Shopping for light bulbs may appear to be an easy task, but did you know that there are many factors to consider in order to pick the right one? Chandeliers, pendant lights and other lighting fixtures in your home use different types of light bulbs in terms of their basic structure, voltage and wattage. In addition to that, you’ll also want to choose the most efficient bulbs that can deliver the best lighting in case you’re aiming to create a specific ambience in your living space or work area.

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This is where the more complicated parameters of lighting come in. Unless you’re already an expert in lighting, factors such as illuminance, temperature, and color rendering index may sound strange to you. However, these are equally important benchmarks that need to be looked into. With the extensive array of light bulbs on the market plus the complex technicalities that need to be considered, choosing the right bulbs for your lighting fixtures can indeed get daunting. For this reason, we have put together a comprehensive guide to help you in your selection process.

Primary Characteristics of a Light Bulb

These are the fundamental factors you need to determine before heading off to your nearest hardware or Home Depot to purchase your light bulbs. Be sure to get each one right for the perfect fit, function and energy consumption.

Cap or Base Type

The cap or base of a light bulb is the metal part that connects the bulb to the socket of a lighting fixture. It provides electrical contact and helps secure the bulb into the fitting. The two most common bulbs used in chandeliers and other home lighting fixtures come with screw bases and pin or peg bases.

• Screw: Also known as an Edison base

• Pins or Pegs: These bases usually have two metal rods or stumps sticking out at the bottom of the bulb and are pushed or snapped onto the socket instead of being screwed on. They are used in many small incandescent light bulbs as well as some types of fluorescent lamps.

Identifying the correct cap or base type is crucial when buying bulbs for your lighting fixtures. If your fixture already has a bulb, you can remove it to check for the size and base type. Just bring the old bulb to your nearest hardware or home depot when buying a new one. However, if the light fixture is brand new and does not come with a bulb, write down the fitting reference number to find a bulb that matches its specifications.

Light bulbs are coded to determine their base type or fitting. The letters stand for the name of the base while the numbers indicate their diameter in millimeters. For instance, an E27 bulb is an Edison screw type bulb with a diameter of 27 millimeters. An E14, on the other hand, has the same base but will fit a smaller socket.

Voltage

Voltage is best described as the pressure of electricity that flows into an electronic device. It is measured in units referred to a volts. The standard voltage supply for homes in the US is 120 volts, which is why most of your indoor lighting will require 110-120 volt bulbs. Outdoor light fixtures, on the other hand, generally require low voltage lighting using 12 or 24-volt bulbs.  The reason low voltage lighting is recommended for the outdoors all boils down to safety. The risk of electric shock is significantly reduced, considering that outdoor lighting has a higher chance of being exposed to the elements.

You can find voltage information indicated on the bulb itself or printed on its packaging. For maximum lighting efficiency, always buy bulbs that match the supplied voltage of your fixture. Using one with the wrong voltage won’t turn the lights on. Worse, it can even damage both the bulb and your light fixture.

Wattage

Wattage refers to the amount of energy used by a light bulb and is measured in watts. In the past, it was also used to determine brightness when bulb options were only limited to incandescent bulbs and halogen bulbs. With the advent of energy-saving bulbs, however, we can no longer rely on wattage to determine how bright a bulb is. LED bulbs, for instance, are lower wattage bulbs that deliver significantly higher brightness.

These days, brightness is measured in units of luminous flux known as lumens (lms). Lumens indicate the amount of light the bulb emits regardless of the wattage it uses. The higher the lumens, the more light a bulb produces. It is a more accurate indicator of brightness and you can find light bulbs with higher lumen values at lower wattages. This translates to better lighting at a much lower energy cost.

We recommend the use of LED bulbs to get the highest light output or lumens per watt. LEDs emit between 70-90 lumens per watt, compared to incandescent bulbs which produce only 10 lumens per watt. For example, a 5w LED lamp is equivalent to a 35-45 watt incandescent.

