Recessed and spot lighting,which use reflector light bulbs, was once rarely used in residential homes. It was generally found in businesses and public buildings. Retail stores use spot lighting to direct attention to merchandise or to a particular display. Theaters use the lighting to light stages and create mood. Restaurants sometimes use it to keep food warm. Most art galleries use recessed and directional lighting to illuminate paintings and sculptures. Eventually people saw how reflector light bulbs could be used at home, and they became more common and obtainable.

Reflected and spot lights are perfect names because they describe exactly what these fixtures do. Instead of open sockets, they use can-shaped enclosures and the silver colored surface reflects the light. Reflector light bulbs can be used in a strip, where each can be individually moved or used to focus on a single spot. In a shop this could be used to highlight an item while in the home it could be used to show off a family heirloom. Some reflected lights come in modules which can be set in place and turned on. Because they can be used in many manners, you should think of what you will be lighting before purchasing.

One important consideration is the diameter of the light. Do you want to cast a large or small spot of light? Reflector light bulbs will be designated as R39, R50 up to R125, and the numbers indicate the size in millimeters. So R50 refers to a light bulb that is 50 millimeters. However, there can be variations between manufacturer and you may need assistance to determine the correct size for your enclosure. You should refer to the product description or contact the manufacturer if unsure of which reflector light bulbs to buy.

Another consideration is how the light will be mounted.Recessed lighting is generally inside a ceiling or wall, and the light surface is flush. For safety’s sake, you will want someone with electrical experience to install this kind of lighting, as improper wiring is a fire hazard. Other reflected light bulbs are already mounted on strips which you attach to the wall or ceiling and plug in, and should be fairly easy to install. Keep in mind that there are different mount bases available on the market, and you’ll need the one that fits the mounting you are using. Reflector light bulbs bases come in GU10, Bayonet Caps and Edison Screw mounts and the sizes range from small to large and the Edison even come in giant size.

Many homeowners find great pleasure in creating a warm and comfortable home with individual touches. Lighting is no longer limited to only task areas such as kitchens, desks, and reading areas. Now we use lighting to create ambience and highlight personal treasures. Reflector light bulbs allow people to ‘recreate’ the sun for our indoor houseplants and light our outdoor walkways. We use it to brighten curio shelves and spotlight family photos on a wall. In today’s homes reflected light use is only limited to our imagination.