LED lighting has changed so much over the years. Once an unsightly plastic covered diode, the humble LED has evolved to become so much more. And their benefits stretch much further than appearances.
Cost effectiveness, sustainability, and longevity are all reasons to consider switching to LED lights in the home. But what are the best LED lights for you? This question very much depends on you and your home. With many variables to consider, choosing a lightbulb can be quite daunting. Especially when there are so many available to choose from.
Colour temperature
Colour temperature denotes the appearance of its light. Most bulbs produce white light, but this ranges from a warmer colour (orange or yellow), neutral (white), to cool (a blue, white colour). Which colour temperature you choose very much depends on how you wish to use your room. To see the temperature you are purchasing, you will often see a number followed by a K. This stands for Kelvin. This number denotes the warmth of the light. Typically lightbulbs vary between a warm 3000k and a cooler 6000k.
If your space requires more than one colour temperature, or you like to be able to switch between temperatures for different purposes, you should consider a CCT or Colour Correlated Temperature bulb. These bulbs can be adjusted either between cool or warm lighting
Brightness
Not all LED bulbs are dimmable, and not all LED bulbs are the same brightness. Lumens makes all the difference. But if you pick a dimmable LED you can adjust this brightness to suit your needs. Picking brighter bulbs works best for task lighting, whereas dimmer bulbs are more suitable for ambience. With the actual function of the bulb decided, you can move on to the different styles available.
Opal glass LED bulbs
Opal bulbs offer a diffused lighting to the room by dispersing the light evenly through a translucent glass. This kind of bulb is best suited for open shades, producing a much softer light, and can reduce shadows in when the bulb is illuminated. Opal bulbs are the easiest choice for most lights, offering a pleasing task light, just make sure you buy dimmable bulbs if you require different levels of brightness.
LED Filament bulbs
Perhaps the biggest change in LED lighting is the filament bulb, with technology allowing for LEDs to mimic this classic vintage design. Filament bulbs are generally made with clear glass, or even coloured or smoked glass, with a decorative spiral or shaped filament inside. This type of bulb is designed to be used as part of a decorative display. Filament bulbs do not always offer functional task lighting, and these low light bulbs work particularly well as part of a decorative chandelier or display. The higher the lumens, the brighter the bulb will be.
Decorative LED Bulbs
Decorative bulbs are a wonderful option for lighting displays large or small and gives character to a space. These bulbs are sometimes shaped from handblown glass that is typically designed to be used as a standalone statement piece, and can come in a multitude of beautiful colours, or as smoked ombre glass. They can also be made with clear glass and a spiral shaped filament, or with opal glass for a softer, diffused light.Decorative bulbs usually only provide decorative lighting as well as an aesthetic design which is perfect for a large display that relies on soft light to accentuate the luminaire.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]LED lighting has changed so much over the years. Once an unsightly plastic covered diode, the humble LED has evolved to become so much more. And their benefits stretch much further than appearances. Cost effectiveness, sustainability, and longevity are all reasons to consider switching to LED lights in the home. But what are the best […]
We spend a lot of time in our bedrooms so getting the bedroom lighting right is worth the thoughtful consideration.
Whether it’s ensuring you have enough light for bedtime reading, a well-lit space for getting dressed, or simply creating a romantic mood.
We look at ways that you can make your bedroom a relaxing sanctuary whilst also making it functional.
The Ultimate Guide To Bedroom Lighting
Flexibility - Dimmer Switch
Having complete flexibility and control over your lighting setup is the first place to start when choosing your bedroom lighting.
A dimmer switch in a bedroom can be a great idea for controlling lighting. It allows you to adjust the level of light in the room to suit your needs and mood.
With a dimmer switch, you can create a relaxing atmosphere for winding down at the end of the day, or brighten the room for tasks such as reading or getting dressed. They are the ultimate in achieving a fully personalised and comfortable bedroom space.
Dimmer switches can also save energy by allowing you to use lower levels of light when full brightness is not needed.
Task Lighting
Task lighting is any type of lighting that is used for activities such as reading, or getting dressed. It is designed to provide focused light on a specific area, rather than illuminating the entire room.
In a bedroom, task lighting may be needed at a desk or work area, a vanity or dressing table, or near a comfortable chair or reading nook.
Some examples of task lighting for a bedroom might include a desk lamp, a wall-mounted reading light, downlights or a floor lamp with an adjustable head.
