Everyone has a different taste when it comes to lighting fixtures in a kitchen. Regardless of the preferences, one common and sure thing is that there has to be a bulb at that specific fixture. If you walk into a store, you will be amazed at the wide range of available bulbs. Choosing kitchen lighting bulbs can therefore be very complex, although the complexity would depend on you. Finding the appropriate kitchen light bulbs should be a task that you cannot afford to take lightly. Imagine this. You cut yourself when chopping some ingredients, just because you installed bulbs that were not bright enough. You might have to deal with a kitchen that is extremely hot because the installed bulbs produce heat.
This post will not only provide you with a list of the best light bulbs for the kitchen but also help you identify the features that you should look for. We will teach you all you need to know about bulbs. Keep reading.
What you need to know about Bulbs
Before you start choosing a bulb for your kitchen, you should know certain facts about bulbs. These are the features that make each bulb different from the other. You will choose bulbs for your kitchen based on this information. Sounds good?
Kitchen Lighting Color, Design, and More
All these factors depend on the function you intend for your light. In most cases, the lighting is measured using three distinct categories. There are accent, task, as well as ambient.
Ambient lighting is more of a natural type of lighting. It is more of a room’s natural light. The main reason why people install ambient lighting is to increase the natural appearance of a light, reducing the artificial appearance. This light is supposed to fill the entire room. It should be the overall light of that room.
The other type of lighting is accent lighting. This is not light for an entire room. It is a type of highlighting light. People usually install this type of lighting to highlight a specific part of the kitchen. This type of light will create drama and shadows so that a certain deco concept will pop up. In most kitchens, this light is included in specific spaces to show off some expensive glassware or expensive china. Use this type of light in a showcase that holds the luxurious accessories of your kitchen.
The final type is the task lighting, which is meant to be brighter than the ambient lighting. The contrast in this type will focus on a certain area of the kitchen. For instance, this lighting option will work perfectly for areas that are under your cabinet. In some cases, track and pendant lighting will work well when coupled with task lighting. This combination, however, will work well depending on the way the lighting is layered in the kitchen. One other factor that will affect the effectiveness of this lighting combination is the brightness levels. If you have adequate and efficient techniques of lighting, the entire concept will be perfectly prominent.
Ratings for Light Bulbs
It is difficult to find light bulbs with similar ratings. They come with different color warmth, as well as brightness levels. You will find different base styles, as well as wattages. Regardless of this difference in ratings, it should not be hard to pick out a perfect type of bulb for the kitchen for different purposes. The following are units you should use to choose efficient lighting for the kitchen.
Lumens and Watts
A lumen rating is perfect for defining a bulb’s brightness levels. If you purchase a bulb that has higher brightness, it would mean that it has a high lumen rating. Remember, if the lumen rating is extremely high, the entire room will appear unrealistic.
Regardless, certain factors will come into play when it comes to choosing the lumen rating of a bulb. Seems reasonable, right? The brightness level of a room will also have facts to consider too. Think about it this way. If a room is too large, the lumen rating of the bulb should be high, right? Similarly, the color of the walls and the position of the light bulb will be a factor to consider.
The wattage of a light bulb is the measure of power used in lighting. Technology has grown and the idea that using more watts would help increase the brightness has been forsaken. It is the reason why it would be better to use lumens when choosing the right light bulb. As developments arise, LED light bulbs are becoming more popular. These types of bulbs will not only save you energy but also produce more light and serve you for longer. It is recommended that you choose to install LED light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs.
Bulb Types
The type of bulb you prefer to use determines the nature of light your kitchen will have. The different types of bulbs in the market have different performances. They are categorized into four groups. There are incandescent bulbs, fluorescent, LED bulbs, as well as halogen bulbs.
Incandescent bulbs are the most popular because they have been in the market for the longest time. They are popular for producing a warm light.
