Uplighting options

Used to create diffused indirect light, for vertical illumination, and to make space feel brighter and higher.

Type of light Distribution Effect Application
Suspended uplight Upward wide and diffused beam. The uplight causes a wash of light on the ceiling – this creates the feeling of brightness and height in a space. While the indirect lighting provides diffused horizontal illumination. Great over kitchen work benches where low glare is desired. Also good above desks in home offices. Make sure the fixture is above eye height.
Suspended up/downlight

1 Upward, wide and diffused beam.

2 Medium and diffused downlight.

 The uplight causes a wash of light on the ceiling – this creates the feeling of brightness and height in a space. The indirect lighting provides diffused horizontal illumination. While the downlight provides higher diffused illumination on horizontal surfaces below. Great over kitchen workbenches or above desks in home offices. Make sure the fixture is above eye height.
Surface wall uplight Upward, wide asymmetric and diffused beam The uplight causes a wash of light on the ceiling – this creates the feeling of brightness and height in a space. While the indirect lighting provides diffused horizontal illumination. Great for making any space feel brighter or emphasising its height. This technique can provide useful amounts of horizontal illumination in the surrounding area, so it might be good for home offices. Make sure the fixture is above eye height.
Recessed wall uplight Upward asymmetric and diffused beam. The uplight causes a wash of light on the immediate ceiling above the fixture. This creates the feeling of brightness and height in a space with a great deal of comfort. Great for making any space feel brighter or emphasising its height. Make sure the fixture is above eye height.
Surface floor uplight Upward asymmetric and diffused beam. The uplight causes a wash of light on the wall and ceiling – this creates the feeling of brightness and height in a space. While the indirect lighting provides diffused general illumination Great for making any space feel brighter or emphasising its height. It can also provide a nice change from most other lighting effects that come from above and point downwards. If you can, conceal the light fitting behind furniture or the TV so that the effect seems to come from nowhere. And choose a cool-to-touch fitting if it's close to surfaces or people.
Recessed floor uplight Upward asymmetric and diffused beam. The uplight causes a wash of light on the wall and ceiling – this creates the feeling of brightness and height in a space. While the indirect lighting provides diffused general illumination Great for making any space feel brighter or emphasising its height. It can also provide a nice change from most of the other lighting effects that come from above and point downwards. If you can, conceal the light fitting being furniture or the TV so that the effect seems to come from nowhere. Choose a cool-to-touch fitting if it's close to surfaces or people. And make sure the floor can deal with the heat of the fixture.