It is important to choose task lighting that is bright enough to adequately illuminate the area where it will be used, while also being energy-efficient and easy on the eyes. Task lighting can be an important part of creating a functional and comfortable bedroom space.
Downlights
Downlights are one of the best forms of task lighting as they can be directed exactly where you need the light. However, they should only be used for task lighting in areas that need it, and not throughout a bedroom.
This type of lighting would work perfectly for highlighting a vanity table or desk, reading nook or for backlighting shelves and wardrobes.
Wall Lights
Introducing wall lights to a bedroom is a great way to create a layered lighting scheme. They can be used in a number of settings from bedside lights to a desk light, to carefully placed wall lights around a bedroom for soft, subtle levels of light.
Wall lights can be a stylish and decorative element in a bedroom, adding to the overall ambience and design of the space.
Wall lights come in a variety of styles and finishes, so you can choose the ones that best fit the look and feel of your bedroom.
They can be used to complement other lighting sources or to provide additional task lighting as needed.
Pendant Lights
Pendant lights can be a stylish and decorative element in a bedroom. They can be used to complement other lighting sources such as wall lights, or provide additional task lighting as needed.
You can choose from a wide range of pendant lights, and consideration should be made about the sizing of the light.
An oversized pendant can look stunning in the right setting, but it can also make a room feel even smaller. Be aware of the measurements and size it up in the room before committing to the chosen light.
Table Lamps
For more controlled, task lighting you might also prefer the look of a traditional table lamp.
Table lamps are a perfect choice for bedside table lighting, reading nooks. They are a stylish addition to a set of shelves or for a desk setup within a bedroom.
You can combine aesthetics with functionality when it comes to table lamps to ensure it becomes part of your interior.
The Best Bulbs For A Bedroom
When it comes to choosing the best bulbs for a bedroom, there are a few factors to consider. One important factor is the colour temperature of the bulb.
Bulbs with a warm white or soft white colour temperature (2700-3000K) tend to be more soothing. These create a cosy, inviting atmosphere, which is ideal for a bedroom. Bulbs with a cool white or daylight colour temperature (4000-5000K) tend to be more energising. These may be better suited for tasks such as reading or getting dressed.
Brightness
Another factor to consider is the bulb's brightness, or lumens. For a bedroom, it is generally best to choose bulbs that are not too bright, as this can be harsh on the eyes. A bulb with a brightness of around 500-800 lumens should be sufficient for most bedroom tasks.
Lastly, you need to consider what type of bulbs you choose. LED bulbs are a popular choice for bedrooms because they are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and produce little heat.
This bedroom lighting guide has hopefully provided some helpful insight into how to create a relaxing ambience in a bedroom that can be adjusted as the role of the room changes throughout the day with the right type of lighting setup.
Choosing between warm light and white light for your bedroom depends on your preferences and needs. Warm light, with a lower colour temperature, creates a cosy and relaxed atmosphere, perfect for winding down. White light, with a higher colour temperature, offers better visibility for reading or working. For a relaxing room, warm light is better.
The best bedroom light colour for sleep is warm white, typically with a colour temperature between 2700K and 3000K. This soothing, amber-toned light promotes relaxation and melatonin production, helping you drift off to sleep faster. Avoid cooler, bluish light (higher colour temperatures) as they can disrupt your circadian rhythm and make it harder to fall asleep.
We spend a lot of time in our bedrooms so getting the bedroom lighting right is worth the thoughtful consideration. Whether it’s ensuring you have enough light for bedtime reading, a well-lit space for getting dressed, or simply creating a romantic mood. We look at ways that you can make your bedroom a relaxing sanctuary […]
Yellow is a cheerful and vibrant colour that can add a touch of sunshine to any space.
It is often associated with happiness and positivity, and can be a great way to brighten up a room. But when it comes to choosing colours to pair with yellow, it can be a bit of a challenge.
In this post, we will explore some of the best colours to pair with yellow to create a cohesive and stylish aesthetic.
Whether you're decorating your home, creating a new outfit, or working on a design project, this post will provide some helpful tips and inspiration for incorporating yellow into your colour palette.
What Colours Go With Yellow?
Yellow & Navy Blue
Yellow and blue make a striking combination, and are often used together in design and fashion. Blue is a cool and calming colour, while yellow is warm and vibrant. Together, they can create a sense of balance and harmony.
