Utility closet

LIGHTBULB MOMENT

Overwhelmed by the options in the bulb aisle? Our room-by-room guide makes it easy to pick the right bulb for the right job, improving your home’s mood and safety—and your bottom line.

Written by Amanda Lecky Photograph by Danny Kim

BEDROOM

Warm lighting is helpful for nighttime, when you’re getting ready to sleep; in the morning, cooler, brighter light can help you feel alert. Dimmable soft white bulbs offer both.

LIVING ROOM BATHROOM

BEFORE YOUBUY ABULB,KNOW THIS

This hangout hub calls for warm, yellow light, to create a cozy atmosphere and flatter skin tones. Choose a bulb that’s dimmable, too, so you can amp up lighting when you need it—say, for family game night. This task-oriented room demands a high-quality light. Bulbs labeled “HD” generally offer the most clarity. If you regularly eat in your kitchen, consider a dimmable bulb.

Some experts suggest using “daylight” bulbs, or bulbs with cooler lighting, in the bathroom, as they show colors more accurately. But there’s another school of thought: “You may find a soft white bulb more flattering,” says Rider. (In other words, just how much precision do you want in the bathroom mirror?)

THE PROS’ PICKS

KITCHEN

THE REALIST

home

Philips dimmable LED warm-glow-effect bulb, $8; homedepot.com

“This bulb works with any kind of dimmer. It’s designed to change ‘color temperature’—from a standard soft white to a warmer, more ambertoned light—as it dims. Not all dimmable LEDs do this. Many others just lower the level of light output without actually changing the appearance of the light.” —TIM RIDER, LED product manager at Philips Lighting North America

Utilitech soft white LED decorative bulb, $9 for two; lowes.com

“This works in almost any space. It looks like a traditional incandescent bulb and replicates the light of the soft white bulbs you’re probably used to. But it uses 80 percent less energy and lasts 10 to 20 times as long as those incandescents. Plus, it’s dimmable and very affordable.”

—DEAN KOCHALKA, merchandising vice president at Lowe’s

EcoSmart soft white G25 dimmable frosted LED bulb, $20 for three; homedepot.com

“For a classic look in a bathroom vanity, try an LED globe light. This one has a frosted finish that cuts glare. It also works well in pendant fixtures in work spaces, like above a kitchen island.”

—JOEY CORONA, lightbulb merchant at Home Depot

GE Lighting Reveal high-definition dimmable bulb, $10 for two; homedepot.com

“A light that brings out colors and definition in food is helpful for meal prep and presentation. This LED bulb is made with the rare-earth mineral neodymium, which creates a stronger separation in the way your eye views reds and greens. The result is that all colors look more vivid and whites more brilliant, allowing you to see in sharper detail.”

—CARMEN PASTORE,

consumer marketing manager at GE Lighting

ENERGYSAVING SUPERSTAR

EcoSmart bright white dimmable LED bulb, $33 for six; homedepot.com

“Moodlighting it’s not, but if you want to save on electric bills and not have to buy a new bulb till your 401(k) matures, this is the one for you. It lasts about 20 years and uses nearly 85 percent less energy than a standard incandescent.”

—JOEY CORONA

DIY UNDER-CABINET LIGHTING: If you want to illuminate your counters without spending big on the whole project (say, in a rental), consider Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus ($90 per kit; bestbuy.com). It’s a 6.6-foot strip of LED lights with adhesive backing that you can cut to length, stick in place, and plug in.