If you are like most people, you are stocking up on the old light bulbs because you don’t know what or how to use the new ones. Today, lighting is one of the most changed elements of design we have, and we need to learn “How to Use it.”

The old incandescent bulb wastes 90% of its energy as heat, not light
LED (Light-Emitting Diode) is at least 75% more efficient than the traditional incandescent light bulb.

So Why Wouldn’t We Use Them?

There are a lot of powerful design elements in one little bulb! You just need to find the right one for your lifestyle. If you do nothing else, go buy several LED bulbs and take before and after pictures so you can see the results for yourself. There are a few easy guidelines that will help you in this journey.

First, let’s look at the colors in the space.

• Colors like magenta, red, red-orange, orange, gold, and yellow are warm, and using a warm light bulb is usually the way to go.
• Colors like green, teal, blue, indigo and purple would look best with lights that are cool.
• Buy several of both and play with the look and feel. You can always return the ones that didn’t work. The lampshade also makes a difference. If it is gold, a cool light bulb is the better choice. The “before and after” picture will tell you.

Remember, Windows Let in Light as Well

What exposures are they?

• Southern or Western Exposure—Warm light coming from the window
• Eastern or Northern Exposure—Cool light coming from the window

Every Room Should Have Three Levels of Lighting

1. Task to work by
2. General illumination to get fill the space; it usually comes from the ceiling
3. Mood lighting, which usually comes from the floor up

You don’t have to turn them all on at once, but it will change your space and give you new looks during the evening.

Window Treatments Play a Part in Lighting Too

You can control light with the addition of window treatments. The materials and opacities you select will provide different effects, for example:

• The natural fibers used in Provenance® Woven Textures will filter light gently
• A semi-opaque fabric in a Duette® Honeycomb Shade will soften the light
• Blinds with louvers like Heritance® Hardwood Shutters will allow you to tilt the light up or down

At Windows, Walls & More serving West Bloomfield, we’ll be happy to discuss lighting elements and how your window treatment choices can impact them.

Window Treatments and Light Control in Farmington Hills, MI

Windows, Walls & More was established in 1977 and has become the leader in window treatments and window treatment motorization, as well as wallpaper, interior design and more. With a beautiful Hunter Douglas Gallery showroom in West Bloomfield, Windows, Walls & More serves West Bloomfield and the surrounding areas, including Franklin, Livonia, Birmingham, Farmington Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Commerce Township, Northville and Novi.

Stop by our Hunter Douglas Gallery to see our many functional window covering displays. For more information, or to schedule your free in-store consultation, give us a call today at 248-661-3840.