With Spring on the way, it's time to start thinking about getting the exterior of your property ready and well lit so you can enjoy the space into the evening. For outdoor and bathroom use, IP65+ rated lighting is recommended to meet with safety regulations, and to keep your home safe.
In this IP rated lighting guide, we explore what IP65 means and the ideal lights for bathroom or outdoor use.
What Is an IP Rating?
IP stands for Ingress Protection. This is used to determine the levels of sealing effectiveness of electrical enclosures against intrusion from dirt and moisture.
The higher the IP rating, the better protection that it offers against dirt and moisture. When we talk about lighting in bathrooms, think of the bathroom as being split into various water risk zones, as the below image shows.
So, what does IP65 mean? The first digit which is 6 determines the protection against solids, and provides total dust ingress. The second digit determines the protection against liquids with 5 protecting against low pressure water jets from any direction.
In a bathroom, zones 1 and 2 are required to have an IP44+ rating. Generally it is better to go higher, as an IP65 provides better protection against dirt and moisture.
IP65+ is also the preferred rating for outdoor lights. Although, IP45 and above would typically be considered splash proof. If you need Patio or decking lights, we recommend IP65 or above as these areas are often cleaned by using a power washer.
IP Rated Lighting For Outdoor & Bathroom Use
The flaxman bulkhead wall light in nickel lends itself to both bathroom and outdoor use with its nautical, industrial style. The expert hand creation of each light provides a variance in finish which denotes craftsmanship and prestige. IP65 rated, this light will not corrode with exposure to the elements.
Made with real solid brass, the Hopkin IP65 prismatic wall light adds a nautical, vintage edge to an exterior. Perfect for outdoor or bathroom lighting as it will not corrode.
Hand crafted in solid brass with an ungalvanized polished brass finish, this Art Deco wall light is a sophisticated redesign of the original nautical bulkhead, with thick prismatic glass and an IP65 rating.
For a coastal property that is exposed to the elements, a nautical light that provides protection and won't corrode, the Kingly wall light is a smart choice. The brass ages naturally beautifully, but can be brought back to its original finish with a suitable brass polish.
This nautical bulkhead wall light is great for illuminating a larger outdoor space. The soft sheen of the nickel finish lends a contemporary twist on a classic wall light.
The solid brass Carlisle half cover wall light is a sensational light for both bathroom and outdoor use. Adding presence and style, this versatile light is made from hand blown prismatic glass and solid brass for durability.
While zones in a bathroom can take a lower IP rating, it's generally best to go higher to IP65 for better protection against moisture. Take a look at our full range of outdoor & bathroom wall lights to make the most of your outdoor space.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]In this IP66 lights edit, we explore what IP65 exactly means and the ideal lights for bathroom or outdoor use.
Kitchen islands are a great feature in a kitchen. They help to create a light, airy and more importantly, social space that can be enjoyed by everyone. Your kitchen island or breakfast bar might be ready to go, but without the adequate illumination it won't be the airy open space that you're trying to achieve.
We explore kitchen lighting and how many you should put over a kitchen island.
How Many Pendants Should You Put Over A Kitchen Island?
It is quite subjective as to how many pendant lights should be hung over a kitchen island. Of course, you need to take into consideration the size of the kitchen island and height of the room.
Generally speaking, when it comes to pendants for a kitchen island, breakfast bar, or even dining space, you should think about the rule of odds. This is one of the only exceptions to three's a crowd, because in fact, 3 is the just right amount for lighting! The reason a row of odds of 3, 5, or even 7 work better than singularly or as a pair is because it allows for a harmonious, and well balanced area between the spaces, rather than subjects. This design concept provides a much more visually attractive space than if you were to use evens.
However, there are occasions when just two can look good. But this should be decided by your space, as the rule of odds visually does work better over a kitchen island. A balance of odds will help to disperse and reflect the light evenly throughout the space.
Pendant Lighting Ideas
Glass Lighting
There are lots of gorgeous pendant lighting ideas suitable for use over kitchen islands. Whether you're looking for a colour match to kitchen cabinets or glass lighting to match your decor effortlessly.
Glass is a perfect choice for kitchen islands as it allows for the maximum light output, as well as being both elegant and stylish. The Hollen Acorn lends itself to a pendant light for use over a kitchen island due to the Art Deco style prismatic glass, and works particularly well with brass hardware such as taps or sockets and switches.
