Home Renovation, Lighting and Fixtures

Where the job starts: lighting, bath, kitchen or hardware

This area is organized by the job. Indoor lights and lamps cover table, floor, desk and wall fixtures, bathroom fixtures and accessories cover faucets, tubs, mirrors and storage, and further branches hold kitchen fixtures, ceiling fans, hardware and electrical parts, and bulbs. Work out whether you are replacing a fitting that already exists, which means matching its size and connections, or adding something new, which means checking the wall, the wiring and the space.

Lumens, watts and bulb bases: reading the light specs

Brightness is measured in lumens, not watts: an LED that draws 9 W can match an old bulb that drew several times as much, so use the watt figure only to check a fixture's maximum rating. Check the lamp base and bulb type, and count the lamps a fixture takes, since a multi-lamp fixture needs all of them. Outdoor and solar lights also need a weather rating, and solar models depend on how much sun the panel receives.

Questions about Home Renovation, Lighting and Fixtures

Can I put an LED bulb on an old dimmer?

Often, but check that both the bulb and the dimmer are marked dimmable and compatible. A mismatch can cause flicker, buzzing or a limited dimming range. Older dimmers designed for high-wattage bulbs may need a low-load LED dimmer instead.

Which color temperature suits a kitchen or a bedroom?

Warm white around 2700 to 3000 K feels cozy and suits bedrooms and living rooms. Neutral white around 4000 K gives clearer light for kitchens, desks and bathrooms where you need to see detail. Very cool light above 5000 K can feel harsh indoors.

What do the letters and numbers on a bulb base mean?

Bases are named by shape and size: E26 is the common screw base on standard household bulbs, E12 is the smaller candelabra screw base, and GU10 is a twist-lock base for spotlights. Check the old bulb or the fixture label for the base code, because a different base will not fit.