight. Installation of these lights can be found outdoors, such as in flowerbeds, laws, terraces, driveways, etc. However, each light needs to be installed correctly, regardless of the surface being installed on. Consider how the light will be used to determine if you want to walk or drive over your lights.
What does Downlighting Mean?
This term is applied to any light installed at a high point around or on the home to shine onto the property. It’s also a way to accentuate textures and layers on the home’s outside. The difference between them is that uplighting offers security to a home, whereas downlighting focuses on creating an inviting feeling.
Downlighting is usually installed to accentuate above-ground features, such as fountains or landscapes, when the day turns to night. It can also be used for parties and finding paths toward the home and back for your family and visitors.
4 Key Downlight Fixtures
- Barn Lights – These fixtures offer lighting to barns, farmhouses and workshops. The gooseneck light is noted by its downward-pointed shade and wall-mounted arm.
- UFO High Bay Lights – UFO High bay lights are typically defined as those round lights which are installed on the ceiling over 18ft. Besides, high bay lights are often used with reflectors.
- Decorative Pendant Style Light Fixture – The light is hung from the ceiling by a chain.
- Recessed Lighting – These lights are installed in ceilings to generate light, particularly in the living room, bedroom, dining room, basement, etc. However, they are also installed in commercial buildings such as offices, meeting rooms, etc.
- Table Lamp – This kind of light is often seen as a desk or night table accessory, so you can easily read or spend time in the light without an overhead light.
Should You Get Uplighting or Downlighting Fixtures?
The easiest way to determine if uplighting or downlighting fixtures are best is to determine what you want from the light. If you want to add security and accentuate your home’s features, then you want an uplight fixture. However, if you want to accentuate the features around the home, so it looks inviting and taller, then you want to purchase downlight fixtures.