If you're using yellow as your main colour, introduce Navy Blue with a statement pendant light. It will captivate attention as you step into the room, and it creates a beautifully striking contrast.
Yellow & Green
Green is the complementary colour to yellow on the colour wheel, which means they are opposite each other and create a high contrast when used together.
This can make for a bold and striking combination, particularly when using bright and saturated shades of both colours.
Introduce green with layered textures, think throws, cushions, linen curtains, or by introducing it with small decor accessories and furnishings.
Yellow & Purple
Purple and yellow are both bold and vibrant colours, and when used together they can create a playful and whimsical look.
Purple is a mixture of blue and red, which means it has both cool and warm tones, making it a versatile colour to pair with yellow.
Whether it's lilac or a deep purple shade, it can easily be worked into a yellow interior in thoughtful touches be it wall art, furnishings or with textiles.
Yellow & Orange
Yellow and orange are both warm and cheerful colours, and they can create a fun and energetic look when used together.
Orange is a mixture of red and yellow, so it shares some of the same warmth and vibrancy as yellow, but with a slightly different tone.
You're probably going to want to introduce a third, more neutral colour to the mix, unless the look you're trying to achieve is a bold, maximalist scheme.
Introducing a neutral such as cream, white or grey will help to mute the colour palette slightly.
Yellow & Grey
Grey is a neutral colour that can help to balance out the vibrancy of yellow. Pairing yellow with grey can create a modern and sophisticated look, particularly when using muted shades of both colours.
Perhaps you may want to use grey as the main base colour in your room, introducing pockets of yellow for warmth and colour in a space. Think yellow furnishings, throws, cushions, lighting and decor accessories.
Yellow & Black
Yellow and black make a bold and striking combination, and are often used together in fashion and design. Black is a strong and powerful colour, while yellow is bright and cheerful. Together, they can create a dynamic and eye-catching look.
If you do have a modern home decor scheme, black becomes a defining accent that pulls the room together. You only need to use it sparingly with objects such as black nickel sockets & switches, cabinetry details and with small pieces of furniture to get the desired effect.
Yellow & White
These two colours can go well together in interior design. Yellow is a vibrant and cheerful colour, whilst white is clean and fresh.
Together, they can create a bright and inviting space that feels open and airy. Yellow and white can be particularly effective when used in a minimalist or modern design, as the combination of bold and neutral colours can create a clean and stylish aesthetic.
Additionally, using yellow and white together can help to highlight the other colours and details in a room, drawing the eye and creating a cohesive look.
When choosing colours to pair with yellow, it's important to consider the overall aesthetic you're trying to achieve.
Some colours that go well with yellow include blue, green, purple, orange, grey, and black. By using these colours together, you can create a cohesive and stylish look that incorporates the warmth and vibrancy of yellow.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]Yellow is a cheerful and vibrant colour that can add a touch of sunshine to any space. It is often associated with happiness and positivity, and can be a great way to brighten up a room. But when it comes to choosing colours to pair with yellow, it can be a bit of a challenge. […]
Whether you’re a professional chef with a culinary flair, entertaining friends, or simply cooking for the family, kitchen lighting is extremely important. Your space and your requirements need to be taken into consideration when choosing which lights you should use, the spacing and location of these lights, and even the type of light that you require. You will find that functional lighting is necessary when using your kitchen, but that does not mean you are limited only to function. There is a wealth of choice for your lights, and we will help guide you to making the most out of lighting your space.
Ceiling Downlights.
Downlights give you the best, most functional option for lighting surfaces where task lighting is important. These can be fitted under a cabinet or directly into the ceiling, offering functional task lighting when you really need it. When dealing with anything sharp or hot, its best to be able to see exactly what you are doing to avoid any mishaps or serious accidents. You can view our range of downlights here.
Ceiling Shades
These can also offer diffused task lighting for larger spaces, as well as conscious design for larger kitchens, adding another element to your personal aesthetic. These lights work excellently for kitchens with an integrated dining room or eating space, adding in a more comfortable feel to your kitchen when entertaining or spending time at the dining table. We carry a large range of different ceiling lights that will suit any home interior.
Drop Pendants
When considering a larger kitchen with a higher ceiling, drop pendant lighting may be more practical, and can give your space that beautiful finishing touch. Using the rule of odds and aligning three pendants above an island can give a fantastic focal point to your kitchen, while still providing useful lighting to your surfaces. It also adds a wonderful statement piece to your kitchen, bringing design into a functional space. Take a look at our range of kitchen pendants lights for some inspiration.
