Buy the Right Lightbulb for the Right Spot!

The lighting research is clear:

• Warm light, particularly when it’s dimmer, helps us feel relaxed, creative, and sociable.It’s no coincidence that the Scandinavian way-of-life, hygge (described in detail here), features candles and firelight.
• Cooler brighter light encourages us to be more active, to focus on a mental task, and in short, get things done.It’s great for hallways, exercise areas, and many offices (at least when creative thinking isn’t a priority).

You can tell whether a light bulb will produce warm or cool light easily—it’s package will describe its output.

One of the most straightforward ways to regulate the intensity of light is to turn different numbers of lights on—fewer lights on, dimmer light.

Where to place light also matters.

• You can create different zones in a space, geared to different uses, by varying the colour and intensity (particularly the intensity) of light present.
• We’ll feel the space is larger when it’s walls are lit and cozier when the light in it is brighter in some areas and not so bright in others); it’ll also seem warmer when the walls are lit.
• Warm light is best positioned in lights on tabletops and in floor lamps while cooler light will work its magic most effectively if it appears overhead.
• Using warm and cool bulbs in a space simultaneously can create a disjointed, unplanned look. Turn on one or the other, the warm or cool bulbs, based on your plans, not both.