Note: We recommend using LED bulbs. Incandescent and halogen lamps are not recommended.

Still, wattage remains an important consideration when it comes to power consumption. The higher the wattage of your light bulbs, the higher your electric bill. Wattage also matters since lighting fixtures come with maximum wattage ratings. This means there’s a limit to the wattage of light bulbs you can use on different light fixtures.

When purchasing bulbs, know the maximum wattage rating of the fixture or use the wattage of an old bulb as a guide. To be on the safe side, opt for a lower wattage bulb with higher lumens. Never use a higher wattage bulb as this can damage your fixture or even become a potential fire hazard.

Other Parameters to Consider When Choosing Light Bulbs

Choosing bulbs for your lighting fixtures goes beyond just getting the correct base type, voltage and wattage. There are other factors that can drastically improve both the function and aesthetics of your living space. Let’s take a look a look at three lighting parameters that can offer your more comfort and convenience, especially if you’re targeting to achieve a particular ambience.

Illuminance

Illuminance is a term used to measure the amount of light radiating from a light source and spreading over a given surface area. It can help you determine the level of brightness you’re aiming for in different areas of your home.

Illuminance is measured in lux (lx), which is not to be confused with lumens (lm). Lux measures the total amount of light that hits or falls on a particular surface (illuminance), while lumens measures the total amount of light a bulb emits in all directions (luminous flux).

Choosing light bulbs that deliver your preferred illuminance isn’t that difficult though. One lux is equivalent to one lumen per square meter of space, so you simply need to get the square footage of the area you want to light up to determine the brightness level you need.

For instance, light experts recommend 300-400 lumens per square meter of space in an office or study. If you have a 10-sqm home office, you’ll need around 3,000-4,000 lumens of light potency for the best illuminance.

Color Temperature

Color temperature refers to the warmth or coolness provided by a light source. It is measured in Kelvins (K) and the higher the Kelvin, the whiter or cooler the light. In the domestic setting, people typically prefer a warmer light source with a lower Kelvin rating in low illuminance spaces such as the bedroom, dining area and living room. A cooler light source with a higher Kelvin rating is generally recommended for areas that need high illuminance such as the kitchen, bath and study.

Below is a list and chart of color temperature classifications in residential applications:

• Soft white or candlelight (1,500 to 2,700 Kelvin): Mimics incandescent bulbs that are generally yellow for a warm and cozy ambience.

• Warm white (2,700 to 3,000 Kelvin): More yellowish-white in tone for a brighter yet still cozy atmosphere.

• Bright white (3,000 to 4,500 Kelvin): A mix of white and blue tones for a more lively and energetic feel.

• Daylight (4,500 to 6,500 Kelvin): More bluish in tone and provides maximum color contrast.

While specific color temperature value still boils down to personal preference, these are the general recommendations from experts in the lighting industry. Low color temperature generates warmer hues that easily set the mood for a relaxed and quiet atmosphere. Higher color temperature, on the other hand, creates brighter and whiter tones that are ideal for increasing productivity and performance in the work setting.

Color Rendering Index (CRI)

Color rendering index is a measure of how an artificial light source is able to render the actual colors of an object. The noon sun is often used as a reference point since it has a CRI of 100. The higher the CRI, the closer an object will resemble its true colors.

Artificial light sources with a low CRI cause color shifts and distortions which can result to visual fatigue. To get the best results, look for light bulbs with a higher color rendering index. A CRI of 80 and above is recommended for indoor lighting while a CRI of at least 65 is recommended for the outdoors.

Different Types of Light Bulbs

There are four basic types of light bulbs on the market: incandescent, halogen, CFL and LED. Below is a summary of the features of each.

