Lighting is an essential component of every room in the home. Find out how to pick the right type of light bulb for all of your home lighting needs.
Explore our selection of light bulbs, from LED to fluorescent—we offer many different types, shapes, and colours. Whether you’re lighting your home or workplace, you’ll find a solution to meet all of your lighting needs online or in store.
Your lighting design should suit your home and your lifestyle. Thoughtful pairings of light bulbs and light fixtures provide an appealing look and effective illumination of the room. Understanding the basics of interior lighting will help produce the best results. For a closer look at the role of lighting in home decor, check out our lighting ideas for every room.
Light bulb packaging includes helpful labels that tell you everything you need to make an informed choice. This includes bulb life expectancy, light colour and brightness, estimated yearly cost, energy used, and mercury information.
Lumens and watts are two units that represent the light output and energy use of a light bulb. Get bang for your buck by comparing the life expectancy of light bulbs with the same wattage and lumens and choosing the one that will last the longest.
In 2014, the Government of Canada began phasing out standard incandescent bulbs. Switching to more efficient alternatives is simple if you are familiar with the wattage equivalents.
Use this chart to locate an energy saving equivalent:
The colour of light ranges from soft white to daylight on the Kelvin (K) temperature scale. The lower end of the scale appears more yellow, and the higher end appears bluer.
Even though there are so many choices available, picking the right light bulb is easy once you know what you are looking for. Most light bulbs today are energy-efficient LEDs (light-emitting diodes), which fit all standard light sockets. LED bulbs provide the same light output as traditional incandescent bulbs while using significantly less wattage. They can last for over two decades, and they do not contain any mercury.
The light output of an LED bulb comes from tiny diodes, which illuminate when a current is passed through semiconductive material. Any heat produced in the process is absorbed by a heat sink, allowing the bulb to stay cool to the touch. Cooler bulbs keep the surrounding air cooler as well, lowering the cost of air conditioning. You can even use LED bulbs outside, as long as they are rated for outdoor use.
LED pot lights work the same way as LED light bulbs. One of the most common bulbs for pot lights, they offer an energy efficient way to style your home. LED pot light remodel kits make the transition from incandescent pot lights easy, with a quick installation process.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) are an energy-efficient alternative to incandescent light bulbs and work the same way as fluorescent light bulbs. While CFLs use a lot of energy to turn on, they self-regulate once the current is flowing through them, making them more energy efficient than fluorescent light bulbs. CFLs are the most energy-efficient of all light bulbs. They are also available for outdoor use; make sure the packaging indicates that the bulb is rated for outdoor use.
Due to new standards for energy efficiency, incandescent light bulbs are slowly being phased out. You can, however, still find more efficient incandescent designs, as well as specialty incandescent bulbs like chandelier bulbs.
Halogen light bulbs have many similarities to incandescent bulbs but are more efficient.
Decorative vintage light bulbs, commonly called Edison bulbs, are available in multiple types, including incandescent and LED. They are usually clear and show the double filament that gives off a reddish glow.
Light bulbs offer different shapes and bases for different looks and functions. You can find LEDs to go in everything from pendant lights and ceiling fans to table lamps and wall sconces (and just about any other home lighting fixture). Vintage and decorative bulbs are also available for a touch of stylistic flair.
When looking for a new light bulb, make sure you have a look at more decorative and energy-saving bulbs as well
A classic shape, the A-line light bulb is pear-like shaped and is the most common light bulb shape. A-line light bulbs come in LED, incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, and CFL.
Candelabra light bulbs resemble the shape of a candle flame and are usually found on chandeliers or decorative light fixtures. They are available in LED, incandescent, and fluorescent.
The shape of flood lights allows for a wide range of light that flows away from the bulb. They are commonly used for pot lights, offering accent lighting and overhead lighting throughout the home. Flood light bulbs come in LED, incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, and CFL.
Globe light bulbs are known for their round spherical shape. They are commonly used in bathrooms and makeup vanities. Globe light bulbs are available in LED, incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, and CFL.
Linear shaped light bulbs are cylindrical tubes and are commonly used in industrial and commercial environments. Linear light bulbs are available in LED, incandescent, halogen, and fluorescent..
Specialty light bulbs include bulbs for appliances, retail stores, and decorative light fixtures. They are available in LED, incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, and CFL.
The right grow lights will give you an instant green thumb. Specialty LED grow lights emit a balanced spectrum of blue and red light for a soft and nourishing glow that encourages the healthy growth of seedlings to buds. Support your plants in the flowering and fruiting stage as well with LED lights that provide a red-light spectrum.