No matter what kind of lighting fixture you have in mind for a room, be it a straightforward table lamp or a large ceiling fitting, you need bulbs. However, there is a seemingly ever-increasing array of types to choose from and an equally long list of specifications. The brightness and warmth of a bulb can define a space, so you want to get it right. Thankfully with our handy buying guide, The Range has got you covered.
Fitting is the shape of the bottom of the bulb that plugs, screws or hooks into the fixture. Fitting is the simplest element as the type of fixture you have in mind determines the fitting you will need. It's simply a case of matching them up. In the vast majority of cases, a bulb will either be an Edison Screw (ES) or a Bayonet (B), with a number attached representing the width of the base in millimetres. Thankfully, light bulb manufacturers have a clear way of showing this to you in the form of a picture and clear numbering. Outside of these two base types, the letter/number format is still the same. Some of the more common bulb types are Small Edison Screw (SES), common in lamps and smaller fixtures and Spotlight Cap (GU10), LED Spotlight lamps for directional light.
CFL or Compact Fluorescent Lamp bulbs are cheap, widely available and come in a wide range of fittings. They are up to four times more efficient than old incandescent bulbs and will pay for themselves in time.
LED or Light-Emitting Diode bulbs are the most efficient type that you can buy, being up to 90% more efficient than incandescent. Some worry about the initial price of LED bulbs, but with lifespans of up to 25 years, they are well worth it in the long run. LED bulbs also come in a range of styles, fittings and levels of warmth, so there is a suitable LED for most fixtures.
The amount of light that a bulb emitted used to be tied directly to its wattage. More power meant more light. However, with LED and CFL bulbs this is not necessarily the case as they use much less power than old bulbs. The amount of light produced by a bulb is now generally measured in lumens. The more lumens listed, the more light the bulb emits. Some bulbs are also able to be dimmed, meaning that you don't have to sacrifice a softer light for visibility.
This question depends on the size and purpose of the space. Areas for relaxing, socialising and winding down will need a lot less light than 'working' spaces such as studies, kitchens and bathrooms. High levels of light help when we need to get things done. Tasks like chopping vegetables, writing and washing are naturally much easier with more light. However, when we want to relax, too much light is going to stop us from switching off. A good rule of thumb for lighting a space is 20-30 lumens per square foot for bedrooms and living rooms, and 70-80 lumens per square foot for bathrooms, studies and kitchens.
The shape of a bulb has an impact on the sorts of spaces it will suit. The more narrow a bulb, the smaller cone of light it will emit. Globe or golf bulbs are spherical and emit light in 360°, whereas spotlight or downlight bulbs emit narrower cones. Candle bulbs are more decorative, their name coming from the elongated flame shape they have. There is no real wrong answer for the shape of a bulb other than preference. Think about where you want the light in a space directed. For example, a cluster of spots is best for lighting objects directly below them such as a kitchen counter or dining table.
Lastly, the warmth of a bulb doesn't have anything to do with the actual temperature but rather the quality and colour of the light it emits. Yellow or orange light, the kind of shades you find in candle flames or sunsets, is warm light. White or blue-coloured light, the sort of shades you get from daylight is cold light. This quality of light warmth is measured in kelvins. The greater value of kelvins means a colder light, and vice versa.
When it comes to the warmth of a light, it's really about the kind of mood you want to create in a room, and what the room is for. lights are better for rooms where you're going to be working such as bathrooms, kitchens and office spaces. warmer lights tend to make a space feel more cosy and relaxing, so are more suited to bedrooms and living rooms.
To find the perfect light bulb to illuminate your space, why not check out our light bulbs department or take a look at one of the below articles for some more inspiration?