The Geo Trapeze is another sensational kitchen island pendant light. A row of three would make an incredible lighting statement in an open plan kitchen setting. The glass helps to disperse, reflect and retract light. Perfect for a kitchen which doesn't get a lot of natural light.
For a chic kitchen space the Cambridge Glass Pendant will create gravitas and presence. The luxurious Cambridge works well as a centrepiece as well as in a row, or above a table, and matches particularly beautifully with rose gold accents.
Hand Painted Lights
From our hand painted collection of lights, the Oxford vintage style pendant is perfect for a country style or period kitchen. The enamelled look, with natural subtle imperfections to give the light authenticity and charm. Available in 10 desirable colours.
For a larger kitchen space, the Brewer cage industrial pendant light would look great as a row of odds. The ultimate in industrial styling, this Brewer Cage Industrial Pendant Light in French Grey is hand finished in paint to emulate a timeless enamelled look.
For smaller kitchen islands, the petite Ganton is one of the smallest pendants in our range, but certainly doesn't lack on style! With a charming bell-like shape, the Ganton Vintage Cage Pendant light offers both style and versatility. The cage can be left on or removed, for two slightly different style options.
Take a look at our full range of pendant lights for more kitchen island lighting inspiration.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]We explore kitchen island lighting ideas, how many you should put over a kitchen island and all about the rule of odds and why it’s important.
It's easy to overlook a stairway in a home without realising how often it gets appraised and used on a daily basis. For this reason alone, it is imperative to look after a stairway and make sure it is well lit. In this blog, we explore how to light a stairway in an unobtrusive, and stylish way.
Lighting a stairway can bring many benefits to a home, both from a practical and aesthetic point of view. It adds visual interest to the space and creates an ambient level of lighting without the need for additional lighting in the hallway.
But, there's no denying that stairway lighting is also a great safety feature for the night or those dark mornings.
How To Light A Stairway
There are many different ways you can light a stairway. The way you choose to light your stairway will ultimately come down to your interior style, and your requirements.
Recessed LED Lighting
The most popular and functional way to light a stairway is with recessed LED lighting. This follows you up the stairs, perfectly lighting each step as you go.
Adding step lighting will enhance your stairs and light those nooks and crannies as they elevate. They can also can be installed in a number of ways to suit your requirements. The most common way is to install them horizontally on the tread of the stairs as shown below. Or they can be installed vertically as the steps rise.
Illuminating each step on a stairway helps to create a level of safety that other light sources just can't provide. This form of stairway lighting is a functional way to light a stairway, guiding you up the stairs at night. Functionality aside, this sleek lighting will blend into most interior styles, and provide gorgeous ambient levels of light during the early evening.
You can also create difference levels of ambience by thinking about the colour temperature of the LED stair lights. Choose warm white bulbs for a cosy, inviting ambience, or cool white bulbs for a brighter look and feel.
Wall Lighting
Most stairways are adjacent to at least one wall which makes wall lighting a popular, and feasible choice to light a stairway. This can be an effective way to light a stairway, especially when layering with a pendant light or downlights, whilst choosing a decorative finish to suit the interior of the property.
However, wall lights are not an option for everyone and can become obtrusive on a narrow stairway.
Stairwell Lighting
Recessed LED lighting provides the sleekest and most accessible way to light a stairway. However, stairwell lighting should still be used in tandem to illuminate the space.
For stairwells that benefit from high ceilings, invest in stairwell pendant lights with a long drop to help illuminate the space, this will avoid dark blind spots throughout.
Glass pendant lights are also a great choice as they will reflect and disperse light evenly, whereas other enamel shades will just direct light downwards.
Lighting a stairway will bring that extra visual impact to a space, whilst guiding you safely throughout the night. Explore our full range of LED stair lights which are available in a wide range of finishes to match the interior hardware of your property.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]In this blog, we explore how to light a stairway in an unobtrusive, and stylish way with LED recessed stairway lighting and wall lights.
Navy Blue is a highly versatile colour which makes Navy Blue Pendant Lights perfect for the interiors of most homes. This deep, dark shade of blue adds visual interest and contrast to any room.
The beauty of this colour is that it works well with other like colours in the room, whilst it contrasts well with neutrals and other bold colours too. Let's take a look at some navy blue pendant lights ideas for your home.
Navy Blue Pendant Light Ideas
Squid Ink Navy Blue Industrial Dining Room Pendant Light - Large Argyll
For a bigger space, the large Argyll style in squid ink navy blue is the perfect light to bring gravitas and impact to a room. This luxurious, deep midnight tone of blue black looks spectacular in both period and contemporary settings.
