Are you looking for a new light bulb to replace the old one in your indoor lighting fixtures? If so, it’s important to understand the differences between types of bulbs and how they can affect your home.

There are several factors to consider when selecting an appropriate light bulb, such as wattage ratings, lumens output, color temperature, and more.

In this guide we’ll explain all these elements and help you find the perfect light bulb for your indoor lighting needs.

Check the Caps and Bases 

Since there are many types of light bulbs, you’ll want to identify them by the codes on the base and cap. The caps and bases have both numbers and letters, which indicate information about the bulb.  

For instance, a common type of light bulb in the United States is an A19 bulb with an E26 base. 

The “E” on a bulb stands for an Edison base. The number 26 refers to the distance across, which is 26mm. The letter “A” stands for arbitrary, or the standard lightbulb, which is the most used.  

The letters used to describe bulb shape include:  

• B: Bullet  
• A: Arbitrary 
• BR: Bulged reflector 
• BT: Bulged tube or blunt tip 
• C or CA: Candle 

• CIR: Circular or circline lamp 
• G: Globe 
• R: Reflector lamp 
• MR: Mirrored reflector 

Ensure that you use the right bulb by checking the codes first.  

Watts vs. Lumens 

Watts are units of power and are used to measure the power consumption of smaller devices.  

It used to be that people mainly chose their lightbulbs by wattage. For instance, someone might buy a 60W lightbulb for their lamp. This practice was more common when incandescent bulbs were the default choice.  

You’ll also see a description that mentions lumens. Lumens are an indicator of the brightness of a bulb. Choosing the right number of lumens can help you set the correct brightness in your room in Leucadia. It’s a more efficient way of measuring a bulb’s effect compared to watts.  

The higher the number of lumens, the brighter the light is. In rooms where you want a lot of light, such as the kitchen, you’ll want to have more lumens.  

These days, more people turn toward energy-saving LED bulbs. Residential LEDs use 75% less energy compared to incandescent bulbs, and last up to 25 times longer! Given all the benefits of LED bulbs, it’s no stretch to say this is the future of lighting.  

You’ll notice a few differences when you shop for LED bulbs. 

You might see a description such as “equivalent to a 60W incandescent bulb.” This gives you an idea of what type of bulb it is since the power (watts) that LED bulbs use is far lower than incandescent bulbs. An LED bulb might only use 9.5 watts but remain comparable to a 60-watt incandescent bulb.  

The Types of Light Bulbs 

There are four common types of lightbulbs: LED, incandescent, halogen, and CFL. You’ll want to make sure that you choose the right type for your light fixture.  

Light-Emitting Diode (LED): LED bulbs are steadily becoming the most popular choice for residential lighting, outpacing traditional incandescent bulbs. One of the main reasons people choose LED bulbs is that they’re more energy-efficient.  

Incandescent: Incandescent bulbs used to be the most popular option on the market, and many people still like the warm look of an incandescent bulb. This type of bulb also works with dimmers and lasts about a year, depending on use.  

Halogen: Halogen bulbs mimic the look of noon daylight. This type is also dimmable and popular in pendant lights and recessed lighting. However, Halogen bulbs also get hot quickly, and you should avoid getting the oils from your hands on the bulb to prevent issues such as overheating and exploding.  

CFL: This type of lightbulb is most used to light up large spaces, like basements. CFLs have a unique appearance, but many people prefer to hide these bulbs in concealed fixtures. Apartments may often use CFL bulbs, as they are less expensive than LED bulbs, but last slightly longer than incandescent bulbs.  

Choosing Bulb Temperature 

When you hear the term temperature in reference to light bulbs, it describes the color temperature. For instance, there is warm white, cool white, and daylight.  

The lower the temperature, the warmer the color cast. Bulbs around 2700K (Kelvin) have an amber glow and might be described as soft white or warm white. Warmer bulbs are best for intimate lighting, such as table lamps, floor lamps, and chandeliers.  

Cool white at 4100K has a cooler or whiter light than incandescent or warm bulbs. This is a popular choice in bathrooms, kitchens, and areas where you want more brightness in your Leucadia home.  

Daylight bulbs around 5000K – 6500K mimic the look of natural daylight. This is a good choice when you need bright bulbs, such as for security lighting or bulbs in the garage or basement.  

Color temperature is partly preference, but you also want to choose the right style for the room to set the mood.  

Let’s say you’re lighting your bedroom. You might have a bedside lamp and an overhead light. The bedroom should present a restful atmosphere so you can relax and fall asleep at night.  

You’ll want to avoid excessively bright lights in the bedroom, especially blue-tinted bulbs that mimic daylight. These bulbs can increase alertness and disrupt our biological clocks. On the other hand, orange or warm-tinted bulbs have less of an effect on our melatonin production.  

Do You Need to Dim the Light? 

Lastly, it’s important to remember that not all bulbs are designed to work in dimmable fixtures. When replacing a bulb in a 3-way fixture, read the product description. It should say that it’s compatible with 3-way fixtures or dimmable.  

Make sure your dimmer will either meet or exceed the total wattage of the bulbs in your fixture.  

Light Up Your Leucadia Home 

If you use these tips to choose the right types of light bulbs, it’ll be easy to find a match for your light fixtures. Plus, whether you need bulbs for indoors or outdoors, Lighting Distinctions has what you need for your Leucadia home! 

Browse our interior lighting solutions to find some inspiration and reach out to us to help find the ideal lighting layout for any room.