Lighting 101:

What you need to know about lighting

Helpful info that you and your customers need to know about lighting - at a glance!

Why consumers don’t understand light

Limited Knowledge = Bad Lighting Choices

  • Lighting is not bright enough or too bright
  • Lighting that is a harsh color that you dislike
  • Lighting that diminishings the looks of rooms, furniture and people
  • Lighting that detracts from the fixtures that it is in

What do most people do when their bulb burns out?

When consumers don’t understand their options, they end up with the same bulb they started with!

  • 1

    Take old non-working bulb out of socket.

  • 2

    Go to utility closet or garage –wherever light bulbs are stored at home.

  • 3

    Try to find something that looks similar.

  • 4

    If you don’t have one – take that light bulb with you to the store

What’s the Difference?

Ambient, Task and Accent Lighting

Base Level

Ambient

  • Provides general illumination
  • Delivers consistent, uniform lighting that envelops a space
  • Can be delivered by several types of fixtures

2nd Level

Task Lighting

  • Intense, direct lighting ideal for detailed task work like reading, food prep and grooming
  • Focused on the specific area of the task and is brighter than the surrounding ambient lighting
  • Provides ample glare-free light that is bright enough to complete the task

3rd Level

Accent

  • Purpose is mainly aesthetic
  • Highlight features of a room, such as artwork, furniture or bookcases
  • Create style and drama by using narrow beams of light focused on a specific area, creating a focal point

Bulb Shapes, finishes & sizes

  • A Shape

    • Portables (lamps)
    • Chandeliers
    • Flush mounts

  • Chandelier

    • Chandeliers
    • Outdoor
    • Lanterns
    • Sconces

  • ST18

    Can be substituted for A-Shape Bulbs to accomplish a vintage look.

  • Globes

    • Pendants
    • Vanity strips
    • Chandeliers

  • Tubular

    • Chandeliers
    • Sconces
    • Pendants

Lumens & Watts

Lumens

LUMENS = Brightness

Lumens measure how much light you are getting from a light bulb.

More Lumens = Brighter Light
Fewer Lumens = Less Light

Wattage

Watts is the amount of power consumed by a bulb. LED is much more energy efficient than older technologies.

  • 2000K

    Candle Light

  • 2700K

    Warm White

  • 3000K

    Soft White

  • 4000K

    COOL WHITE LIGHT

  • 5000K

    DAYLIGHT LIGH

  • Restaurants

    Most restaurants want lower CCT in the 1800K to 2700K range, to create an ambiance and mood. This CCT creates afriendly intimate vibe, like a light from a fireplace. Some more modern styled restaurants prefer lighting up to 3000K, which provides a soft and pleasing
    white light

  • At Home

    Different rooms often require different CCTs. Bedrooms and living areas would typically be in the 2700K range.

    Rooms more associated with tasks, like kitchens, would be in the 3000K – 5000K range.

    Bathroom lighting is typically in the 2700K-3500K range, with vanity lighting at the higher end of the range for grooming and applying makeup.

  • Sleep Optimization

    Research shows that exposure to blue light in the evening can disrupt your sleep cycle and lower sleep quality. A simple way to support healthier rhythms is by using a smart bulb like Bulbrite Solana®, which lets you easily adjust the color temperature (CCT) anytime to match your daily needs.

What is CRI?

Color Rendering Index is the measure of the ability of a light source to accurately render the colors of objects, in comparison to natural light. The higher the CRI of a lamp, the more clean & crisp the color of an object will appear under that light. The lower the CRI of the lamp, the more distorted and washed out the color will look under that light. The higher the CRI, the more closely the object looks to how it would in daylight – which is the benchmark of ideal illumination.

  • Why is CRI important?

    High CRI can provide benefits in nearly every environment. Higher CRI lamps will help in your home, making colors pop, adding a richness to furniture, wall colors, food, even people. That’s right, high CRI can even
    showcase a healthy, glowing skin tone.

  • Art Exhibits

  • Clothing retail environments

    Providing visual pop

  • Grocery stores

    Making food look appealing