Portland Reclaimed Style Wall Light Squid Ink Navy Blue
Add a vintage, classic twist to your interiors with the Portland wall light. The gently curved lines of this light create a soft, vintage look. This luxurious wall light looks great as an alternative to bedside table lamps, use in a home office, living room, or to light a hallway.
Ganton Small Vintage Pendant Light Squid Ink Navy Blue
The smallest light from our hand painted collection of pendant lights, but just as mighty! The petite Ganton is a charming bell like shape, offering style and character to smaller spaces. Alternatively, they look great as a row of 3 over a kitchen island or dining table.
Oxford Vintage Pendant Light Squid Ink Navy Blue
The smooth curves of the Oxford make it a sleek, and stylish addition to any home. One of the most popular styles in our hand painted range of lights. This version of the light comes with no chain, only a simple and attractive cord. The enamelled look, with natural subtle imperfections to give the light authenticity and charm.
Brewer Industrial Pendant Light Squid Ink Navy Blue
The ultimate in industrial styling, the perfectly formed Brewer industrial pendant light features an elegant horseshoe bracket which holds the light body to the chain. This light is exquisitely soothing to the eye and is handmade to mimic a traditional or period enamelled look.
Oxford Vintage Wall Light Squid Ink Navy Blue
This beautiful Oxford vintage style wall light in Squid Ink Blue works well with both contemporary and traditional style decors. The smooth, curved body lends a warm retro style to any room, and the enamelled look with natural subtle imperfections gives the light authenticity and charm.
Portland Bedroom and Hallway Pendant Light Squid Ink Navy Blue
The Portland is a highly versatile and elegant shape for most interiors. It is difficult to go wrong with this classically chic looking pendant, providing the perfect showcase for traditional and Edison style LED light bulbs. This light can be used in hallways, dining rooms, kitchens and bedrooms.
Explore our full collection of Navy Blue Pendant Lights for plenty more inspiration. A great colour for both period and contemporary homes.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]A highly versatile colour for your interiors. Let’s take a look at some navy blue pendant light ideas for your home.
Peach is a popular colour for interiors, a versatile, soft muted shade that adds a welcome pop of colour and warmth to a space. It's not the easiest colour to blend with your existing interiors, and definitely needs some working in to ensure this colour flows throughout your interiors harmoniously.
We explore what colours go with peach, and complement each other well in your interiors.
Peach & Grey
As demonstrated above, peach and grey complement each other well, whether that's a pale grey or something more like charcoal for high contrast and visual effect.
They reflect elegance and bring a contemporary look into an interior. Try adding a third colour such as white to help balance the space. These colours are perfect for any room in the house, especially living rooms and bedrooms for a calming effect.
Peach & White
When used in collaboration, these two colours create a soothing effect in the home. Use white as the main foundation colour and incorporate peach as an accent colour. In a bedroom, weave peach in through bedding, throws and pillows. You might want to add a third colour into the mix as another accent colour to create further depth. This could be done with gold for a luxe look, or even with forest green.
Peach & Gold
This pairing of colours is a very classic colour combination, commonly seen throughout interiors and wedding themes. The gold elements instantly add that luxe, and sophistication to the peach. This will add a rich feel to any room, don't be overbearing with the use and have small doses of each colour running throughout. Brushed Brass is a fabulous choice for sockets and switches in a peach interior.
Peach & Green
Forest green is at the other end of the spectrum from light to dark, but opposites to attract, and these two colours work perfectly together. The darker green accent contrasts perfectly with peach. Don't think about conventional interior purchases to bring green in, introduce greenery and plants for a welcome pop of this colour without it being obtrusive in the space.
Peach & Black
These two colours can work incredibly effectively together when they are both used as accent colours in the room, especially against a white or cream backdrop. In a child's bedroom, black could be used for wall decals and frames, whilst peach could be introduced with lamp shades, and other pieces of furniture. The result is a cool colour combination which does work well in a child's nursery for a fresh look.
Peach & Blue
We're not talking about baby blue, although those two colours do work together well in a nursery, or child's bedroom. For a mature stance, combine cobalt blue and peach for a highly luxurious feel. A great pairing of colours for a living space or bedroom.
Peach brings a soothing effect to any interior and it complements many different shades from light to dark. A versatile colour that isn't just destined for a child's bedroom.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]Peach is a popular colour for interiors. We explore what colours go with peach, and complement each other well in your home.
