E27, E14, GU10, GU5.3, G9, G4, GX53… these base codes look like a code, and a mistake means another trip to the store—or a light bulb that stays in the drawer forever. In fact, the system is logical and can be figured out once and for all. In this guide, we explain what the letters and numbers in bulb base names mean, how to identify the base in your light bulb, the differences between common threads and plugs, and what to watch out for when replacing halogen bulbs with LEDs.
The light that greets you at the door when you’re carrying groceries in both hands, keeps out unwanted guests, and never turns on unnecessarily—all thanks to one unassuming component: a sensor. But not all sensors are created equal: PIR sensors react to heat, microwave sensors can see through walls, twilight sensors don’t detect movement at all, and motion sensors can keep the bathroom light on for a full fifteen minutes of inactivity. In this guide, we explain how each type works, which one to choose for which task, how to adjust the sensitivity and light duration, and why a sensor-activated light sometimes “malfunctions”—and how to fix it.
Recessed ceiling lights seem like the simplest lighting in the world: small, unobtrusive, and they fit anywhere. And yet, it is with these that the most design mistakes are made—from the infamous “airport” effect created by twenty spotlights on the ceiling to shadows on the face in the bathroom. The difference between a professionally lit interior and one lit haphazardly is almost always a matter of placement, not the number of fixtures. In this guide: distances from walls and between tiles, number of tiles per square meter, selecting tiles for bathrooms and kitchens, and step-by-step installation.
We buy solar lights in the summer, and our first doubts arise in the fall: will they work in the winter? Will the frost damage the battery? Should we store them in the garage or leave them in the garden? We answer all these questions—and explain how a little maintenance in October translates to full brightness in June.
Burning eyes at 4:00 p.m., neck tension, waning concentration—before you blame the monitor, take a look at your desk. When working remotely or studying, lighting is the most common—and also the cheapest to fix—cause of eye strain. Here are some tips on how to position your desk lamp, what color and brightness of light help you concentrate, and how a good desk lamp differs from a cheap one you might find at a discount store.
Statistically speaking, stairs are the most dangerous place in the home—and yet we usually leave their lighting for last, if we plan it at all. Meanwhile, well-placed stair lighting not only prevents trips and falls, but can also transform an ordinary staircase into the most striking feature of the interior. We’ll show you the best height for installing stairwell lights, when to choose wall sconces and when to use LED strip lighting on the steps, and how to automate the whole system with motion sensors.
Two identical lamps can create completely different interiors—all it takes is a 2700 K bulb in one and a 6000 K bulb in the other. Color temperature is, alongside power, the most important parameter of a light source, yet it is also the one most often overlooked when making a purchase. We explain the difference between warm and cool light tones, what color temperature to choose for your living room, kitchen, and bedroom, and why 6000 K is almost never a good idea for your home.
