An electroluminescent (EL) device that includes a light-emitting area formed over a substrate. First and second electrodes and one or more EL unit(s) are included along with at least one light-emitting layer formed between the electrodes, wherein at least one electrode is transparent. A cover is located over the light-emitting area, and a light-scattering layer is located between the substrate and cover. The light-scattering layer includes transparent, light-scattering particles, wherein the ratio of the volume of light-scattering particles to the volume of the light-scattering layer is greater than 0.55 over a majority of the light-emitting area, wherein either the substrate or cover is transparent and transmits light emitted from the EL unit(s).