Choosing the right light bulbs for your fittings is integral to getting the most out of the fixture. Whilst also enhancing and helping to guide your interiors from room to room.
There's more to a bulb than just 'how bright it is'. We have considered lumens vs lux before as important indicators in choosing bulbs, but what about kelvins?
Kelvins are one of the most important vitals of a bulb that tell us what type of light, and ambience the bulb will create. We take a look at both kelvins and lumens of light bulbs and how to compare the two.
What Are Kelvins?
Kelvins are the unit of measurement for colour temperature. Colour temperature is the way to describe the appearance of the light which is emitted by the bulb. It might also be used as a way to ascertain what ambience is created by that level of light. Kelvins or (K) or measured from 1,000 to 10,000.
Choosing the right colour temperature is paramount to ensuring you achieve the desired level of lighting and ambience for your home. Each colour temperature has an effect on the colour of the light, and ambience it creates.
Below you can see the 3 different colour temperatures demonstrated, their kelvin measurement, their colour temperature and the atmosphere it creates.
What Are The Different Colour Temperatures (kelvins)?
1800K - at the lowest end of the spectrum 1800k creates a very warm and orangey colour temperature. Perfect for creating a vintage and relaxing ambience. Warm light bulbs are best suited to living rooms or rooms designed for relaxation.
3000k - For a warm and cosy atmosphere, 3000k is the perfect colour temperature for you. Warm white bulbs cover between 2000K - 3000K and have a warm inviting glow, suitable for bedrooms, bathrooms, dining rooms and living rooms.
4100k - this is the closest colour temperature to daylight. Cool white bulbs range from 3100 - 4500K and give off a bluey whiter, brighter light. Suitable for situations and places in which good visibility is needed. It works well in the kitchen, as you'll be able to clearly see the colour of your food. It's also great for garages and workspaces too.
What Are Lumens?
Lumens are arguably one of the most important measurements to look for when choosing light bulbs. They measure the amount of light emitted by the bulb. In simpler terms, how bright the light bulb is going to be.
The higher the lumens, the brighter the light is going to be. The chart below demonstrates the colour a light will emit in comparison to its lumen rating.
Kelvins vs Lumens
When it comes to kelvins and lumens they are both incredibly important measurements which should be considered before choosing bulbs.
Kelvins help us to understand and pick the right type of colour lighting for our home, whereas the lumens tell us how bright the light being emitted is going to be.
Lumens help us to work out how many light bulbs will be needed to adequately light a room, based on the amount of light each bulb emits. There are many calculations that can be done to work this out. This is really important if you are planning your lighting design from scratch.
Use both kelvins and lumens when you are next choosing your bulbs to help create the desired amount of light and ambience in your room. This information is readily available on the packaging of bulbs for your perusal.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]Kelvins are one of the most important vitals of a bulb that tell us what type of light, and ambience the bulb will create. We take a look at both kelvins & lumens and how to compare the two.
Unlike other rooms in a house, electrical products and lighting in a bathroom hold specific regulations that must be adhered to for your safety. Light switches should never be installed in a bathroom unless they are operated on a pull cord. Whilst lighting must be suitably IP rated, there is one electrical socket that doesn't carry the same rules.
Shaver sockets are regularly seen throughout bathrooms, and you've probably wondered at some point, is this even safe? And how is it that this socket is allowed, but others aren't? We explore this exception to the rule and the recommended locations of shaver sockets in a bathroom.
Can You Put A Shaver Socket In A Bathroom?
Electrical shaver sockets can be placed in a bathroom. But they do need to follow certain rules for it to adhere to regulations. Generally speaking, the only type of shaver socket allowed in a bathroom is the type with a transformer. But there are certain exceptions to this.
When choosing a shaver socket, always look for British Standard BS3535 mark to ensure it is suitable for use in the bathroom. This is the specification for industrial and domestic safety isolating transformers).
Low voltage shaver sockets should only be used in a bathroom. In accordance with the updated 17th edition of the IEE Wiring Regulations, it is safe to install electric shaver sockets in your bathroom providing the socket is 110v and installed in zone 2 or beyond. Never use a socket that exceeds 240v anywhere in your bathroom, the higher voltage puts you at risk of electrocuting yourself.
