Light bulbs come in seemingly countless shapes, styles and sizes. Bulbs are an important consideration when it comes to giving your chandeliers that perfect glow. You want bulbs that light up the surrounding space, but don’t detract from the look of the fixture.
If you’re looking to make the most out of your home’s chandeliers, here’s what you need to know about selecting the ideal bulbs to make those fixtures truly shine.
The Chandelier as Main Lighting
If your chandelier is serving as the main source of light in a room, you want bulbs that will give you bright and useful light. Dining room chandeliers are a prime example. These fixtures sit above the dining table and typically provide most of the light for the room.
In this case, either incandescent lights or LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs make the most sense. If the chandelier requires several bulbs, incandescent bulbs are a good choice. They offer a warmer glow without overwhelming the eyes – perfect for setting a comfortable, cozy mood.
LEDs, on the other hand, can be brighter and come in many different styles and color temperatures. Many smart LED bulbs can be customized to give you whatever brightness, color temperature or color you want, making them a good choice as well.
The Chandelier as Accent Lighting
If you use chandeliers as a source of accent or secondary lighting, you have a few interesting light bulb choices to consider!
One popular choice is the antique bulb. Despite the name, these are not actually antiques. They’re simply made to look old-fashioned. Antique bulbs come in incandescent and LED varieties. They emit a warm glow that is not as bright as a typical bulb, but is bright enough to light the immediate area. They’re great for kitchen islands, living rooms, entertainment rooms, bedrooms or anywhere where the main light isn’t always needed, but you still want a glow.
One great thing about both incandescent and LED antique bulbs is that they are dimmer compatible, which is perfect for creating and adjusting accent lighting anywhere in the home. One more great thing about antique bulbs? They come in various eye-catching shapes, including globes and flames, so they look cool and add serious style.
The Chandelier with Covered Lighting
Many chandeliers are designed with exposed bulbs, so they’re well-suited for incandescent or LED bulbs. Other types of bulbs, like compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, aren’t as aesthetically pleasing to look at and they’re more intense than other types of lighting – though they have their uses, too.
If you have a chandelier with covered lights (opaque glass or linen shades, for example), this opens up more possibilities. You can use incandescent or LED bulbs, but CFLs become an option, too. They work well in chandeliers with fans that feature covered lights, especially in the kitchen where more intense light is welcome. When covered, the intensity is diffused. On top of that, CFLs are more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs. But if efficiency is a selling point, you can’t beat LEDs!
Along with our wide array of chandeliers, we do also offer a selection of light bulbs from the brand Bulbrite, so you can choose the perfect bulbs with us, too.
