Create your mood
Finding the right lighting for your home is important, and so is choosing the right bulbs for every room. Do you want a warm and inviting atmosphere or a well-lit work area to see every detail? Learn which LED bulbs have the color temperature you prefer.
Warm white and cool white refer to color temperature, which is measured in kelvins (K). The higher the number of kelvins, the whiter—or cooler—the light. The lower the number, the yellower—or warmer—the light. For a color similar to that of an incandescent bulb, opt for a LED bulb between 2,700 and 3,000 K.
Follow these steps to find out what type of lighting you need to create the mood you want:
- In each room, try out the different color temperatures LED bulbs offer (warm white, soft white or cool white).
- Determine the type of bulb that would work best for each of your fixtures.
Living Room
To create a pleasant environment, try placing several diffuse, warm-colored lights around the room rather than one strong lamp.
Opt for LED bulbs with a color temperature of warm white for general lighting and neutral white for your work area.
Recessed lighting
Directional lighting
- Bulb shape: reflector, parabolic
- Type of lighting: wide or narrow beam, diffuse or focused light
- Bulb models: GU10, MR-16, BR30, BR-40, PAR-20, PAR-30, PAR38
Table or floor lamp:
Omni-directional lighting
- Bulb shape: classic
- Type of lighting: general purpose bulbs
- Bulb models: A-15, A-19
Hanging light fixture:
Omni-directional lighting
- Bulb shape: classic
- Type of lighting: general purpose bulbs
- Bulb models: A-15, A-19
Hanging lamp or chandelier
Decorative lighting
- Bulb shape: candle
- Type of lighting: decorative bulbs
- Bulb models: B-10, B-11, B-13
Kitchen
Kitchen lighting must be both functional and decorative. As it’s the room where you eat, read and carry out a variety of tasks, it is essential that lighting in this area provide you with optimal visual comfort and task-specific lighting.
LED lighting with a color temperature of neutral or cold white (3,100–4,000 K) is ideal for your work area.
Recessed lighting
Directional lighting
- Bulb shape: reflector, parabolic
- Type of lighting: wide or narrow beam, diffuse or focused light
- Bulb models: GU10, MR-16, BR30, BR-40, PAR-20, PAR-30, PAR38
Hanging light fixture:
Omni-directional lighting
- Bulb shape: classic
- Type of lighting: general purpose bulbs
- Bulb models: A-15, A-19
Ceiling fixture or chandelier:
Decorative lighting
- Bulb shape: candle
- Type of lighting: decorative bulbs
- Bulb models: B-10, B-11, B-13
Bedroom
Lighting in the bedroom must be functional and create a warm and relaxing environment. A combination of several different types of fixtures, like ceiling lights and bedside lamps, often works well.
Opt for LED lighting with a color temperature of warm white (2,200–3,000 K).
Recessed lighting
Directional lighting
- Bulb shape: reflector, parabolic
- Type of lighting: wide or narrow beam, diffuse or focused light
- Bulb models: GU10, MR-16, BR30, BR-40, PAR-20, PAR-30, PAR38
Table or floor lamp
Omni-directional lighting
- Bulb shape: classic
- Type of lighting: general purpose bulbs
- Bulb models: A-15, A-19, A-21
Pendant lights
Omni-directional lighting
- Bulb shape: classic
- Type of lighting: general purpose bulbs
- Bulb models: A-15, A-19, A-21
Bathroom
There are often two different types of lighting in the bathroom: general and task-specific lighting.
Opt for LED bulbs with a color temperature of warm white (2,200–3,000 K) for general lighting and neutral white (3,500–4 000 K) for task-specific lighting.
Recessed lighting:
Directional lighting
- Bulb shape: reflector, parabolic
- Type of lighting: wide or narrow beam, diffuse or focused light
- Bulb models: GU10, MR-16, BR30, BR-40, PAR-20, PAR-30, PAR38
Hanging light fixture:
Omni-directional lighting
- Bulb shape: classic
- Type of lighting: general purpose bulbs
- Bulb models: A-15, A-19, A-21
Bathroom mirror
Decorative lighting
- Bulb shape: globe
- Type of lighting: decorative bulbs
- Bulb models: G-9, G-16.5, G-25
Garage
Most garages don’t have any natural light, so lighting is very important. You’ll want to opt for functional lighting so that you can carry out your tasks safely.
Opt for LED bulbs between 3,000 and 5,000 K.
Wraparound Fixture:
Omni-directional lighting
- Bulb shape: linear
- Type of lighting: strip light
- Bulb models: T-4, T-8
LED bulb shapes