Recommended Locations In Bathroom For Shaver Socket
Electrical shaver sockets must always be within a safe distance from the sink, bath or shower to avoid splashes. They must be located more than 3m from the edge of a bath or shower. A popular location for a shaver socket is near a sink, windowsill or shelf, where it can easily be charged between uses.
With certain exceptions, a shaver supply unit complying with BS EN 61558-2-5 may be installed in zone 2 of a location containing a bath or shower (Regulation 701.512.3 refers). But they must still not be fitted any closer than 600mm from the bath or shower.
Can A Shaver Socket Charge A Toothbrush?
If the shaver socket is a 2 pin reversible plug then you can charge a toothbrush directly with the socket. If it is a 3 pin shaver socket then you will need a relevant adaptor for the socket.
Shaver sockets are not as common a feature in bathrooms as they used to be. But for ease and convenience they can still hold a place in the bathroom. Just ensure you check all manufacturing information before purchasing to ensure they adhere to the up to date safety regulations.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]Whilst lighting must be suitably IP rated, shaver sockets do not carry the same rules. We look at the reasons why and explore some of the recommended locations.
When choosing bulbs, one of the most common drivers of your purchase might be how they look aesthetically, and how bright the light is. But really, there are many more important considerations to make when choosing the right lightbulb that go deeper than the aesthetic face value.
We've previously explored lumens and watts on our blog, but what about lux? It's one of the most overlooked features of a bulb, but one that should still be considered, we take a look at lumens and lux, and what the main differences of the two are.
Lumens VS Lux
What Are Lumens?
Lumens are one of the most important indicators to look for in a light bulb. They measure the total amount of light emitted by the bulb, in simpler terms, how bright the light bulb is going to be. The higher the lumens, the brighter the light is going to be. The chart below demonstrates light output in comparison to its lumen rating.
Light colour temperature is unrelated to lumens and lux, however. If you would like to read more about colour temperature, visit our blog What is Colour Temperature? for more information.
What Is Lux?
Lux measures the amount of light output in a singular area. It can be the result of multiple light bulbs and even daylight mixed in. In comparison to lumens, one lux is equal to one lumen per square meter. This figure allows us to measure the total amount of visible light which is present, and the intensity of the light on a surface. This will give you an indication of what direction the light source shines. For example, with a lamp, lux is usually indicated in the centre of the beam where the intensity of the light is highest.
The Difference Between Lumens & Lux
In layman's terms, the main difference between these two figures is that lumens is a measurement of how bright a light is going to be, whilst lux tells us where that amount of light output is going to be in a specific area.
Lux is a measure of illuminance, the total amount of light that lands on a surface. It takes into account the area over which the luminous flux (lumens) is spread. A flux of 1000 lumens, concentrated into an area of one square metre, lights up that square metre with an illuminance of 1000 Lux.
Lumens is a measure of luminous flux, the total amount of light emitted in all directions.
Which Should I Use?
You might be thinking, but which one should I be using when looking for new light bulbs? If you are looking to light a specific area such as a tabletop, work surface or for reading then the figure you need to pay attention to is lux. Without a sufficient lux level the area that you need the most light in will suffer.
However, lumens is still one you should pay attention to as you want to know how much light one lightbulb will emit. When planning your lighting setup, this is important for working out how many light bulbs you might need to adequately light a room.
Both of these figures are important to help create a well informed purchase, and to get the most out of your lighting. Lumens and Lux are both readily available pieces of information which should be visible on the packaging of most bulbs.
If you'd like to know more, check out our blog What is Lux Level? for more information on lux levels.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]We take a look at lumens and lux of light bulbs, what these two features mean, and which one you should look for when buying bulbs.
The lighting scheme in your bathroom is one of the most important rooms to get right. It requires flexibility and control over your lighting, whilst the lighting in a bathroom must comply with zonal regulations for safety reasons.
Downlights are one of the most popular, and common choices for lighting a bathroom. Distributing even lighting and adding flexibility with dimmable downlights, and a dimmer. But with certain zones in a bathroom, is it safe to use them? We explore using downlights in your bathroom, and what precautions you need to take.
Can Downlights Be Used In A Bathroom?
Downlights are in fact one of the best types of lighting for a bathroom, but you need to ensure that they carry the correct IP rating. This rating is the protection level against potential dirt and moisture.
The bathroom is split into 3 different zones, as demonstrated below which help you to understand what IP rating is needed for each zone. But, what exactly do they mean?
Zone 0
This is inside the bath or the shower itself. Any fitting here must be low voltage (max 12v) and be rated at least IP67 (total immersion proof). This is the highest IP rated downlights possible, although you generally wouldn't light this zone in a bathroom.
