It may seem as though the spotlight is an aging lighting option, having been used in both the domestic and commercial sectors for decades. But there is little doubt that ceiling spotlights remain one of the most popular forms of lighting in both sectors today. In fact, there seems to be no signs of the spotlight falling out of favour at all. The reasons for this are simply the range of style and the cost efficiency that spotlights can boast, both of which are factors considered critical in the modern world. The availability of fluorescent light bulbs, for example, ensure that spotlights provide affordable lighting in any commercial situation, while their versatility in being recessed, attached flush on wall or ceiling surfaces or even as part of track lighting systems, means there is hardly an interior design that such lights cannot fit comfortably into. The most readily recognisable spotlights are those that are attached to tracks, usually on the ceiling, with a set of three or four lights directing light in different directions. This particular style is quite popular in modern or contemporary designed kitchens in a home, but are more common as lighting features in high street retail shops, where a similarly crisp contemporary interior design is preferred. Of course, spotlights are also popularly installed within casings inside the ceiling, where they are known better as recessed downlights, the reason being the only direction in which the light can go is downwards. They are housed in metal cases, known as cans, ensuring that the light bulb is actually flush with the ceiling line. This form is extremely discreet, and is considered to be extremely stylish, inspiring both domestic and commercial interior designers. Recessed lights come in a wide variety of styles and finishes, from the aesthetically pleasing but quite practical chrome frames, complete with lock rings to permit simple bulb changing, to the more sophisticated designed square framed downlights with drop glass cover. The lights can also be fixed, or include a gimbal to allow the direction of the light to be adjusted. Of course, energy consumption and efficiency are always important when it comes to lighting, and while energy saving light bulbs can make a huge difference, there is the option of the low voltage light to help reduce costs further. Low voltage is an alternative power rate to regular line voltage, which is generally a 230v. With the use of a transformer, the required voltage is reduced dramatically to just 12v. Normally, lighting fixtures are powered directly from the mains, adding considerably to the overall electricity bill of a business but, by converting the voltage consumed by so much, the costs fall dramatically, particularly since long lasting light bulbs can also be used to further improve the cost efficiency. One of the most important features of the low voltage recessed lighting option is the availability of MR16 type lamps. These lamps make it possible to fix a more concentrated beam of light on a given area, as they have a number of different beam scopes. It means that a narrow beam can be focused on one item or aspect of a product, much in the traditional sense of spot light. A perfect example of its usefulness is where a new laptop model is being displayed, a display that requires a narrow beam, not a wide one. However, if it is so desired the beam can be broadened to highlight an area of a room, large product or even promotional backgrounds, in much the same way that a flood light might. A good example of this type of use is in a kitchen showroom where a kitchen unit, complete with work top, cupboards, oven, fridge freezer and microwave may be highlighted from above with one wide beam. With such a versatile array of styles, sizes, and bulb and lighting options, there seems to be no room, showroom, office reception area or high street premises that ceiling spotlights cannot complement. Recessed, they can be discreet enough to add some class to the reception area of a modern office, or even modern five star hotel lobby, while on track lighting systems they add an urban feel to a high street clothing store. And with energy efficient fluorescent light bulbs and low voltage bulbs to choose from, they are every bit as affordable as their reputation suggests. The result is that they remain impossible to ignore on all counts, and ultimately highly desirable.