A bathroom does not light up like a living room ! This evidence highlights the essential role of the bulb. In fact, choosing a bulb also means choosing a type of lighting , an atmosphere, an illumination capacity or a color temperature. Small tour of the house, room by room, to choose the appropriate bulbs.
1. THE BA-BA TO CHOOSE YOUR BULB
Already, in terms of lighting, never choose a bulb whose power and intensity would exceed those indicated on the luminaire .
Then, know that choosing a bulb is choosing a particular luminous efficiency, a color rendering index and a special technology (spotlight bulb, LED …). So, before buying your bulb, ask yourself the following questions: the type of activities carried out in the room, work or relaxation, in order to determine the required illumination. Then associate them with other factors: the luminaire efficiency indicated on the luminaire packaging, the type of diffuser (opaque, transparent shade, shape, etc.), the number of light sources but also the factor of reflection.
WHAT DOES IRC MEAN?
CRI stands for Color Rendering Index, not to be confused with color temperature, expressed in Kelvin.
This index is paramount when you choose your lamp . It allows you to define the ability of the lamp to restore colors.
The quality of light emitted by a lamp is classified from 0 to 100. The “ideal” color is 100, this is the maximum index, it is equivalent to daylight.
Incandescent and halogen bulbs have a CRI close to 100: they produce a white and regular light.
CRI is often indicated on lamps using a three-digit code that combines CRI and color temperature. Only the first number concerns IRC. For example, fluorescent lamps with codes 930 or 940 offer excellent color rendering.
TIP: reserve lamps with an IRC 70-79 for hallways , and those with an IRC 60-69 or lower to illuminate the garage or cellar. Light tubes with a low CRI are often marked “standard”. Bulbs equipped with LEDs have an IRC between 75 and 85.
2. THE BULBS TO CHOOSE IN A LIVING ROOM
In a living room, choose compact fluorescent or energy-efficient bulbs for general lighting and as a light base. In fact, the light bulbs in living rooms are often on for a longer period of time. Note that it is necessary to provide approximately 300 lux in a living room, which is equivalent for example to approximately 6 or 7 light points in a 25 m² living room with 20 watt compact fluorescent bulbs.
In terms of color temperature, bulbs between 2,500 and 3,500 Kelvin are recommended for the warm lighting they provide. For accent lighting, use spots or LEDs.
In the dining room , prefer compact fluorescent bulbs between 3500 and 4500 Kelvin. Warning: very few compact fluorescent lamps are compatible with a dimmer.
WHAT DOES KELVIN MEAN?
Kelvin is a unit for classifying lamps according to the color of their luminous flux.
This color of light is expressed on a scale of degrees Kelvin, symbolized by K. This classification therefore makes it possible to evaluate the type of color diffused by the lamp when it is on at full efficiency. The color temperature of the lamps range between 2000 K and 10000 K.
The lower it is, lower than 4000 K, the more the light emitted tends towards warm colors, therefore restful and intimate.
The higher it is, greater than 5300 K, the more dynamic it is and the more the light draws towards the blue. This is what we recommend for functional office, worktop or dressing room lighting.
Incandescent lamps, conventional or halogen, have a color temperature of 2500 to 3400 K.
Compact fluorescent lamps have made progress in this field: their range now extends from warm white, 2700-3000 K to cold white 5500 K, in passing through the intermediate white 4000 K. Many white LEDs produce a bluish light, around 6000 K, but some emit a warmer white.
3. CHOOSE A LIGHT BULB FOR THE BEDROOM
Opt for compact fluorescent lamps with a color temperature of between 2,500 and 3,000 Kelvin for general lighting. Be careful, compact fluorescent bulbs should be avoided on bedside lamps because of the electromagnetic fields they emit at less than 30 cm. For reading lights, opt for LEDs, having a low blue quotepart.
Finally, for the dressing room, it is important to choose lighting with a good color rendering index (CRI) for a faithful rendering of colors. The Led strips are particularly effective for this targeted and powerful lighting.
4. LIGHT BULBS FOR A CHILD’S ROOM
Safety comes first! Ideally, choose cool bulbs, especially on bedside lamps and reading lights. Some 5 watt LEDs in the shape of an incandescent bulb with a large screw cap are ideal: they are equipped with an anti-glare filter, they remain cold and are unbreakable.
Beware of LEDs with a high blue portion, harmful to the sensitive retina of children.
ARE THERE SAFE LIGHTS FOR CHILDREN?
There is no specific standard for children’s bedroom lights, however manufacturers have made real efforts in terms of safety.
– The CE standard guarantees that the luminaire has secure electrical wiring but nothing else.
– You will therefore preferably turn to products designed for children’s rooms. In particular lamps where access to the bulb is made impossible by specific covers or lampshades. Always check that the foot is stable.
– Halogen lamps, incandescent bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, all emit a strong heat. Be careful on this point and never cover a lampshade with a fabric to dim the light! Fun and secure night lights and portable lamps are numerous on the market.