Decorative Lighting
There is no reason why you should have bright task lighting at all hours of the day. Layering light is the perfect way to change the mood throughout the day, transitioning between practical work and those comfortable evenings when dinner has finished. Combining wall and ceiling lights with functional downlights on separate switches gives you the option to layer your lighting, dimming downlights to make way for the ambience of a more decorative light when the kitchen is no longer in full use.
If adding extra lighting is not possible, one way to achieve a more customisable ambience is by using our Dim to Warm Downlights. These downlights allow you to change the warmth of your light from a functional cool tone down to cosy glow using a dimmer. This not only allows you to combine task lighting and ambience, but allows you to considerably alter the mood of your space at the touch of a button.
The choice between warm light and white light for your kitchen depends on your preference and kitchen's purpose. Warm light with a lower color temperature (around 2700K) creates a cozy, inviting ambiance, perfect for family gatherings. White light (4000K or higher) provides clarity, making it ideal for task-oriented kitchens, enhancing visibility and cleanliness. Consider your kitchen's function and personal style when deciding which color temperature suits you best.
Planning your kitchen lighting is crucial for both functionality and aesthetics. Start by identifying key task areas, such as countertops, sink, and stove, and choose task lighting like under-cabinet fixtures. Incorporate ambient lighting with ceiling fixtures and add decorative elements like pendant lights for style. Balance brightness for a well-lit kitchen.
Whether you’re a professional chef with a culinary flair, entertaining friends, or simply cooking for the family, kitchen lighting is extremely important. Your space and your requirements need to be taken into consideration when choosing which lights you should use, the spacing and location of these lights, and even the type of light that you […]
Grey remains a hugely popular colour for interior design. It's highly versatile, can introduce warmth when combined with other colours, and it's suitable for a myriad of interior design schemes from Scandi to modern design.
As it's such a versatile colour it does go with a wide palette of colours. But it's important to pair them correctly so it doesn't leave your room feeling cold.
To help you execute grey in your home with precision, our interior design guide looks at what colour combinations go with grey in the home.
What Colours Go With Grey Walls
If grey is becoming your dominant colour across your walls you might be wondering what complementary colours work well with grey walls to help lift them. Let's explore how interior designers avoid allowing this wonderfully versatile colour to draw the warmth from your space.
Grey & Black
For modern interior design, black is a must have accent colour that will provide definition to a room. It's a great colour match against grey which is generally a lighter, softer shade.
Black can be used as an accent colour in this setting, from table leg accents, to side tables and small decor accessories.
Introducing additional colours into the mix will create a softer interior, including shades such as crisp white, cream and earthy green. Or keep things dramatic like this bedroom look, a moody and modern, with darker shades of charcoal grey enhancing this masculine aesthetic.
Grey & White or Cream
The most classic pairing you will see with a grey is white for a no-nonsense, complementary colour that will lift your interior, especially with the use of a lighter shade of grey, or a soft stone shade.
White could be introduced in a number of ways. Perhaps you have chosen to paint your walls grey up to a picture rail. By painting above the picture rail up to the ceiling in a bright white shade, not only does this contrast help to lift the room, but as you enter the room your eyes are instantly drawn up to the ceiling, making the room feel taller than it actually is.
White can also be introduced through furnishings, textiles and curtains to soften the room.
If white feels like too much of a harsh colour pairing to grey, cream is a great alternative that will bring in warmth, and light to the space.
Cream can be used through skirting boards, architraves, doors and in more conventional home furnishings and decor accessories. Pair with other like neutrals such as earthy green and brown for a Scandic, boho design look.
Grey & Mustard Yellow
If you're looking to achieve a more bolder style interior, yellow is an inviting and dynamic colour pairing to grey.
Mustard yellow especially will bring warmth to the space which is a welcome colour against blocks of light or dark grey. Layer this colour throughout with home furnishings, textiles and curtains.
If you're looking for a powerful trio of colours, introduce navy blue as an accent colour that packs a punch!
Grey & Red
Introducing red to a grey interior creates a dramatic, eye catching room. Just like black, red is best used as an accent colour in this instance to avoid an overbearing interior.
Subtle touches of red will define the space and bring warmth. Add red cushions, chairs with red accents and small decor accessories.