1.Incandescent

Incandescent bulbs are your classic light bulbs that have been around since the 1800s. Light is produced by heating a wire filament to a specific temperature to generate light and heat. Incandescent bulbs are quite inefficient—90% of energy is used to heat up the filament and only 10% goes toward visible light. Incandescent bulbs may be the cheapest, but you end up paying more in electricity costs. They also have shorter lifespans (about 1000 hours) compared to other types of light bulbs.

2.Halogen

A halogen bulb is essentially an improved version of the incandescent bulb. The difference lies in heat emissions that convert more energy to light, making it more efficient. It also has a longer life and can last up to 2500 hours. Halogen bulbs come with heat-resistant quartz glass so they do not crack with the intense heat.  Halogen gas is added to prevent black spots normally associated with incandescents due to high heat.

3.Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL)

A compact fluorescent light (CFL) uses the same principle of operation as fluorescent tubes but in the shape of a light bulb. The advantage of this energy-saving light is that it is more compact, efficient, has good lumen maintenance, and radiates less heat. It is available in a wide range of shapes and sizes and has a longer service life of over 6000 hours. It also uses only one-third to one-fifth less energy compared to incandescent bulbs while radiating the same amount of visible light.

4.LED

LED stands for light-emitting diodes which is what LED bulbs use to produce light. Compared to conventional lighting sources that first convert electrical energy into heat in order to produce light, LED bulbs convert electric power directly into light. This delivers efficient light generation with little wasted electricity and no warm-up delay. LED bulbs also use lesser energy to deliver higher brightness and have the longest lifespan among the different bulb types (+50,000 hours). Although they are priced a bit higher, LED bulbs are currently the preferred mainstream light source because they are more cost efficient.

Choosing Light Bulbs for Different Rooms

One of the most frequent questions we get from customers at Sofary Lighting is about the type of bulbs to use for lighting fixtures in different rooms of their home. Proper lighting can completely transform a room, not just by brightening dark areas but by affecting your mood and disposition as well. Here we will give you information and offer suggestions on how color temperature and the brightness of your light bulbs will help create the right ambience in a particular space in your home.

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Living Room

The living room is a hub of activity so it will require lighting that is bright and warm. Most likely you have ahanging at the center and we recommend choosing neutral lighting with a color temperature of about 4000K or less. A higher color temperature will make your living room look cold and unwelcoming. Total brightness for your living room should be just around 1,500-3,000 lumens so it doesn’t get too overwhelming.

Dining Room

Illuminance will matter most in your dining room because the focus of the light source is generally on the dining table and the buffet or sideboard. Most homes will have ain the dining area and we recommend choosing warm white light at around 3000K. The total brightness should be around 3,000 - 6,000 lumens as the optimum level of warm light can make food look more appetizing and delicious.

Kitchen

The kitchen is one place in your home where bright lights are more important than ambience. We suggest opting for bright white or daylight bulbs of about 5500K for better illumination when preparing or cooking meals for your family. Also consider a CRI of at least 90 for a nice boost in color clarity. Food preparation relies a lot on accurate color judgment, so you’ll want yourto render the true colors of the dishes you cook. Aim for total brightness ranging from 5,000 – 10,000 total lumens for maximum visibility throughout your kitchen space.

Bedroom

Your bedroom is a haven for rest and relaxation where you’ll have more room to play with ambience. Bedroom lighting should be soft and cozy, so we suggest low color temperature ranging from 2,500 – 3,000K which is best achieved with warm white bulbs. Don’t make the mistake of using bright white and daylight bulbs in the bedroom. They have the tendency to increase alertness and suppress melatonin production, which you will not want if you’re winding down after a hard day’s work. Brightness level for an average-sized bedroom can range from 1,000-2,000 lumens. Using the right bulb for yourwill be sufficient for reading but not too bright to give you a hard time falling asleep.

Study Room

The best light color for studying is one that mimics natural lighting coming from the sun. Most people think of sunlight as yellow, so they instinctively turn to warm color temperature lighting. Natural, however, is closer to bright white so a cooler color temperature of about 3500-4000K will work best. Yellow light tends to cause visual fatigue and drowsiness so it is not conducive to studying. White light, on the other hand promotes alertness and better concentration. Brightness levels for study areas should generally be around 3,000-6,000 lumens.

