Imagine stepping into your kitchen, the heart of your home, with a simple flick of a switch, the space is bathed in a clean, bright light that instantly uplifts your mood. Suddenly, a family member enters, squinting against the brightness, longing for a softer, warmer glow. Finding the perfect balance between different lighting preferences has long been a household debate. Customers tell me simply going to store to find a light bulb is challenging. The solution is complicated,Ā andĀ I'm going to do my best to help you make that decision.
This article will focus on the spectrum of light to use in your homes based on research by Dr. Charles Czeisler, a professor at Harvard Medical School. He believes that if you harmonize your daily activities with the optimal light spectrum, you will improve your circadian rhythms, and I agree.
We will explore what spectrum of light should illuminate each area of the home, for your recessed can lighting or ambient lighting in each room.Ā Ambient lighting is the primary light source of an area, and the following recommendation will assume your lifestyle aligns with the cycle of the sun. That you spend your weekends at home, you work from 8 to 5, you spend time outdoors, you strive to live a healthy lifestyle.
I love the word assume, every time I say it, or hear itā¦ I think of Grandpa Lee, another graduate from The Harvard University who told me to never assume for it will make an ass of u and me.
The Exterior of your home is the first thing people see and it should be bright. You should also keep your LED lights on from Sun-Down to Sun-Up to keep the Bad Bulbs away. The spectrum of light and placement of fixtures should highlight your home, while abiding by the dark sky principles. For example: If you have a white house, and use 2700k, 3000k, or 4000 kelvin LEDs then your home will not look white.Ā For this exterior lighting a homeowner should be using Xtra Bright high cri 5000k pure white LEDs that highlight your home and your landscape, but NOT the sky.
If the Garage in your home is a place where work gets done then you should be working in a well-lit environment with natural, pure white, high cri 5000 kelvin light. This will help maintain your energy and focus.
When youĀ walk into your home from the garage, or the side door, then you typically enter the main living section; the kitchen, the TV room, the dining room, the pantry, and the closets.Ā The light in each space must work together inĀ harmony, to create the perfect ambiance.
My approach to lighting a home balances a need for functional illumination with the importance of supporting a family's natural circadian rhythms, especially in the evening. By opting for high CRI (Color Rendering Index) 90+ LEDs at 2700 Kelvin, I choose bulbs that emit a warm, soft light, conducive to relaxation and preparation for sleep, without the stimulating effects of blue light. This choice enhances the ambiance of your main living space but also complements the wood tones in decor, enriching the overall aesthetic with a clean, inviting warmth.
For homes equipped with dimmable switches, the flexibility to adjust lighting intensity becomes an added advantage. In this scenario, installing high CRI 3000 Kelvin LEDs can offer a brighter, yet warm spectrum of light, ideal for the kitchen where more visibility is needed during the day. This setup allows for the adjustment of light levels throughout the day to match natural light cycles, providing brighter illumination when needed, and softer light in the evenings to wind down. This strategic use of lighting enhances the functionality and beauty of your home but also aligns with healthful living practices by maintaining the natural rhythm of day and night.
In my home, family time is spend together in the evenings, on the main floor. Although my teenage daughter, may be missing, sheĀ has made leaving her room a time for celebration. The evenings are when we need to reduce our expose to blue light, itās the time to prepare for sleep and itās how we keep our circadian rhythms in balance. Blue blockers for your screens, especially in the evenings will also help.
I donāt use dimmer switches in my home, so we installed high cri 90+ 2700 kelvin LEDs throughout the main level. We also have darker woods tones, making everything look richer and cleaner. If you have dimmable switches, then you could use high cri 90+ 3000 kelvin LED which is a brighter warm spectrum for your living areas during the day.
Offices and gyms where energy and focus are paramount, ensuring well-lit environments enriched with natural light is essential. Natural lighting enhances visibility, reduces eye strain, boosts mood, energy levels, and key components for productivity. Incorporating large windows or skylights can maximize daylight exposure. Purchasing the right light bulbs for these spaces supports mental alertness and physical vitality, fostering an atmosphere where concentration and performance thrive.
Hallways and bedrooms, where relaxation and minimizing exposure to blue light is beneficial, especially before sleep, we again recommend softer lighting solutions. LEDs with high cri that emit light in the 2200k to 2700k range offer a cozy, warm glow reminiscent of sunset or candlelight. This warmer spectrum helps in winding down and preparing the body for sleep by reducing the interference with our circadian rhythms. Incorporating these lower kelvin temp, high CRI LEDs into bedrooms and hallways creates a serene and inviting ambiance while supporting healthier sleep patterns and overall well-being.
