On this page you will find three types of outdoor recessed lamps: on a stem with the base in the ground, flush with the floor and in the wall. They differ in effect and in the work needed to install them.
Outdoor recessed lamps on a stem
From above you see only the stem with the light, while the base sits in the ground. Brisa by Vibia is about 100 cm tall and has one, three or five arms. June by Vibia has one or two opal blown glass spheres and reaches 80 or 120 cm. Bamboo by Vibia, by Antoni Arola and Enric Rodríguez, recalls the plant of the same name, with heights from 60 to 270 cm. Minuit by Karman, by Matteo Ugolini and Edmondo Testaguzza, has slender stems with small glowing globes; Atmosphere by Karman, by Matteo Ugolini, carries a glowing sphere on a long fibreglass rod. Brisa is IP64 or IP65 depending on the version, June is IP65. Many of these models also come in a surface-mounted version or with a spike: check that you have chosen the right one.
Outdoor recessed spotlights: light at ground level
Cyklope by Isyluce is recessed into the floor: it is made of aluminium, with a stainless steel frame and 8 mm tempered glass, has a 12 cm diameter and is 14 cm deep. If a spotlight sits in the floor, it must withstand brief immersion: look for at least IP67. Also check whether it can be walked on or can take cars driving over it: IP67 does not tell you that. If the product page does not give these details, ask us to confirm before ordering. More models are among the outdoor spotlights.
Recessed outdoor step lights
Monnalisa and Vetronotte by Isyluce are recessed into the wall and mark steps and edges. They are made of aluminium, IP65, with a light at 3000 or 4000 K. Monnalisa is grey and also suits indoor use, Vetronotte is white, with two glass diffusers.
Before you dig: water and drainage
For a floor spotlight, water is the first problem. Do not choose a hollow or a spot where water pools. Under the spotlight you usually need a draining layer of sand or gravel, about 20–45 cm: thickness and material vary with the soil and the manufacturer. A simple test: fill the hole with water and see how long it takes to drain. If it stays for a long time, extra drainage is needed.
For stem lamps, follow the manufacturer's instructions on the base and cable. In any case, the junction box must also have a rating suited to the location. Digging, the cable and the connection are a job for an electrician.
If you would rather avoid digging, see the other outdoor lamps: many rest on a base or are fixed with a spike.
