How to Choose the Perfect Light Bulb for Your Lighting Fixture

Lighting can set the tone and mood of your room. You can make a drab room warm with the right lightbulb. You may have a light bulb that is hidden under a lamp shade, or your lightbulb might be the centerpiece of your chandelier. Either way, you need to take great care to find the correct lightbulb to properly light your room.

Things You'll Need

• Time
• A quality hardware or lighting store

Instructions

Choose the Perfect Light Bulb for Your Lighting Fixture

1. First decide if the light bulb will be seen or hidden behind a lampshade.

2. If your bulb will be seen, you will want to look for a decorative lightbulb. There are several different decorative lightbulbs out there to reflect both your personal style and the time period you wish your house to represent.

3. If your decorative bulb will be in a chandelier (the purpose for which decorative bulbs were first designed), you will want to get a bulb that matches the type of chandelier you own. If you have a modern chandelier, you might want to go for more of a globe bulb, whereas, if you have an antique chandelier, you will want to look for something that resembles the flickering candles of yeasteryear. There are bulbs that look like flames. and some even have a much-desired flicker function.

4. Even if you are going to be hiding your lightbulb underneath a lamp shade, you still aren't restricted to a basic bulb. You have the option of choosing a colored bulb to give a softer look to your room. You can also forgo the traditional bulb and opt for an energy-efficient, compact florescent bulb that will save your family money for several years to come.

5. Once you have decided what you are looking for, it is time to go to your local hardware or lighting store. Enjoy your new lightbulbs!

Tips & Warnings

• If you live near a lighting store, shopping there will be the easiest way to find unique quality bulbs.

• Make sure the lamp is off when you install the bulb.