More details to de-mystify lightbulbs and help you choose the right one.
Lightbulb Shapes and Sizes
Lightbulbs come in a lot of different shapes of glass, each shape is represented by a letter and the standard shape is an 'A'. Within each shape there are numbers representing the width of the glass in mm, so the higher the number, the larger the glass bulb. The UK standard lightbulb is an A60.
Very occasionally, the style and size of your lamp means you are restricted to a bulb that fits into your lamp's housing. Even more rarely, such as with Anglepoise desk lamps (photo right), you will be restricted to one size of lightbulb in order for the arm to balance correctly, in this case the standard A60.
But the vast majority of the time, lightbulb size and shape is just a cosmetic choice of one you like the look of and think suits your lamp.
Another common shape is 'C' candle-shaped bulbs (photo, back left), which particularly suit chandeliers and other traditional lamp types. There's also 'G' for globe (round) bulbs, which range in size from 'golfball' sized bulbs (photo, front left) that look great in our vintage 'Frandsen Ball' lamps, to the over-sized 'feature' bulbs, often used on their own, without a shade.
We are particularly fond of the G95 (photo, below) as a larger than standard, but not too large, bulb for everyday usage.
Lightbulb Types - The Technology That Powers The Glow
There are several types of lightbulb available - halogen, fluorescent etc. Until fairly recently, the main type used in homes was 'incandescent' that naturally produced a beautiful warm glow but got very hot and used a lot of electricity.
Since 2018, it has not been legal to make or import incandescent bulbs into the EU/UK and they've been largely replaced by LED, which stays cool, and uses less electricity, but often has a more blueish 'cold' light, although this has improved a lot in recent years.
Type Of Illumination - W Number and 'Cool' vs 'Warm'
The light output of incandescent bulbs was measured in wattage. 60w was probably the most frequently used output with 20w and 40w being dimmer and 80w and 100w being brighter. LED bulbs are usually ascribed a 'W' number illustrating the approximate wattage equivalent, which represents the number of lumens - again the higher the number, the brighter the light.
When LED lighting was first introduced it tended to have quite a cold bluish glare, but LEDs with more of an incandescent style glow are now available and these are referred to as 'warm' light. LED lighting is still a bit hit and miss though and lighting from different manufacturers can have a different quality of light despite being described in the same way.
Filament Designs - Squirrel Cage Anyone?
One final point with LED, if you're choosing a 'feature' bulb which you will either use without a shade or will be quite visible then as well as the shape and glow you may also have a choice about the look of the 'filament' - the illuminated internal wiring. These have names such as 'squirrel cage' or 'radio spiral' to describe the pattern and it's completely personal preference. Our personal favourite is the 'radio spiral' and it's that we've used with the small grey lamp in the main photo at the top, whereas the large white glass lamp has a squirrel cage bulb.
Location Considerations
Bright, cool, blueish lighting - with the highest lumen number often described as 'daylight' lighting - is particularly suitable for offices and locations where natural/accurate lighting is important. Dimmer, warm, orangey lighting creates a softer feel and works well in relaxed spaces such as living rooms and bedrooms.
The lower light levels of say a 2-7w equivalent are suitable for creating a cosy feeling - or as us Danes say 'hyggelig' (cosy) light - in rooms where it is not important to be able to say read or see your fingers when chopping, that's where you want the strong bright light of say 8-12w equivalent bulbs.
Just think of a night-time bar or club - cosy, relaxed lighting when they want you to be there, then they switch on the harsh, bright lights when it's time to go home!
So now we've learnt all about lightbulbs, we can start thinking about The Right Lighting in the Right Location.
Read Next: Our Article on The Right Lighting in the Right Location!