Light bulbs for chandelier question

We're considering updating our dining room chandelier in our 1926 French Revival home. The existing fixture is not original and fails to provide sufficient illumination for us, relying on just two 40-watt bulbs filtered through crystals.

For more details, visit Custom Artistic Chandelier Lighting.

Both of us are fond of the Uttermost Galeana three-light chandelier:

http://www.lampsplus.com/products/uttermost-galeana-3-light-chandelier__97332.html

This fixture accommodates three 100-watt bulbs. It's on a dimmer switch, which seems more than sufficient (though why anyone would need to dim two 40-watt bulbs remains a mystery), assuring us that we can get enough light without excessive brightness.

The chandelier may not be perfectly period-authentic but aligns well with the original and soon-to-be-installed vintage lighting pieces. We both like it, which wasn't easy to find. It fits the room and table dimensions and matches our existing furniture aesthetically.

Our concern lies with potential glare resulting from the exposed clear glass and the bulb at the bottom. DH suggests using frosted bulbs to mitigate this, but I'm unsure if this would effectively reduce glare or if frosted bulbs would suit the fixture aesthetically.

Any thoughts or alternatives?

Thank you!

Here's a helpful link: Uttermost Galeana Chandelier

Can you relate to this scenario? You purchase a new light fixture, hang it over your dining table, and the room feels... underwhelming. Or perhaps, that stylish gray sofa from the store turns purple at home. Maybe the bedroom paint color you adored looks terrible in your kitchen. It's not witchcraft or bad fortune—it's color temperature. This hidden force behind numerous design frustrations often goes unnoticed. Color temperature can determine why some rooms feel inviting while others don't.

Color temperature is the secret saboteur of many design issues. Done right, it goes unnoticed; done wrong, the effects are jarring.

Here's a before-and-after example. The photo on the left shows a super yellow color that makes everything look orange. In the adjacent kitchen, the lighting is an overly cool blue, making the space appear almost like a hospital. Walking through these rooms creates a disjointed and uncomfortable experience.

Lighting can be overwhelming. With numerous numbers on the box, many people focus solely on bulb shape. I’ll explain these numbers, help you understand color temperature, and share our preferred bulbs and a useful bonus feature. Get ready to transform your lighting game.

What’s in the Box

Watts: This measures energy usage. Common figures are 40w, 60w, and 100w, based on incandescent bulbs. The smaller LED number shows actual energy usage. Watts indicate brightness; higher watts mean more light. Use these guidelines:

• 20w – 40w: Ideal for bedrooms, chandeliers, and table lamps
• 40w – 60w: Suitable for recessed lights
• 100w: for task lighting or where a single light source is used

Lumens: Measures brightness. Higher lumens mean a brighter bulb. Designers often calculate required lumens, but most people can rely on watts.

Color Temperature: This crucial info, often termed "light appearance," affects whether your space looks appealing or unpleasant. Measured in Kelvin (K), color temperature dictates the look of your room.

The Kelvin scale ranges from:

• 2000K – 2600K: Creates an orange, amber glow (mostly in vintage-style Edison bulbs). Use sparingly.
• 2700K: Warm white, standard for homes, offering a familiar and cozy appearance.
• 3000K: Soft white, providing a crisper, less yellowed light, ideal for contemporary designs.
• 3500K: Often termed "true white," it can appear blue indoors. Best avoided.
• 4000K+: Suitable for garages but too blue and unpleasant for indoor use.

How to Get Color Temperature Right

Understanding color temperature is a game changer. Our rental home exemplified mismatched color temperatures, a common issue. Allow me to illustrate the dos and don’ts, and how to fix them:

If we lived in our rental longer, we’d have replaced all bulbs for consistency. Light color influences every photo. Here’s what you should do:

Rule #1: Use the Same Type of Lighting

Our rental’s uplighting, intended to be impressive, fails due to mismatched fluorescent bulbs. Lesson: all lights of the same type in a room must maintain the same color temperature.

Rule #2: Overhead and Decorative Lights Should Match

Decorative lights like sconces and chandeliers should match overhead lights. A slight variance is acceptable but keep it minimal. Example: Sconce lights at 2200K and recessed lights at 3000K in the same room create an uncomfortable contrast.

Rule #3: Overhead Lights and Lamps

Matching overhead lights and table lamps in color temperature provides visual harmony. If you primarily use lamps, consistency in overhead light isn't critical.

Rule #4: Room-to-Room Lighting Consistency

Maintaining consistent color temperatures between rooms creates a cohesive feel. Avoid jarring transitions such as warm sconces and cool overhead lights in the same space.

These guidelines boil down to one essential rule:

Choose One Color Temperature for Your Home, Either 2700K or 3000K, and Stick with It.

I could have summarized this earlier, but these examples help engrain the concept. To simplify your choices, here are our preferred 2700K and 3000K bulbs, all dimmable:

Finally, let’s discuss the versatile color-changing bulb. These bulbs are perfect for specific needs like makeup application. Adjusting the bulb to different color temperatures can help match lighting to the environment you're in.

Additionally, these bulbs are fantastic because you can dim them. Our app allows for an amber glow dimmed to 5% at night, and cool white in the morning, supporting natural circadian rhythms. Kids enjoy their flexible colors too, making for fun family activities.

By understanding and implementing proper lighting, you can enhance your home's comfort and appearance. If you have more questions, don't hesitate to ask. We're here to assist!

Quick Note: Some links are affiliate links, which means no extra cost to you but may earn a commission for us. View our full disclosure policy here.

For further information on custom hotel lobby chandelier, feel free to reach out.