For optimal illumination in bathrooms, high cri 3000 Kelvin provides a warm yet bright environment conducive to everyday grooming. This setting offers a flattering light that closely mimics natural daylight indoors, ideal for makeup application. Incorporating a high CRI makeup light at 5000 kelvin, the light of a midday sun, ensures that makeup applied indoors will look just as intended under the sun, making it perfect for preparing for outdoor events.
The above are solutions for Ambient Lighting, the primary source of light in a space, providing overall illumination. It's often achieved through ceiling mounted fixtures, recessed can lights, integrated LED fixtures, or wall-mounted fixtures.
The Introduction of Integrated LED fixtures, a fixture that does NOT have a replaceable bulb is flooding the market for residential and commercial applications to be the main source of ambient lighting. Fixtures that are designed for effortless installation, promising a significant upgrade to your home's lighting with just a few simple steps. They are beautiful fixtures with a modern design and versatile components that allow you to select the color of light and sometimes how much light (lumens - watts).
My only concern with these kits designed to replace recessed can lights and fixtures with a bulb, is that these fixtures donāt have a bulb to replace. They will burn out one day, and many are engineered and designed to fail within just a few years. When the time comes, you will not be changing a light bulb, you will need to replace an entire fixture. Millions of fixtures that need to be replaced and disposed, rather than just a bulb.
Task Lighting is focused lighting designed to aid in performing specific tasks such as reading, cooking, or working. Desk lamp and under-cabinet lights over a kitchen islands are common examples. Use natural light as much as possible. If indoors, a mix of warm and cool artificial light can help maintain balanced energy. For example, use 5000K in desk lamps, so reading is easier, and if you are right-handed, the desk lamp should always be on your left.
Accent Lighting is used to highlight architectural features, artwork, or important objects within a space. This can include track lighting, spotlighting, or wall-mounted picture lights. The spectrum of light depends on what youāre accenting.
Vanity Lighting is a type of lighting designed to illuminate the area around a mirror, providing clear, even lighting that minimizes shadows on the face. They come in various styles and designs, from sleek LED bars to more traditional bulb fixtures, as discussed earlier, I recommend 3000K in bathroom vanity lighting.
Track Lighting consists of a series of lights mounted on a continuous track. This flexible lighting solution can be adjusted and directed as needed, making it ideal for accent and task lighting.
Pendant Lighting is a hanging fixture used for task lighting over kitchen islands, dining tables, or other work areas. They can add a decorative element to a room and should emulate your ambient lighting. I use high cri 2200 Kelvin LEDs in my pennant main living area fixtures, accenting the fixture with a slight contrast from the high cri 2700 kelvin recessed can lights.Ā
Chandelier Lighting is a decorative fixture mounted on the ceiling, typically used in dining rooms, entryways, or large spaces for ambient lighting or aesthetic appeal. I recommend high cri 2700K LEDs for silver and white chandeliers.Ā For gold, bronze or black chandeliers, I install high cri 2200K tinted amber glass LEDs.
Wall Sconces and Flush Mount fixtures are installed on walls to provide ambient, task, or accent lighting. They're often used in hallways, bedrooms, and living rooms. If a room does not have enough light, and only utilizes one ceiling mounted fixture, you can easily add recessed can lights, piggy backing of the line voltage from this fixture.
Floor Lamps are stand-alone lamps that can offer ambient or task lighting, depending on their design. They're versatile and can be easily moved around.
Table Lamps are an ideal light source for task lighting, reading, and can serve as decorative fixtures. They're commonly used in living rooms and bedrooms. The decision on what spectrum of light is based on usage. Is the lamp for ambiance or a place where work gets done.
Indirect Lighting is hidden and directed towards the ceiling or a wall, creating a soft and diffused light that reduces shadows and glare.
LED Strips are flexible LEDs that can be used for task lighting, accent lighting, or to add a decorative touch to various areas like under cabinets, along shelves, or behind TVs.
Each type of lighting serves different purposes and can be used alone or in combination to achieve the desired lighting effect in a space, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics.
A Solution for Every Household
With GoodBulb LED lighting solutions, the age-old lighting debate in your household can finally come to a peaceful resolution. Embrace the freedom to customize your homeās lighting for every occasion, mood, or preference, ensuring that every room is a space where family, friends, and strangers feel happy and comfortable.
Embrace the Change
As we embrace these advancements in lighting technology, the control over our home's ambiance is literally at our fingertips. No longer do we have to compromise on comfort for efficiency or aesthetics for functionality. GoodBulb's LED solutions represent a significant step forward in creating homes that are not just places to live, but spaces where we can truly thrive, reflecting our personal styles and preferences in every room.
Whether you're an advocate for bright, energizing spaces or a lover of warm, cozy nooks, the power to create your perfect home environment has never been more accessible. Explore the possibilities with GoodBulb LED solutions and discover how a simple change can transform your home into a haven of happiness and comfort for the whole family.