Grey & Earthy Green
If you've opted for a greige (a mature cream/grey shade) then a neutral home decor scheme is probably on the cards. You have a huge choice of other shades on the neutral colour spectrum that work amazingly well together.
Earthy Green is a beautiful complementary colour for grey for a number of reasons. It brings in depth without becoming overbearing, it can act as a defining, grounding colour when used in places such as skirting boards and architraves, and it works so well with other neutral colours too such as cream and brown. Grey also brings out the natural greens of houseplants, adding a wonderful sense of nature to a living room or bedroom.
As well as using earthy green on architraves and skirting, introduce it with linen curtains, cushions and throws.
Grey & Blush Pink
Blush Pink lends a much softer approach to pairing with grey, it offers a really whimsical, pretty feel that works well in living rooms and bedrooms.
Blush pink is a popular colour for small decor accessories such as wall prints, this will help to break up the monotony of grey walls. It works beautifully when introduced as home furnishings, cushions and throws.
Grey & Orange
Similar to yellow in it's ability to inject a much needed pop of colour to your interior, orange is the perfect pairing for a soft stone grey. This colour combination works particularly well in modern or Scandi style spaces, adding a zesty energy to the room.
What Colour Accent Wall Goes With Grey?
A focal point in a room is always a good idea, and it's a smart way to break up the monotony of grey walls. Go for a neutral, timeless accent wall such as cream, white or earthy green. For a more daring look, introduce a black, blush pink, red, mustard or even blue tones.
If you only want to introduce grey as an accent colour, Grey Pendant Lights are a perfect way to appreciate this colour, whilst not being overbearing in the space. They'll add a timeless look to your space, whilst adding character and definition to the ceiling.
For a versatile colour that can bring warmth and definition to a space, grey is a perfect choice as it works well with myriad of decor schemes and complementary colours.
FAQs
Grey is a versatile neutral shade that effortlessly complements a wide range of colours. Whether you opt for vibrant red accents or soothing blues, grey acts as a perfect backdrop. It's the ultimate canvas, allowing you to experiment with various colour palettes, making those grey pendant lights a timeless addition to any decor.
To infuse warmth into a grey room, focus on lighting. Opt for warm-toned bulbs to soften the coolness of grey walls. Incorporate table lamps and floor lamps with soft, ambient lighting. Add cosy textiles like plush throws and cushions in warm hues. Introduce wooden furniture to bring in a natural, inviting feel.
When choosing colours to complement a grey sofa, consider a versatile palette that enhances your decor. Soft pastels like blush pink or serene blue add warmth and contrast. Earthy tones such as olive green and mustard create a cosy ambiance. For a modern touch, opt for bold accents like deep teal or vibrant yellow.
Grey remains a hugely popular colour for interior design. It’s highly versatile, can introduce warmth when combined with other colours, and it’s suitable for a myriad of interior design schemes from Scandi to modern design. As it’s such a versatile colour it does go with a wide palette of colours. But it’s important to pair […]
There is no better way to complete a room than with a pendant light that truly complements your interior design choices. But with an abundance of beautiful lights to choose from, it can often be hard to envision which pendants would work best.
Your choice of pendant light will depend on the size of your space, the style of your home, and whether your light will be the focal design point of your room. The choices may seem overwhelming, so let’s break it down into manageable steps.
First, consider your space.
The size of your space will dictate the size of the pendant light that you need. Choosing one single decorative bulb for a large living room may not give the aesthetic you desire, nor will it provide adequate lighting. Similarly, picking an enormous, ornate chandelier for a small hallway may dominate the space too much and inhibit movement.
Work with the space you have and use a tape measure to make sure you’re choosing a size that complements the space. In larger rooms such as dining rooms and living rooms, a larger statement piece can offer the light needed, as well as finish the aesthetic, whereas in smaller spaces, several smaller pendants work as decorative lighting. The cable drop will very much depend on the height of your ceiling, so do take this into consideration when choosing your pendant light.
What is the style of your space?
Your lighting should complement your interior design choice and reflect your home. Just as careful consideration was taken into picking out those key pieces of furniture, the same consideration should be used in selecting your lights.
For a traditional styled home, glass pendants with brass accents offer a touch of elegance, whereas a modern or minimalist home calls for something more linear with contrasting lines and monochromatic colour schemes. For a home that reflects bohemian or vintage tastes, you may find that wicker works particularly well, giving a fascinating play of light when illuminated, and in more industrial or rustic styled spaces, matte black, brushed brass, and wood really bring a room together.
