Lighting · 28 August 2026
LED downlights: how many you need and where to put them
Too few downlights leave dark corners, too many make a room feel like an office. Here is a simple way to work out how many each room needs, where to put them and which lights to choose.
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Lighting and downlightsKey takeaways
Downlights are the default light in most Gold Coast homes, and for good reason. They are neat, efficient and easy to control. The common mistake is treating the ceiling like a grid to fill. Good lighting puts light where you use it, keeps glare out of your eyes and leaves a few softer areas so the room does not feel flat.
This guide covers the spacing rule we use, typical numbers for each room, the specifications that matter and the mistakes we see most often.
How many downlights you need
A simple rule works for most rooms with a standard 2.4 m ceiling: space downlights about 1.2 to 1.5 m apart, and keep them roughly 0.6 to 0.75 m from the walls. Higher ceilings can take wider spacing with brighter lights. Raked ceilings need adjustable fittings so the light still points down where you need it.
Brightness matters as much as the count. Most modern LED downlights give out somewhere between 700 and 900 lumens. Fewer, brighter lights can work in a big open room, while smaller rooms look better with more, lower-output lights on a dimmer.
Room
Typical number
What works
Bedroom, about 3.5 x 3.5 m
4
Warm white on a dimmer. Keep lights off the bed head so nobody lies looking straight into one.
Living room, about 5 x 4 m
6 to 8
Warm white and dimmable, with a separate switch for each zone if the room is open plan.
Kitchen, about 4 x 3 m
6 to 8
Neutral white over the benches, plus pendants over an island. Place lights over the bench edge so you do not shadow your work.
Bathroom
2 to 4
Fittings near the shower need a water protection rating that suits that zone.
Hallway
One every 1.5 to 2 m
Lower output is fine. A switch at each end, or a sensor, helps at night.
A rough guide for 2.4 m ceilings. We plan every room on its size, use and ceiling.
Where to put them
If you are renovating, plan pendants and strip lighting at the same time. Our Robina kitchen relight combined dimmable downlights with pendants over the island, which gives bright task light for cooking and a softer setting in the evening from the same ceiling.
Choosing the right downlight
Colour temperature
Colour is measured in kelvin (K). Warm white, around 2700 to 3000 K, suits living areas and bedrooms. Neutral white, around 4000 K, suits kitchens, laundries, garages and workspaces. Tri-colour downlights have a small switch so you can choose on the day, which helps if you are unsure.
Insulation rating
Look for an IC-4 rating. It means the fitting can safely be covered by ceiling insulation, which keeps the insulation working and avoids the fire risk of older downlights that run hot. Many old halogen fittings need a clear space around them, which leaves gaps that let summer heat into the room.
Dimmers and drivers
Not every LED works with every dimmer. Mismatched parts flicker, buzz or will not dim smoothly. We supply downlights and dimmers that are designed to work together, so the lights dim evenly from full brightness to a low glow.
Replacing halogens
Halogen downlights run hot and use several times the power of an LED for the same light. Replacing them usually means removing the old transformer too, so the new LED and its driver are matched. In Queensland that is fixed wiring work for a licensed electrician.
What LED downlights cost on the Gold Coast
We supply and install LED downlights from $69 per light, replacing an existing fitting. New positions, extra switches, dimmers and smart controls are priced in your written quote.
LED downlight replacement
Supplied and installed, per light
from
$69
Typical living room, 6 lights
Existing positions, supplied and installed
from
$414
Typical 3-bedroom home, 20 lights
Whole-home LED replacement in existing positions
from
$1,380
Prices include GST. High or raked ceilings, tight roof access and new cable runs can add to the price. We tell you before we start.
Need a hand?
When to call a licensed electrician
Call a licensed electrician to replace halogen downlights, add new light positions, fit dimmers or move switches. All of it is fixed wiring, which in Queensland must be done by a licensed electrician. Call sooner if a downlight flickers, buzzes, smells hot or has scorched the ceiling around it, and switch that light off until it has been checked.
Downlight FAQ
How far apart should downlights be?
On a standard 2.4 m ceiling, about 1.2 to 1.5 m apart and roughly half that distance from the walls. Higher ceilings can take wider spacing with brighter fittings.
Warm white or cool white?
Warm white, around 2700 to 3000 K, for living areas and bedrooms. Neutral white, around 4000 K, for kitchens, laundries and garages. Tri-colour lights let you choose after installation.
Can I replace downlights myself?
Generally no. Downlights are part of the fixed wiring, and in Queensland changing them needs a licensed electrician. That includes removing old halogen transformers.
Are LED downlights worth it?
For most homes, yes. They use a fraction of the power of halogens, run much cooler and last for years. Replacing a house full of halogens makes a real difference to the power bill.
Do downlights need to be IC-4 rated?
It is the best choice for most homes, because insulation can cover the fitting. Fittings without the rating need clear space around them, which leaves gaps in the insulation.
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