D I N I N G RO O M
Do you really have to abide by the recommendedwattage label taped to the lamp cord? Yes. It’s a safety issue. That label lets you know how much heat the fixture can handle without damaging the socket and internal wiring. If you’re using a standard incandescent bulb, you should be especially obedient about the wattage guide. With CFLs and LEDs, you have a little more flexibility: “They use significantly less energy than standard bulbs, so you can go up in wattage if you want a brighter light,” says Rider. No label on your lamp? “Use a CFL or LED to avoid exceeding its wattage,” advises Rider.
B E FO R E YO U B U Y A B U L B , K N O W T H I S
Floodlight-shaped bulbs focus hall lighting on the floor, making nighttime navigation easier. Consider installing a motion-sensing fixture that turns on the light automatically whenever there’s movement— you won’t have to grope for that switch in the dark again.
The goal is to create an intimate atmosphere where you gather for meals, so dimmable bulbs that give off a warm yellow glow are ideal. Vintage-style or candelabra bulbs are a sophisticated choice for chandeliers or pendants.
T H E Y ’ V E G OT THE POWER
T H E P RO S ’ P I C K S
Three bulbs we love for their special talents
S L E E PBET TER BULB
EcoSmart soft white dimmable LED bulb, $30 for six; homedepot.com
“This bulb is compatible with fully enclosed fixtures, meaning it won’t overheat and damage the wires. It’s fine for a kitchen or dining room but especially effective in a hallway, where a soft white glow helps the whole house feel welcoming. It’s also dimmable—great for a light you may want to leave on at night.” —JOEY CORONA
NO-BUGZONE BULB Philips Hue 65W BR30 connected bulb, $62; amazon.com
Bulbrite 776609 7W LED bulb, $13; commercialbulbs.com
“If you want to give an open fixture a vintage vibe, this fully dimmable bulb looks quite authentic. It has LED strips arranged to resemble the thin, glowing filament of an Edison-style bulb— and the amber-tinted globe design gives it that old-fashioned look.” —TERRY McGOWAN,
director of engineering at the American Lighting Association
BRIGHT IDEAS
Find more useful tips from a home-lighting expert at realsimple.com/lightingpro.
PA RT Y BULB
GE C sleepsmart bulb, $20; lowes.com
QUICKIE COST CUTTER
Replace the incandescent bulbs in the five mostoften-used fixtures in your home with Energy Star– rated bulbs and you’ll save about $75 in energy costs each year, according to the EPA.
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“Research from sleep studies led our team to create this smartphone app–controlled bulb. For night, it can provide warm, calm light that doesn’t interfere with your body’s production of melatonin [a natural sleep hormone]. In the morning, it can give off a cool, vibrant light, reducing your body’s production of melatonin and helping you get ready for your day.” —CARMEN PASTORE
REALSIMPLE.COM
Philips 60Wequivalent yellow LED bug-light bulb, $6; homedepot.com “On a covered porch that you want to keep insect-free, try a yellow ‘bug light’ like this. The yellow coating makes it difficult for most flying insects to see, so they are not drawn to the fixure as they are to white bulbs.” —JOEY CORONA
“If you love to entertain, this bulb is a fun way to give your living room a more special feel. You can use your smartphone to change the light to any of the ROYGBIV hues and tons of variations along the way. You’ll also be able to set up a lighting scheme in advance or sync color changes to music. Of course, when you’re not in party mode, this multitasker can behave like an ordinary bulb. It’s pricey, but it has a 25,000-hour lifetime, depending on use—over a dozen years if you use it five hours a day.” —TODD MANEGOLD,
connected homebusiness lead at Philips Lighting North America
T H E R E A L I ST home
H A L LWAY