How many lights?
At this point you will already have a good idea how size can influence your choice of lighting, as well as the design and style of the room. This should narrow down your choices of pendant lights, and how many are needed.
When lighting any space, the Rule of Odds works best. An odd number, whether one, three, five matching or similar lights adds a striking visual to any room, drawing you in to the pendants themselves rather than the spaces in between. To further customise this decorative choice, playing with different drop lengths for each pendant light gives yet another touch of personalisation to your lighting display. Some lights are large enough to add their own presence to your space, whereas smaller lights can give a stylish twist to your décor.
At Elesi, we make the decision process easy, with our easy to navigate categories that allow you to view style, colour, and location to allow you to narrow down your search and find the perfect lighting solution from our extensive range of pendant lights.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]There is no better way to complete a room than with a pendant light that truly complements your interior design choices. But with an abundance of beautiful lights to choose from, it can often be hard to envision which pendants would work best. Your choice of pendant light will depend on the size of your […]
Your garden is an important part of your home and makes a big difference when it comes to quality of life. We look at some modern garden lighting ideas that can enhance your garden's appearance, functionality, and security.
Modern Outdoor Wall Lighting
Many outdoor wall lights consist of straight lines and simple colours. These could be metal up-down fixtures, which shine light upwards and downwards at the same time; wall lamps, usually with rectangular or square shapes; and linear wall mounted light fixtures.
Most modern outdoor wall lighting feature sleek materials and colours. Black is wall lights are a particular trend right now as well as brushed chrome and nickel. Cube and rectangular shapes are also very popular for outdoor wall lights.
One particular outdoor lighting idea which can look very modern, is a brick wall light, which sits flush in a wall, replacing one brick. This is a great approach if you prefer a more minimalist look and feel to your outdoor living area.
Modern Garden Lighting Ideas
Try lighting your garden with floor uplighters and wall lights to create a focal point on particular spaces. For example, floor lights can go on the edge of pathways, to make it easier to navigate, and wall lights, or even floor lights can be used to illuminate plants, much like how you may use lighting to highlight paintings or design features indoors.
Stake lights offer a stylish solution to lighting a garden. These wonderfully versatile lights offer spotlighting into key features of your garden or driveway while remaining hidden.
If you are after a larger and more design conscious solution, a bollard light can really add to a contemporary exterior. Practical and design conscious, a bollard can light entryways, driveways, and even garden paths. Check out our range of bollard lights.
Ceiling Lighting Ideas
If you have a summerhouse, or a covered area, ceiling lights can be a great, and rather discreet way of lighting the space. It’s also where you can explore your creative side, by choosing lighting that would normally only be found in the home.
Dome or caged pendant lights are a great choice and you can experiment with a range of contemporary designs to get the perfect look. Edison style light bulbs can also work in a contemporary setting. Try stringing them together across covered areas or in your summer house to create a warming and inviting atmosphere.
How To Choose Colour Temperature
If you are looking to use lighting to improve your home security, then your lights will need to be very bright. You'll want to choose a high colour temperature, ideally between 5000K- 6000K.
For ambient lighting, however, a bright daylight bulb isn’t going to help with creating a nice atmosphere and feel. Try something at 4000K or lower for a warm glow. You can also consider mixing colour temperatures to create a more picturesque view.
You can even try mixing colours, with some blue or green lights highlighting certain areas of the outside space. Find out more about colour temperature in our guide: What is Colour Temperature?
We hope these modern garden lighting ideas have inspired you. As you can see, modern and contemporary lighting can totally transform your garden or outside living space. Shop our collection of outdoor wall lights today to discover more.
We look at some modern garden lighting ideas that can enhance your garden’s appearance, functionality, and security.
Smart lighting has been around for a little while now. And, every year
Smart home technology is becoming more advanced and more accessible. We look at how this innovative technology can put you in control of your home lighting.
What are the Benefits of Smart Lighting?
Smart lighting technology is enormously popular due to the benefits it provides. The programmable nature of smart bulbs can save you money, make it more convenient to light your home and provide greater security.
Smart bulbs and switches have come forward in leaps and bounds in their ability to automatically set moods and scenes in your home. What used to be the stuff of science fiction is now available at your fingertips.