Zone 1
This is the area above the shower or bath, to a height of 2.25m from the floor. Here the minimum rating required is IP46, but it is generally better to go higher - to IP65. This will enable you to match all downlights throughout the room.
Zone 2
This is the area 0.6m outside of the perimeter of the bath and up to 2.25m from the floor. An IP rating of at least IP44 is required here. It is also good to consider the area around a sink, within a 60cm of any tap to be considered as zone 2.
Whilst IP44 downlights are appropriate for zone 2 in a bathroom, it is generally best practice to go higher and use IP65 + rated downlights throughout a bathroom for maximum protection, and also so they match throughout.
In zone 0 downlights need to carry an IP rating of 67+, although it is unlikely you would choose to light such an area so low down.
Dimmable Downlights In A Bathroom
As long as they are suitably IP rated for the respective zones in a bathroom, dimmable downlights are a great option for a bathroom. They allow you to set the ambience and level of brightness as your mood permits. If using dimmable downlights, ensure you install a dimmer switch with the setup. This gives you greater flexibility over your lighting design. Just ensure that dimmer switches are placed outside of the bathroom, as their use is not permitted inside a bathroom.
Other layers of lighting can also be used in a bathroom if they carry the adequate IP rating, but downlights remain one of the safest and best types of lighting for a bathroom.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]We explore using downlights in your bathroom, and what precautions you need to take.
LED light bulbs have been a hot topic for many years now, and we hear a lot about energy efficiency. But are LED light bulbs safe?
LED light bulbs are a smart choice for your home lighting setup. They are much more energy efficient than their counterparts. They'll help to save money over time, and they are better for the environment too.
You might be keen to make that switch to LED bulbs if you are still using halogen bulbs (they have now been banned from sale in the UK). If you've never used LED bulbs before you might be wondering whether they are safe to use in your home.
LED Bulbs Components
A ban on fluorescent bulbs which are mostly used in offices will be banned in 2023. However, these bulbs contain small amounts of mercury. Because of this, these bulbs can't be chucked straight into the bin. They need to be disposed of in a safe way to avoid harming the environment.
LED bulbs do not contain mercury. While the internal components of LED bulbs can sometimes include harmful substances such as lead, they are not considered toxic to us.
As they contain such low levels of substances like this, they can be disposed of safely with your standard rubbish. The components used to make LED bulbs do not pose any risk to us, but if you were to smash one be sure to carefully dispose of it and use gloves when tidying up shattered pieces.
Eyestrain
There are growing concerns about the impact blue light has on eyes as some LED bulbs do emit blue light. Some lighting can also create a glare which can cause eye and head discomfort.
Research is still ongoing, but prolonged or excessive exposure to high-energy visible (HEV) blue light, especially for those under the age of 30, may eventually result in:
- Cataracts
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- Eyestrain
However, whilst some bulbs can emit blue light, it is mostly phone and tablet screens that emit this. Always opt for light bulbs from manufacturers using well-established safety practices.
At Elesi we are members of professional bodies such as the LIA (Lighting Industry Association). This means we conform to their rigorous manufacturing and testing standards on all of our lighting products.
Impact On Sleep Cycles
Blue light can also impact our sleep cycles. This is the reason that we are advised to come off our phones at least one hour before bed. This is because blue light suppresses the production of melanin, a chemical that helps us to sleep.
It can become a problem when we are exposed to blue or bright white lighting at times of the day when our body is getting ready to rest. This can be avoided by using cool white or bright white colour temperatures in rooms that are only used in the morning or afternoons, such as in a home office or garage.
Opt for warm bulbs or warm white bulbs in bedrooms and living rooms where you typically unwind and relax during the evenings.
Installing a dimmer switch with your lighting setup will give you further control over the brightness of lighting. You can then adjust it to suit your activities and the time of day, helping you to sleep better at night.
Dim to warm downlights are an excellent way to shift between cool tone and warm tone light. This makes dim to warm downlights perfect for multi-purpose rooms where task lighting is required for the morning, and rest in the evening.
LED light bulbs offer many benefits to your home and come with little drawbacks. They are safe to use but it's best to consider the right colour temperatures for your home and to install a dimmer switch to give you total control over your lighting setup, at any time of the day.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]LED light bulbs have been a hot topic for many years now, and we hear a lot about their energy efficiency. But are LED light bulbs safe?