Lighting is an essential aspect of every home, office, or other living spaces. The lighting fixtures you choose can have a significant impact on a room's ambiance and functionality. However, when purchasing lights, you may come across various terminologies that may leave you confused or overwhelmed.
To help you navigate the world of lighting, here are some common lighting terms you need to know before buying lights.
Lumens
Lumens are the units used to measure the brightness of a light source. The higher the lumens, the brighter the light. When shopping for lights, it's essential to consider the lumens rather than wattage as wattage only measures energy consumption. In the past, we used wattage to determine the brightness of a bulb. However, with LED lighting, we can have a light that uses fewer watts but produces more lumens than traditional bulbs.
When choosing lights for your living room, consider the lumens to ensure that the light is bright enough for your needs. For instance, if you want a bright light for reading, choose a bulb with a high lumen output.
Color Temperature
Color temperature refers to the appearance of light, which can range from warm to cool. The color temperature is measured in Kelvin (K). Warm light has a lower Kelvin temperature, while cool light has a higher Kelvin temperature. Warm light creates a cozy, inviting ambiance, while cool light produces a bright, energizing atmosphere.
I recently bought LED bulbs for my bedroom, and I chose a color temperature of 2700K to create a warm and relaxing environment.
When selecting lights for your home, consider the mood you want to create in the room. If you want a cozy ambiance, choose warm lights, while cool lights are suitable for task lighting or areas that require bright light.
CRI
CRI stands for Color Rendering Index. It measures how accurately a light source can render the colors of an object. The scale ranges from 0 to 100, with 100 being the most accurate. A higher CRI is desirable for spaces where color accuracy is crucial, such as art galleries, clothing stores, or makeup studios.
When choosing lights for your art studio, consider the CRI to ensure that the colors in your artworks appear as they should. A high CRI will also ensure that you can accurately mix colors for your paintings.
Wattage
Wattage is the measure of energy consumed by a light source. Although wattage was previously used to determine the brightness of a bulb, it's no longer applicable since LED bulbs consume less energy than traditional bulbs and produce more lumens.
When selecting lights for your home, consider the wattage to ensure that the lights are energy-efficient. LED lights are a great choice as they consume less energy and have a longer lifespan than traditional bulbs.
Dimming
Dimming allows you to adjust the brightness of your lights to suit your needs or mood. Some lights come with built-in dimming capabilities, while others require an external dimmer switch. When purchasing dimmable lights, ensure that they are compatible with your existing dimmer or purchase a compatible dimmer switch.
Dimming is a great way to create a cozy ambiance in your living room or bedroom. It can also be useful in areas where you need task lighting, such as the kitchen, where you can adjust the light to suit your needs.
Kelvin
Kelvin is the unit used to measure color temperature. It indicates the color of light emitted by a bulb. Lower Kelvin temperatures produce warm, yellowish light, while higher Kelvin temperatures produce cool, bluish light.
When selecting lights for your home, consider the Kelvin to ensure that the light matches the mood you want to create. Warm lights are great for creating a cozy ambiance in the living room, while cool lights are suitable for task lighting in the kitchen.
LED
LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. LED lights are energy-efficient, durable, and long-lasting. They consume less energy than traditional bulbs and produce more lumens. LED lights are available in various shapes and sizes, making them suitable for different lighting needs.
LED lights are a great choice for your home as they are energy-efficient and have a longer lifespan than traditional bulbs. They are also available in various colors and can be used for decorative lighting.
Incandescent
Incandescent bulbs are traditional light bulbs that produce light by heating a filament inside the bulb. They are energy inefficient and have a shorter lifespan than LED lights. However, they are still available and can be suitable for decorative lighting purposes.
When selecting lights for your home, consider the lifespan and energy efficiency of the bulb. LED bulbs are a great choice as they are energy-efficient and have a longer lifespan than traditional bulbs.
Halogen
Halogen bulbs are similar to incandescent bulbs but are more energy-efficient and have a longer lifespan. They produce a bright and vibrant light that is suitable for task lighting and outdoor lighting.
When selecting lights for your outdoor spaces, consider halogen bulbs as they are energy-efficient and produce a bright light that is suitable for outdoor activities.
Fluorescent
Fluorescent lights use a gas discharge method to produce light. They are energy-efficient and produce a bright, cool light that is suitable for industrial and commercial settings. However, they may not be suitable for residential settings as they can produce a flicker that may cause eye strain.
When selecting lights for your home, consider the flicker rate of the bulb to ensure that it doesn't cause eye strain. LED bulbs are a great choice as they don't produce a flicker and are energy-efficient.
Track Lighting
Track lighting is a lighting system that consists of a track that holds several light fixtures. The track can be adjusted to direct the light to different areas of the room. Track lighting is versatile and can be used for accent lighting or task lighting.
When selecting lights for your home, consider track lighting for areas where you need to direct the light to different areas of the room. It's a great choice for task lighting in the kitchen or accent lighting in the living room.
Pendant Lighting
Pendant lighting is a type of lighting that hangs from the ceiling. It is available in various styles and can be used for decorative or functional purposes. Pendant lighting is suitable for dining areas, kitchens, and even bedrooms.
When selecting lights for your home, consider pendant lighting for areas where you need a decorative or functional light. It's a great choice for dining areas or kitchens.
Chandelier
A chandelier is a decorative lighting fixture that hangs from the ceiling. It is available in various styles and designs, making it suitable for different interior designs. Chandeliers are suitable for decorative lighting in living rooms, dining areas, and foyers.
When selecting lights for your home, consider a chandelier for areas where you want to create a decorative lighting feature. It's a great choice for living rooms or dining areas.
Smart Lighting
Smart lighting allows you to control your lights using a smartphone app or voice command. It can be programmed to turn on or off at specific times or even adjust the brightness. Smart lighting is convenient and energy-efficient, making it suitable for homes and offices.
When selecting lights for your home or office, consider smart lighting for convenience and energy efficiency. You can control your lights from anywhere, ensuring that you don't waste energy.
In conclusion, understanding lighting terms is crucial when purchasing lights for your home or office. Consider the lumens, color temperature, CRI, and wattage when choosing a light source. Dimming, track lighting, pendant lighting, chandeliers, smart lighting, and various bulb types, including LED, halogen, fluorescent, and incandescent, are also essential factors to consider when selecting lighting fixtures. With this knowledge, you can choose the right lighting that suits your needs and preferences.