But, much like in the pre-smart days, you still need to plan our lighting carefully. Fortunately, technological advances mean we can include a level of flexibility that has never been available to us before.
How Does Smart Lighting Work?
In the early days of smart lighting, smart hubs were required to control and manage your home lighting, however, these days, there are plenty of smart bulbs that simply require a mobile app. Many systems can now be voice activated giving you even more control.
Virtually all Smart home hubs run over Wi-Fi and many already include an app to control them. Popular smart home systems include
Google Home, Alexa, Apple Home and Samsung Smart Things.
However, with the ability to pretty much do everything at the touch of a few buttons on a smartphone, the future will likely see smartphones wholly replacing hubs.
How to Choose Smart Bulbs and Lighting
When choosing a smart bulb, many of the things to keep in mind are the same considerations as those that are relevant to non-smart bulbs, including cap fitting, whether it is a trusted brand, wattage and lumens.
However, one consideration specifically for smart bulbs is their compatibility with certain apps and hubs. Most smart bulbs are compatible with Google Home and Alexa, but not all appear to work with Apple Home or Samsung Smart Things. We recommend you check compatibility with your smart bulbs and switches before buying.
When choosing smart ceiling lights, downlights or wall lights, the features to be mindful of are the same as when choosing a normal bulb, but you can also choose styles and finishes.
How to Choose Smart Switches
Smart switches work much like ordinary light switches, however these can also be linked to the cloud so they can be controlled remotely. This way, using a system like Google Home or Alexa, you can control them by a schedule.
When choosing a smart switch, again make sure it is compatible with the software you are using, be it Google, Alexa or Apple.
You may also want to check more advanced features such as movement sensors, which allow you to set your lights to switch on when you walk into a room. Very clever!
Unfortunately many smart switches aren’t particularly attractive and don’t tend to fit into period or classic decors. Retractive switches, however do offer the ability to work with smart technology, without compromising on appearance.
A retractive switch sends a momentary signal, rather than maintaining a switched-on position. So, that signal can be programmed to trigger a wide variety of functions. The switch could raise and lower a blind or shutter, control lighting, turn up a thermostat, or even control an entertainment system.
How To Plan Your Smart Lighting
Once you’ve chosen and installed your smart lights, a great step to take is to set up various scenes. Scenes are one of the fundamental aspects of smart lighting systems. They allow you to program light settings for a variety of situations in your home.
For example, you could have one for parties, one for relaxing, one for reading, one for eating and so on. This way, you can easily tell Google or Alexa to change the whole lighting set up in your house, instantly setting the scene.
Popular scenes include;
- Dinner - A Dinner scene might light the dining room wall sconces and turn off or dim the living room lights
- Night - This scene could turn off most lights in the house but keep a dimmed light across the hallway or stairs to make it safer for anyone coming back late
- Party - The perfect party scene, might use different types of coloured lighting. It may also dim the lights so that the ambience is better for chatting and having drinks with friends.
- Reading - This scene could turn on the wall scones next to your favourite reading chair and dim the lights elsewhere.
Smart lighting also allows you to integrate new colours into your lighting plan. Whilst we are used to different colour temperatures, smart bulbs allow us to integrate blue, green, red, purple and many more light colours into our homes.
Previously you would need to buy a specific colour lightbulb to achieve this. However, few of us want a red or blue bulb in our living room on a permanent basis. With smart lighting, you can use scenes to create coloured lighting for certain scenarios, then, revert to a more normal colour afterwards.
How does smart lighting save energy?
How often have you forgotten to turn the lights off? With programmable smart lighting, this is a thing of the past. The ability to program individual or groups of lights throughout your home, can help cut down on energy usage.
For example, you can schedule the lights to turn on, or turn off at a specific time. You can dim lights in the evening to reduce energy consumption.
Lights can also work with motion sensors so that they only come on when you enter a room, and automatically switch off when you leave.
How does smart lighting improve home security?
Smart lighting provides a significant boost to your home security. They do this in a number of ways, ranging from simple measures to far more advanced methods.
A simple step would be to program dimmed lights across your garden and entrance at night. A level of illumination is more likely identify persons and always creates a psychological deterrent
In a more advanced setup, smart operated lights can work together with security cameras to keep your house safe. For example, motion sensors can detect movement and automatically turn on a light. Not only does this light guide welcome visitors, it will also deter any criminal activity.
