What is Beam Angle? A Complete Guide by Murphy

When shopping for lights, whether for your home, office, or a special project, one of the terms you might come across is beam angle. At first glance, it may sound like a technical specification reserved for professionals, but in truth, it plays a big role in how your lighting looks and feels. Understanding beam angle helps you make better choices when it comes to brightness, ambience, and coverage. In this article, we’ll break it down in simple words, with clear examples, so you’ll know exactly what it means and how to use it when choosing Murphy lighting.

What is Beam Angle?

The beam angle of a light describes how wide the light spreads from its source. Imagine turning on a torch in a dark room. If the light spreads out widely, that’s a large beam angle. If the light shines in a narrow, concentrated line, that’s a small beam angle. In short, beam angle is about how narrow or wide the light beam is.

Murphy designs lighting products with different beam angles so you can match the effect to your needs. From focused spotlights to wide floodlights, the beam angle determines how the light falls on a surface and how it changes the atmosphere of a room.

Why Does Beam Angle Matter?

Beam angle is not just a number on a box—it directly affects how your room looks and feels. Here’s why it matters:

1. Coverage: A wider beam angle covers more area with softer, more even light. A narrower beam angle focuses on a smaller area with brighter, more intense light.
2. Mood: Wide beam angles create open, welcoming spaces. Narrow beam angles are great for drama, accents, or highlighting specific objects.
3. Practicality: Choosing the right beam angle means fewer shadows, less glare, and better energy use.

When using Murphy lighting, thinking about beam angle means you’ll be able to create the perfect atmosphere while making the most of each fixture.

Types of Beam Angles

Beam angles are usually measured in degrees. Here’s a simple breakdown:

• Narrow Spot (4°–15°): Focused and intense. Perfect for highlighting art, decor, or architectural features.
• Spot (15°–30°): Still concentrated, but with a bit more spread. Good for reading nooks or lighting up a small area.
• Flood (30°–60°): Balanced and versatile. Works well in living rooms, kitchens, or offices where general light is needed.
• Wide Flood (60°+): Soft and broad. Best for large areas like halls or gardens.

Murphy offers a range of lighting products that cover all these categories, so you can find exactly what you need for your space.

Examples of Beam Angle in Everyday Use

To make it even simpler, let’s look at how beam angle works in real situations:

• Living Room: If you want soft lighting that fills the room, go for a Murphy light with a wide flood beam angle.
• Dining Table: To create a cosy atmosphere while focusing light on the table, a Murphy spotlight with a narrower beam angle is ideal.
• Artwork: Want to highlight a painting? Use a Murphy narrow spot beam angle to draw attention to the piece without lighting the whole wall.
• Garden Path: For safety and style, Murphy floodlights with wider angles spread light across pathways, ensuring visibility and ambience.

How to Choose the Right Beam Angle

Choosing the right beam angle depends on what you want to achieve. Here are some tips:

1. Measure the Space: Larger spaces usually need wider beam angles.
2. Think About the Purpose: Is it for decoration, safety, or general lighting?
3. Match the Mood: Wide beams for relaxation, narrow beams for focus and drama.

Murphy lights are designed to make this decision easier. Each product includes clear information about beam angles, so you’ll always know what you’re getting.

Beam Angle and Brightness

It’s worth noting that the same bulb with different beam angles can feel brighter or dimmer. A narrow beam angle concentrates light in one spot, making it look brighter. A wide beam spreads the light, making it softer. When choosing a Murphy light, keep in mind that beam angle changes how the brightness feels in your room.

Common Mistakes When Choosing Beam Angle

Many people overlook beam angle and end up with lighting that doesn’t suit their needs. Here are a few common mistakes:

• Using a narrow beam for general lighting: This creates harsh light with dark shadows.
• Using a wide beam for accent lighting: This spreads light too much, losing focus on the object.
• Not considering ceiling height: Higher ceilings often need narrower beams to reach the floor with enough brightness.

Murphy helps avoid these mistakes by offering guidance and a range of beam angle options for different applications.

Beam Angle in Different Settings

Let’s go deeper and explore how Murphy lighting with the right beam angle works in various settings:

Homes

• Kitchen: Wide beam angles for worktops, but spotlights over the dining area.
• Bathroom: Wide, soft beams for safety and comfort.
• Bedroom: Narrow beams for reading lights, wide beams for ambience.

Offices

• Workstations: Focused lighting to reduce eye strain.
• Meeting Rooms: Balanced floodlights for clear visibility.

Outdoor Spaces

• Driveways: Wide beam floodlights for safety.
• Gardens: Narrow beams to highlight trees or features.

By choosing Murphy lighting with the right beam angle, you enhance both function and style.

How Murphy Makes Beam Angles Easy

Murphy understands that not everyone is an expert in lighting. That’s why their products are designed with clarity in mind. Each light is labelled with its beam angle, along with simple suggestions on where to use it. Whether you’re redesigning your home or upgrading outdoor spaces, Murphy provides practical options that balance quality, efficiency, and design.

Conclusion

Beam angle may sound like a technical detail, but it’s actually one of the most important things to consider when choosing lighting. It decides how light spreads, how bright it feels, and how your space looks overall. With Murphy lighting, you don’t need to worry about complicated choices—just think about your space, the mood you want, and the purpose of the light.

From narrow spotlights that highlight your favourite artwork to wide floodlights that brighten your garden, Murphy has a solution for every setting. Understanding beam angle means you can choose with confidence, creating spaces that feel comfortable, functional, and beautiful.

Final Thought: Next time you shop for a light, don’t just look at the brightness or design—check the beam angle. With Murphy, you’ll find the perfect balance of performance and style, making your lighting work exactly the way you want.