Bathroom

You can use neutral light as ambient light in your bathroom, but task areas should have brighter lights for shaving or applying makeup. In this case, cooler whites with around 4000-5000K ratings will do the job. Also choose light bulbs with a high color rendering index. A CRI of 90 or higher is generally recommended for more accurate colors especially if you put on makeup on a daily basis. Most importantly, make sure yourare moisture-proof.

Takeaway

Now that you are aware of the different factors and parameters of lighting, choosing the right light bulbs for your home will be easier and less intimidating. To sum up, start with the technical requirements such as the base type, voltage and wattage. From there, you can move on to the aesthetics by assessing illuminance, color temperature and CRI ratings of the different types of light bulbs available on the market. 

We hope this comprehensive guide has greatly helped you learn the keys to choosing light bulbs that will create the optimum lighting atmosphere in every room of your home. If you need more information, fell free to give us a call at 206-880-1339 or send us an email at support@sofary.com.

How to Choose a Chandelier

Whether you are looking for a lighting fixture to grace your foyer, set the tone in your dining room, or add character to another room in your house, chandeliers are the classic choice for making a big impression. Today's modern, contemporary, and transitional styles offer an ever expanding array of fixture designs. In addition to style and materials, there are a variety of other factors to consider when selecting your ideal chandelier, including size, light output, type of light source, dimming options, and more. In order to help you narrow down the choices, here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions relevant to buying a chandelier.

What should I look for when searching for my ideal chandelier?

Aside from style, the three main factors to selecting a chandelier are: size/scale, direction of light output (glare versus glitter), and control (dimming).

Having something too big or too small can result in a disproportioned look in your space. A 30" tall chandelier hanging in the middle of the room with 8' ceilings will feel extremely low in the space and look strange. If you buy something too small, the piece may seem dwarfed by the room. When in doubt, it is better to err on the larger size, since chandeliers are statement pieces.

Use the following "rule of thumb" method to size your chandelier to be the focal point of a room (wherever it is not installed above a table or counter).

1. Measure the length and width of the room in feet.
2. Add those two numbers together.
3. The sum of those two numbers should be the diameter of your chandelier in inches.

This is just a guide, but it does provide a place to start. Try our Chandelier Sizing Tool to easily find the right sized chandelier for your space.

You also want to make sure that the light coming out of the fixture isn't glary. There is nothing worse than sitting at a dining room table with the glare of a bright bulb coming at your face. What direction is the light going? Are the bulbs concealed or exposed? If the bulbs are exposed, you should consider adding a dimmer to your chandelier to control the light output.

If I am looking for a modern or contemporary look, what lighting trends should I be focusing on?

For a more modern look and design, focus on satin nickel or chrome finishes. Bronze finishes are more commonly found in transitional fixtures, which combine design elements from both traditional and contemporary styles. Modern designs trend towards chrome and satin nickel. Also look for clean lines, with a minimal amount of ornate decoration. Keep in mind that your chandelier's finish and materials should also complement other finishes in your space.

How big should my chandelier be in my dining room?

Chandeliers are sized by diameter and height. The number of bulbs may also impact size. I recommend a chandelier's diameter to be 1/2 to 2/3 the width of your dining table. Today's average dining room chandelier is a four to six light, 26-30" diameter fixture.

Take ceiling height and chandelier height into consideration before buying, too. The chandelier should hang about 30"- 36" from the top of your table to the bottom of the fixture itself. A chandelier that is too tall might end up sitting almost on top of your table! However, if you have tall ceilings a two- or three-tiered design could work great. I love the Tilda by Arteriors Home.

Try our Chandelier Size Guide to configure your ideal chandelier size based on the size of your dining table and the height of the ceiling. There are options for both square and round tables to size a dining room chandelier.