– Avoid placing second-hand lights in a child’s room, the electrical equipment of which may be faulty.
– You will also remove the LEDs whose light according to the opinion of the Health Security Agency (ANSES) can cause a glare harmful to the vision of the child.
– The NFC 71000 standard may be another benchmark. It allows you to identify fixtures that may ignite surrounding surfaces when recessed. 1 F designates a luminaire whose installation is authorized on surfaces presenting a risk of fire, normally and hardly flammable. 2 F in places with higher fire risks.
5. POWERFUL LIGHT BULBS IN THE OFFICE
400 or 500 lux are required in a room where one works such as the office. Energy-saving halogen lamps are useful for reading or working because they give off a bright light. Desk lamps with LEDs are also effective.
6. COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS IN THE KITCHEN
300 lux are recommended for a good level of lighting in the kitchen. Choose compact fluorescent bulbs for general lighting. The strips fitted with halogen bulbs or LEDs are an ideal solution to illuminate the worktop in a way that is both homogeneous and targeted.
FOCUS: KITCHEN LIGHTING, INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
Cooking, eating, working, entertaining … The kitchen has become a multifunctional space. To successfully illuminate this essential room, it is necessary to combine three light sources: general lighting, functional lighting and mood lighting.
– Mix the types of lighting
For general lighting in the kitchen, direct lighting is essential. It must diffuse a homogeneous light. In this case, several solutions are possible: pendant lights , ceiling lights , wall lights or recessed spotlightsin a false ceiling can perform this function. And for the different activity zones, functional and localized lighting must be added. On the worktop, sink and hob, provide directional lighting and install lighting with good intensity, both precise and well distributed, with bulbs with a CRI (Color Rendering Index) Student.
The worktop can be lit with strips or spotlights under the wall units. If you don’t have wall units, opt for spot lights that are also very decorative. Finally, if you do not have a hood with integrated lighting above the hob, provide a light point there.
– Lighting adapted to the configuration of your kitchen
Adapt the lighting to the configuration of the room. In an American-style kitchen, pay particular attention to the aesthetics of your lighting and play on the homogeneity of style with the living room. In a kitchen with a central island or a bar, provide dedicated lighting on these areas. The dining area, whether it is a bar or a table, requires dedicated lighting diffusing a light that is both pleasant and friendly. Choose a beautiful pendant lamp or wall lights fitted with bulbs with a warm white color temperature. For the suspensions, leave about 70 cm free between the table and the bottom of your lamp. Our advice: ideally, install a dimmer to modulate the light intensity and vary the moods.
– Finally, think about decorative lighting!
In a designer kitchen, you can also add LEDs embedded in the ground or in the baseboards; or light up the interior of tall “showcase” furniture in a classic and elegant kitchen.
7. THE CHOICE OF LIGHT BULBS IN THE HALLWAY AND STAIRCASE
Avoid compact fluorescent bulbs that are too long to reach their full light output in a hallway or staircase. Bet on economical halogen bulbs or LEDs. Corridors for example require less lighting, 100 lux is recommended. On the stairs, think of recessed LEDs to mark the steps.
8. FULL SPECTRUM BULBS IN THE BATHROOM
This piece of water requires light close to daylight. It is therefore necessary to choose bulbs with an excellent CRI (more than 80). Close to the mirror, full spectrum bulbs or close to daylight are ideal in particular for waking up on the right foot. Leds are also effective because, despite a low light output, they provide sufficient light for small spaces.
FOCUS: LAMPS AND BULBS CLOSE TO DAYLIGHT
Daylight lamps? Kesako? A short explanatory guide to so-called daylight lamps and bulbs: how to spot them, when to use them, why choose them?
– “Daylight” lamps A “daylight”
type light is supposed to remind you of the light you can see through your window. Shaded blue due to the color of the sky, daylight is typically 6,000 Kelvin or more. The fewer kelvins, the warmer the diffused light and tends towards orange yellows. Be careful not to confuse “natural light” bulb and “full spectrum” bulb. Full spectrum bulbs are able to reproduce light close to that of the sun at noon on summer days. They are more than daylight bulbs …
– Choosing the right “daylight” lamp
To help you get your bearings, a compact fluorescent daylight bulb oscillates between 4500 and 5500 K. A full spectrum bulb oscillates between 5500 and 6500 K. The sun at the zenith produces a cold light of 5500 K , the sun in high summer on a clear day diffuses a light of 6000 to 6500 K. Finally, note that this temperature index is not indicated on the energy label of the bulbs but mentioned on the packaging of serious brands in the form of a three-digit code. For example 827: the last two digits indicate the color temperature – 2700 Kelvin in this example.
– Daylight bulbs recommended for functional lighting
These lamps emitting a light close to that of the day are essential for certain activities because they diffuse a light less tiring for the eyes and less distorting for the colors (especially if they are coupled with a good CRI). At home, it is a preferred choice for lighting your office but also the kitchen worktop, the bathroom or the dressing room. It is much more comfortable lighting for activities requiring concentration.