Shed Light on Finding the Right Bulb

Have you ever thought about the importance of lighting in your home? Whether you need task lighting to work on your laptop, or a soft lighting option to binge-watch your favorite show, the right lighting can make all the difference.

First, you’ll have to keep in mind that light bulbs come in different shapes and sizes. In addition to sizes, there are also varying fitting types. The easiest way to replace an existing bulb is to unscrew it and check the specifications listed on the bulb itself.

Keep reading to learn more about other considerations to determine the best light bulb for each room in your home.

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Wattage vs. Lumens

Two critical factors in choosing the best light bulb are wattage and lumens. A watt is a unit of power, while a lumen is the measurement of total light output. Lumens will tell you the degree of brightness a particular bulb will provide, while the wattage will indicate how much energy the bulb will use per second.

Types of Bulbs

Generally speaking, there are three primary types of bulbs:

  • Light Emitting Diode (LED) – the primary light source used today that is energy efficient and typically lasts longer than traditional incandescent bulbs
  • Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) – offers an energy-efficient twist on conventional incandescent application and utilizes a spiral design
  • Incandescent (including Halogen) – less efficient than LED lighting with a shorter lifetime of 1,000 hours versus 10,000 hours for CFLs or 20,000 hours for LEDs

For additional details about LEDs, click here.

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Hue of Light

The hue of each light bulb is determined by where it falls on the Kelvin temperature scale. Hues can range from cold (blue tones) to warm (yellow tones). You’ll have to consider your overall decor when determining a hue that will match best.

Lighting Needs

Lastly, you’ll want to consider what type of light requirements each room in your home will need. For example, your kitchen is likely to need very bright lighting. Alternatively, an entryway or dining room might not require as much light.

Now that you’re ready to find the right light bulbs for your home, take a look at this article to bring your style to light with an overall home lighting design plan!