Compact fluorescent bulbs are available in different shapes, including some spiral-shaped ones. They are miniature fluorescents. The problem? When you install these light bulbs, you have to get used to waiting for them to warm up. However, you should know that they can last up to ten times longer than incandescent bulbs. You can also purchase from a wide range of color temperatures. You should note that they have certain mercury levels. Breaking one would mean extensive cleanup.
LED kitchen bulbs are a bit different. Luckily, it is a good difference. Initially, LED kitchen light bulbs were associated with higher prices. However, now they are popular because they use the lowest levels of energy to provide you with light. As people continue to adopt them and install them in their rooms, they are becoming more affordable and the technology is flexible. Companies are introducing semi-directional, directional, as well as omnidirectional varieties. The omnidirectional has a diffused light and the directional works best when installed in the spotlight. You can also choose from different temperatures and colors. That will help
Halogens are the last type. They are very bright lights and the light that they produce is quite similar to natural daylight. They are perfect for task lighting, such as in cabinets or some sort of display. They work well in showcasing something specific. They use at least 20% less power when compared to the incandescent type. They are popular for being able to produce a warm light only while showing 100% original color on anything. They are not expensive although they are being outgrown in the market. As they become warmer, the light dims.
Color Temperature Ranges
It is important to know that the temperature is measured in Kelvin. A higher Kelvin represents a cooler temperature on the spectrum while a lower Kelvin represents a warmer temperature. You can see better with a cooler bulb, which is what you would want in your kitchen, right? The warmer versions, on the other hand, will give you a cozy feeling, which is why they are perfect for restaurants, as well as lounges. The color produced by a bulb will also affect the dynamic of a room and not just visibility.
You can choose from four different alternatives.
Daylight bulbs produce a white light that is almost bluish. Remember, we stated they produced light that is similar to daylight. Instead of installing them in any part of your kitchen, you should use them in places where you need to see properly. The best kitchen light bulbs for a section in which food preparation is done are the daylight bulbs. In regards to the décor of the house, these lights will make any decorations that are not cool colored pop. Any orange color will turn muddy.
The cool white bulbs are some of the best bulbs for kitchen recessed lighting. They also work perfectly for bathrooms. If the décor is green or blue, it will also work perfectly.
The other type is the soft white bulbs. Soft white is commonly produced by incandescent bulbs. They produce a yellowish and gentle light that is warmer compared to the cool white bulbs. Any red or orange decorations in a room will not pop when placed under a soft white light. It is recommended that you use these lights in rooms whose decorations are not blue.
The final type is warm white, which is around 2400K. This light is more similar to a candle than a bulb. All of them are ambiance. Therefore, they are highly recommended for the dining room, the living room, as well as the bedroom.
Top Product Picks
In this section, we will discuss the best-LED light bulbs for the kitchen. They are the bulbs we believe will give you proper lighting while saving a lot of energy.
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Best Overall: Philips Hue White A19
Smart bulbs are very popular and this is one of the smart models in the market. You can easily control the smart bulb with your mobile device with the touch of a button. You simply need to use the Hue Bluetooth app, which is also free.
The lifetime is 25000 hours, which is similar to 25000 years on average usage.
The bulb also allows you to control it with your voice. When you purchase the package, you will get four bulbs with a warranty for three years. What’s more? You can control up to 50 bulbs, automating them so that the house light turns on or off at specific times depending on your preferences.
Pros
- + Different colors with different Kelvin temperatures
- + Smart Bulbs
- + Great design.
Cons
- – Complaints that it does not work with Google Assistant.
- – Expensive.
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Runner-Up: LiteHistory Dimmable E26
Litehistory bulbs are very popular because they have a beautiful appearance and are very functional. Their design includes a combination of classic design and very innovative technology. It is a glass sphere that has a warm tint.