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LED lighting continues to be the most popular form of lighting. Whilst there are still both incandescent and halogen bulbs being used in households, with the staggering increase in energy prices, there's never been a better time to make that switch to LED lighting if you are yet to do so.
Whilst the initial cost of LED bulbs is marginally higher, when you look at the life expectancy and the longevity of a LED bulb over time and with the cost savings, LED lighting is a smart move to make. Let's explore the longevity of LED's further.
Longevity of LED's
The lifespan of LED bulbs has always been a huge driver in why people choose LED to light their homes. Compared to their traditional counterparts such as incandescent and halogen, there is a massive jump in the average lifespan as demonstrated on the image below.
Individual LED bulbs offer a whopping average of 25,000 + hours as their lifespan. This is opposed to a traditional incandescent lasting for just 1,200 hours! Using these figures, if an LED bulb was used for 6 hours a day (much more than the average daily usage), then your LED bulb would last for a whopping 7.6 years without the need to be changed. In comparison to a standard incandescent bulb which would only last for 3 months!
Whilst LED bulbs can be slightly more expensive, with hours more use, the cost savings that are created over time will continue to pay for the bulb over, and over again.
Environmental Factors
Whilst LED bulbs have better longevity, there are still other things that will help to increase the lifespan. Higher than normal temperatures in a ceiling, or roof space creates a lack of airflow around the bulb. This lack of airflow or poorly regulated mains power supply can be detrimental to the lifespan of an LED bulb. This is one of the biggest causes of a reduced lifespan as it creates far more strain on the LED.
Slow Start Dimmers
Whilst LED bulbs already offer incredible longevity, there are also other ways you can stop the LED's from straining during use. If you have a dimmer switch installed on the circuit, invest in dimmer switches which use soft start technology. This technology enables the dimming settings to be changed in that period. The mechanism causes a slow build up, meaning less strain on the LED and improved longevity of the LED driver. All of our dimmer switches at Elesi feature soft start technology. This means your bulbs can benefit from this each, and every use.
LED bulbs offer longevity and cost savings to a household. Take a look at our full range of LED bulbs to help make that switch today.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]There’s never been a better time to make that switch to LED lighting. We look at the life expectancy and the longevity of an LED bulb over time along with the cost savings.
Downlights are a great choice for task lighting throughout a house, whether that's over a kitchen worktop, garage or work space. They should only be used where you really need and want to create an even, bright spread of light. So, you've decided what rooms you need them in, but, what about choosing the right downlights? There are many different specifications to consider and understand. You might also be wondering, what are fire rated downlights? And, is this important?
The fire rated specification is an incredibly important part to understand when purchasing downlights for your safety. Let's explore what fire rated downlights are, and what to look for in the buying process.
What Are Fire Rated Downlights?
Downlights are a form of recessed lighting which means they are embedded into your ceiling. Downlights can be placed on the outside of a ceiling, but they are generally embedded where a hole is cut into the ceiling and the downlight is placed.
When a hole is cut into a ceiling/plasterboard this creates a potential channel for fire to quickly spread upwards. This is where a fire rated downlight becomes incredibly important. The fire rating restores the fire integrity of a ceiling once the hole has been cut for the downlight to be fitted. It basically blocks the potential passage and risk by sealing the gap, and slowing the spread of a fire.
To achieve a fire rating, the downlights will have had to have passed a fire resistance test that replicates the behaviour of a fire. The Electrical Safety Council recommend that fire rated downlights should be used in all buildings. They are not legally required, but it is strongly recommended to do so based on the resistance that they provide if a fire was to break out in the property.
Different Types of Downlights
Downlights come with different ratings, fire rated to 30, 60, 90 minutes, or all three. The rating of the downlight must match the fire rating of the ceiling, and structure of the building. Generally, fire resistance for a standard home you should be looking for downlights with a 60 minute rating. Whereas a top floor flat may require at least 90 minutes.
Next time you are choosing downlights, take a look at the fire rating specification. If you are not sure what fire rating you need, always consult your electrician beforehand so they can advise.
Whilst fire rated downlights are not legally required in a home, they are strongly recommended to be used, and will provide appropriate measures should a fire ever occur. Explore our full range of LED fire rated downlights.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]The fire-rated specification is an incredibly important part of downlight safety. Let’s explore what fire-rated downlights are, and what to look for in the buying process.