Lighting planning single-family house with LED recessed spots - quantity and position

Is it because of the LEDs now? Without them it would be difficult to impossible nowadays.

No, LEDs in lampshades, desk lamps, bedside lamps, etc. are fine. Then you only see the lampshade and it has a cozy aura. For example, we also have many floor/wall/table lamps with E27 and E14 sockets with LEDs in them. What is not okay are large plastic surfaces that emit light. That then looks rather puristic, cool, and uncomfortable.

Which spotlights have you planned for that? That mainly depends on beam angle and luminous flux as well as the desired brightness. With the currently planned quantity, you are probably aiming for the usual 300 - 500 lm GU10 variants, right?

Exactly. I would have intuitively assumed that they are comparable to the earlier halogen ceiling spots. We currently have 8 of those in the bathroom (9.5 sqm) and 5 in the hallway (9 sqm). That is okay in terms of light output. In the office, we currently have 5 pieces for about 11 sqm, which is clearly too dark. Therefore, I tried to keep the ratio of spots / sqm at a similar level in hallway and bathroom.

Exactly.

Then you should really take a look at larger/stronger spotlights. That way, you reduce the number of light sources needed and can still achieve more brightness.

Then you should really take a look at bigger/stronger spotlights. This way you reduce the number of light sources needed and can still achieve more brightness.

I really liked the idea. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work. I just talked to the construction company; they only make the openings for the spots in the one standard size (reinforced concrete ceiling). So since bigger spots also need a bigger opening, it doesn’t work. :(

I liked the idea. Unfortunately, it doesn't work. I just talked to the construction company, they only make the openings for the spotlights in one standard size (reinforced concrete ceiling). So since larger spotlights also need a larger opening, it doesn't work. :(

That is of course unfortunate. However, there are also small "real" LED spotlights that offer more power with the same dimensions. For example, take a look at Illuxtron.

From the ceiling work onwards, we only had standard sizes called "Hallox boxes" with, I believe, a diameter of 160mm. You can also fit smaller ones in there. (Later, you just drill the hole (diameter) you need for that spot at that location. Be careful, keep an eye on the costs with this quantity (with us, a box from the ceiling work cost about €50, so that adds up for you, which the company will surely pass on to you directly or at a higher rate. ;-)

If they are the 160s or now 180s, that's fine. If they are only 100s, it will be tight.