How to Choose the Right Light Bulb for Each Room

It’s hard to miss how big the lighting aisle is when you visit your local hardware or home-improvement store; the light bulb section is so large that it often takes up the whole aisle! That in and of itself can be intimidating. At Blind Builders serving Feasterville, we’re happy to help you understand the ins and outs of lighting so you can choose the right bulbs for each room in your home. Be sure to speak with one of our specialists if you have questions about your specific situation!

General About LED Light Bulbs

Bulbs come in diverse strengths, shapes, sizes, and, fascinatingly, colors. A light bulb’s box will provide key information on how many lumens it projects (a measure of brightness, usually a range from 300 to 1,600 per bulb), how many watts the bulb uses (a measure of the energy expenditure—LED bulbs use fewer watts than the old incandescent ones), and its temperature (typically a range from 2700 to 6500 Kelvin). A lower Kelvin rating indicates a warmer light (for a cozier feel); while a higher Kelvin rating indicates cool whites (blues) that imitate daylight, which is known to be better for completing tasks. Medium temperatures produce neutral white light. As you decide your lighting for each room, it is wise to consider at the lumens and temperature the most. 

Location is Important

The various types of lighting can change the entire feeling of a room. It is important to remember these important tips when deciding what type of LED light bulb is right for you:

• In the living room it’s best to have lighting from both above and below in order to be flexible to any situation as the living room/family room tends to be a gathering space within the home. You’ll likely want to avoid the blue-type lighting. Consider a total of 2,000 to 3,500 lumens for the room, with color temperature around 2,700 Kelvin;
• In the bathroom, rather than positioning the lighting from above, it is ideal for it to be near the mirror with bright lights as to illuminate for makeup application, shaving, and more. Larger globe bulbs are a good idea for the mirror area, with a total of 5,000 to 7,500 lumens and a color temperature around 4,000 Kelvin;
• In the bedroom a bulb with a lower Kelvin rating—as to have a warmer light and a cozier feel—is more advised for the bedroom compared to the more energizing light of a bulb with a higher Kelvin rating. For reading, consider a bedside lamp with neutral tones while avoiding the cool white lighting that creates contrast with the pages. Strive for between 2,500 and 4,000 lumens, with a temperature of 2,700 to 3,000 Kelvin;
• In the kitchen it is required to have a lot of workspace light for cooking and cleanup. If there is an eating area in your kitchen, a good overhead, dimmable light that has a warmer temperature for ambiance is probably the best fit got you. The suggested kitchen brightness is 5,000 to 9,000 lumens, with a temperature of around 4,000 Kelvin;
• In a home office you want to be invigorated by the light around you, so going for the bluer tones (cool whites) that mimic the daylight are optimal. To avoid glare on your computer screen, consider LED desk lamps that can easily switch for color temperature and change for various tasks. Overall suggested brightness for the home office is 3,000 to 5,000 lumens, with a temperature of 3,500 to 4,500 Kelvin.

Don’t Neglect Natural Light

Windows create a source of light as well, so it’s paramount to use the window fashions that complement you electric lighting selections. These selections range from tiltable options like Heritance® Hardwood Shutters to raiseable Vignette® Modern Roman Shades, your options for window treatments from Hunter Douglas are vast and include choices that will work best for you and your home. Be sure to speak with one of our specialists to determine the right window fashion for your room and lighting needs.

Understanding Home Lighting in Feasterville, Doylestown PA Areas

Blind Builders Inc is a service-oriented business specializing in custom blinds, shades, shutters, and motorization solutions. No matter what your window treatment needs may be, we are here to help. We serve residential & commercial customers throughout Bucks and Montgomery County including Newtown, Yardley, Doylestown, and Warrington, PA, and surrounding areas.