This bulb has performance LED chips that are positioned in the columns of the sapphire substrate. This way, the bulb can imitate the beautiful appearance of an Edison. At the same time, it can produce the performance and the energy-saving aspect provided by a normal LED bulb. The bulb can emit up to 425 lumens coupled with a warm light tone of 2200 Kelvin. This temperature range is similar to that of an incandescent bulb. The bulb saves up to 90% of the energy that would be used up by an incandescent bulb. The bulb has an average life span of 12 to 15 years and has a manufacturer warranty of three years. It is also dimmable.
Pros
- + Beautiful design
- + Dimmable
- + Saves a lot of energy
- + It is durable.
Cons
- – None.
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GE Reveal EQ A19 60 Watt Dimmable Led Bulb
The GE bulbs are an upgrade of most of the bulbs in the kitchen. They are very popular because of their ability to enhance the decoration colors of any room while saving a lot of energy. The bulb’s light can filter out the yellow light in your room. As a result, the color contrast is improved and the white colors in your house become whiter. The light that these bulbs emit will illuminate the home. If you think about it, they are the best choice for a room in which you require clarity, right? These are the best for kitchens and bathrooms. You might also choose them for rooms in which you participate in your hobbies.
If you use this bulb 3 hours a day, it should last 13 years. It is not only dimmable but works perfectly with most of the dimmer switches. The light produces a light with a temperature of 2850 Kelvin. In each package, you will get 4 bulbs. It also has an A19 size and shape.
Pros
- + They produce adequate light for clarity
- + They have a beautiful design
- + They are dimmable
- + They last long.
Cons
- – There are some complaints about the bulbs flickering after short usage.
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GE Refresh 2-Pack 60 Watt Dimmable A15 LED bulb
This light bulb is made by GE and is created to produce more boldness and color contrast compared to regular LED bulbs. It has a high-definition light that will help to improve the clarity of your laundry room, garage, basement, kitchen, office, playrooms, or any other active space in your house. You can dim the light with ease.
It is free of mercury and will produce instant brightness. Each package has 2 LED bulbs. It will produce a color temperature of 5000 Kelvin.
Pros
- + It saves a good amount of energy
- + It has a bright light
- + Free of Mercury
- + Is affordable
- + Durable.
Cons
- – None.
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Cree 65 W Soft White Dimmable 9W Led Bulb
This bulb is unlike the rest in our top picks. The bulb will produce a dimmable, warm light. It is almost similar to the incandescent bulbs you enjoyed in the past. However, it will save up to 86% energy when compared to regular incandescent bulbs. The bulbs are not only energy-efficient but durable. The bulbs will serve you for approximately 25000 hours, which is the same as 22 hours.
It produces 65 lumens. It is a perfect choice for kitchens.
Pros
- + It lasts longer than the others in the market
- + Saves a lot of energy
- + Less wattage.
Cons
- – Clients complained of some of them flickering
- – The warranty is not five years as advertised.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Should I use daylight bulbs in the Kitchen?
Answer: Daylight bulbs are meant to imitate the natural light of the sun, which means that they will give you clarity in the room in which they are installed. You should place them in a room that requires adequate light to see what you are doing. One of those rooms is the kitchen. You should install the daylight bulbs in the kitchen.
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How bright should a kitchen light be?
Answer: You should start by determining the room’s square footage. Then multiply the length and the width to get the square footage. The room you are in should also determine the brightness. A bathroom and kitchen should also require more light. Make sure that each square footage has adequate light.
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Should kitchen light be cool or warm?
Answer: A cool bulb will give you light so that you can see easily. It is advisable to use cool bulbs in your kitchen instead of warm bulbs that give a cozy feeling.
Conclusion
Before you purchase your bulbs, make sure that you know the amount of light you need in the room. Be sure that you consider the amount of power that the bulb uses and the type of light it produces. It is advisable to be keen when choosing the best-led light bulbs for the kitchen.
Also, read:
Now I’d like to hear from you.
Did I miss one of your favorite kitchen light bulbs?
Or maybe you have a question about something.
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