Will my chandelier be bright enough to light the whole room? How much light do I really need from my chandelier?

Chandeliers are decorative fixtures, meant to impart style and ambiance, so do not expect your chandelier to be a room's primary light source. This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make with a chandelier. Placing a single fixture in the center of a room and expecting it to entirely light that room is a recipe for bad lighting. This is compounded if the chandelier's bulbs are exposed, something common to many chandeliers.

Chandeliers work best as a supplementary light source and even better when incorporated into a layered lighting scheme. For example, incorporating recessed cans, cove lighting, or wall sconces in a room are great ways to accent the space, highlight walls, paintings, plants, countertops, and cabinets.

Are there chandeliers that use modern technology like LED?

Absolutely. Contemporary lighting designers and manufacturers are coming out with incredible new LED chandeliers every day. LED technology has improved so much that often you cannot tell the difference between an LED fixture and traditional incandescent one.

Even better - some lighting designers now prefer designing with LEDs, simply because they allow for some really unique design opportunities! LEDs are so small that designers don't have to worry about concealing the light source. This means there is a lot more freedom to experiment with form, function, and material.

In addition to design flexibility, other advantages of LED lighting include increased efficiency and reliability, which translates into significant energy and cost savings. LEDs run five times cooler than halogen bulbs while expending 1/5 the energy. LEDs also outlast other light sources, with a projected lifespan of about 50,000 hours— that's 25 years of use at 5 ½ hours a day.

If I buy an LED chandelier will I be able to dim it down to create a romantic atmosphere?

Many LED chandeliers are fully dimmable when paired with a compatible low voltage dimmer, but not every LED chandelier is dimmable, so this is something you want to ask before buying. Check the specifications of each individual fixture, and then refer to the manufacturer's recommendations for compatible dimmers. Not all dimmers work with all fixtures.

Can I upgrade my existing chandelier to LED or CFL (compact fluorescent) without replacing the fixture?

Upgrading your chandelier to use LED or CFL is called retrofitting, and it is often, but not always, possible. It depends on the fixture. There are many LED and CFL retrofit bulbs available in a variety of shapes and bases that you can buy to retrofit, but you need to keep dimming in mind. If your chandelier is wired to a dimmer, you will probably need to buy a new dimmer that is compatible with your CFL or LED bulbs. Remember that a dimmer dims the bulbs, not the fixture.

Keep in mind that if your chandelier bulbs are exposed, there are LEDs and CFL bulbs that may work but also may look horrible. If you want to retrofit with a CFL or LED, buy just one bulb to see if you like it. Then replace the rest if you do.

Can I use a chandelier in any other room other than the dining room?

Of course! Chandeliers are commonly found in foyers and formal entryways, kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, and even bathrooms or powder rooms. Again, choosing where to install a chandelier depends on the size of the room, ceiling height, size of the fixture, and the surrounding décor. They can go anywhere!

Can I hang a chandelier over a dining table even if the electrical box is not centered over the table?

Yes. One of two solutions usually works. If you have drywall ceilings, an electrician can move the junction box to center over the table. This is not a simple process, as it also requires plastering over the old hole in your ceiling.

If you have concrete ceilings, the chandelier can swag over the center of the table. This means centering a hook over the table to suspend cords from the junction box to the swag hook. You could also use a hide-a-cord on the ceiling to conceal the appearance of the cord.

At what height should I hang my chandelier?

In a dining room, the goal is to suspend it low enough so that you don't catch glare from the light source but high enough so that it does not obstruct your vision. A good rule of thumb is to hang the chandelier so the bottom of the fixture is 30 - 36 inches from the top of the table. Adjust this height to suit your personal preferences or the demands of your room.

Are there any other factors I should consider when choosing a chandelier?

Sometimes it's good to have something unexpected rather than going for a "safe" look. Make sure it's something that you like!

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