How to choose a chandelier: make beautiful lighting at home
A well-chosen chandelier and type of lighting can transform the interior, making the room more comfortable, elegant or noble. Today we will tell how to choose from a huge variety of products a chandelier that is perfect for your home.
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- Which chandelier to choose for the bedroom, kitchen or hall: features of the chandelier glow
- How to choose the type of base chandeliers
- We determine the power of the chandelier
- What are the chandeliers depending on the mount
- Chandelier from which material to choose
- Moisture and dustproof chandeliers
- How to choose a lamp for chandeliers
Which chandelier to choose for the bedroom, kitchen or hall: features of the chandelier glow
Choosing a chandelier in the living room
In the spacious living room it will look good hanging massive chandelier for a few light bulbs or a few lamps. Topical and will be multi-level lighting. If the room has compact dimensions and low walls, you should use a ceiling chandelier.
Crystal chandeliers, sophisticated glass models and luxurious chandeliers with lots of lamps are often used to illuminate the living rooms. It is important to take into account the style of the interior.
Choosing a chandelier in the bedroom
In the bedroom, small-sized chandeliers and near-surface fixtures, whose color temperature is about 3000 K, look most appropriate. It’s good if the room has a dimmer - you can create the most comfortable and relaxing environment with it. In addition to the main chandelier, it is advisable to use additional light sources (floor lamps or table lamps) - in case you want to read before going to bed.
Choosing a chandelier in the kitchen
On small kitchens, ceiling chandeliers, lamps with lampshade and models with small shades look good. For larger rooms, more classical models are suitable, for example, products with 5–6 shades or lamps with hanging chains and candles. It is important to note that chandeliers made of paper, wood, cardboard, branches, dried flowers and leaves (even if the kitchen is made in the style of "ethno", "country" or "eco") is better not to buy. Such products are not protected from moisture and dust and can quickly become unusable.
Choosing a chandelier in the bathroom
In the bathroom is to choose a closed lamp, which can not get moisture and dust. It is desirable that they have a medium or high degree of IP protection. But even in this case, they can not be placed closer than 50-60 cm to the shower or bath.
Choosing a chandelier in the nursery
In the nursery you need to buy a chandelier of durable material. You should not buy crystal or glass models that can injure a little rogue if he decides to check the chandelier for durability or just throw the ball badly. For the same reason, you should not use massive suspended models.
It is important that the child in the nursery be comfortable not only playing, but also reading. At the same time do not forget about the design of the product - the cub should like it. The little ones will be delighted with the cartoon characters or animals depicted on the chandeliers, while the older kids may like ordinary items with a lampshade.
Choosing a chandelier in the hallway
Most hallways have elongated small size. Therefore, they are recommended to choose compact and concise chandeliers. You can also install several built-in lights.
It is desirable that the lighting in the hallway had a warm white color temperature. So, going home, it will be easier for a person to tune in to rest and relieve himself of the tension.
How to choose the type of base chandeliers
The lamp base must match the lamp holder. All bases are denoted by a specific letter and number. The letter indicates the type of base (for example, E - threaded, G - pin), and the figure - size. The most common (classic) is the base E27. This lamp can have any lamp. The second place is occupied by E14 or minion. It has a smaller size and is often used in combination with compact narrow lamps.
Increasingly began to use pin caps. They are used in compact halogen and Led-lamps and decorative lamps. Such bases can have the values G4, G9, G53.
Many Chinese-made chandeliers can have lamps with unusual plinths. Therefore, choose products from trusted manufacturers who indicate all the characteristics of their product.
Choosing a chandelier size
We determine the power of the chandelier
The power of the chandelier is determined by the power of all the lamps. Power depends on the purpose of a room (for children, work, rest) and the size of the room.
When buying, consider that each chandelier is designed for a certain power (indicated by the manufacturer), above which the product may become unusable. You should also take into account that different types of lamps with the same power emit different amounts of light.
For example, to illuminate a bathroom, you need two 40-watt light bulbs or one 10 W LED bulb, and 150–200 W (about 4 incandescent 40 W bulbs) or two 12 W LED bulbs are enough for a medium-sized room.
What are the chandeliers depending on the mount
Depending on the type of fixing chandeliers can be divided into:
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Suspended;
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Surface or ceiling.
Suspended models are suspended on a hook with a flexible suspension. They can have different sizes and a different number of lampshades. The length of the suspension in many models can be adjusted. Chandeliers on long hangings look beautiful in large and spacious rooms. If you use such models in small rooms with a low ceiling, this will make the room even smaller.
Ceiling chandeliers installed using brackets and mounting plate. They are ideal for small rooms with low ceilings. Therefore, they are often used in kitchens, bathrooms, corridors.
Chandelier from which material to choose
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From the material used in the manufacture of chandeliers, depends on the quality, appearance of the product and other characteristics. For example, models with a fabric or paper shade may be flammable. In addition, the fabric tends to accumulate dust. Plastic products, in turn, can begin to melt when the maximum permissible power of the chandelier is exceeded.
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Glass and crystal models are very popular. They have a beautiful appearance and are suitable for many interior styles. Crystal is more expensive than glass, but it creates an aristocratic, refined atmosphere in the house.
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In the manufacture of chandeliers are also often used metal, wood and ceramics. Metal is durable, reliable, fireproof and durable, and wood fits perfectly into any interior. Unfortunately, wooden products should not be used in kitchens or bathrooms, because they do not tolerate temperature fluctuations and high humidity. In addition, the tree attracts insects.
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Products made of ceramics look great, but are notable for increased brittleness. Therefore, wipe these chandeliers should be careful not to violate their integrity.
Moisture and dustproof chandeliers
When buying a lighting device in the bathroom, loggia or terrace, it is necessary to take into account its moisture and dust protection, because it is in these rooms that small water splashes or foreign bodies can get onto the product. The level of its protection is determined by the classification of Ingress Protection (IP). For example, baths often use fixtures with IP 44, IP 65, IP 54. The higher the last two digits, the better the product is protected from dust and moisture. The minimum level of protection for residential premises is IP 20.
How to choose a lamp for chandeliers
First of all you need to decide what type of light bulbs you will use. It can be incandescent, fluorescent, halogen and LED-lamps. Each of these devices has its own advantages and disadvantages. Consider them in more detail.
Incandescent lamps
Incandescent bulbs are a classic. They create light by heating the filament. Previously, they were used almost everywhere, but now they go out of fashion and are replaced by more efficient energy-saving options.
Incandescent bulbs create a warm yellow-white color, and their power is 15-200 W. They can be matte, transparent and colored.
These devices get very hot. For example, a 75-watt bulb after half an hour of work reaches 250 degrees, and a 200-watt bulb - 330 degrees. If you screw the product with too much power, you can damage the chandelier.
Virtues
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Low cost;
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Great for lighting small spaces;
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The brightness of the light bulb can be adjusted using a dimmer;
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Lights up immediately after switching on;
disadvantages
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Fragility - easy to damage;
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The light output of classic light bulbs is about 5-15 lumens per watt. This means that they have low efficiency and cost effectiveness;
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Burn out quickly;
Fluorescent lamps
Fluorescent or energy-saving light bulbs emit soft diffused light.
Virtues
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Such products are four times more efficient than incandescent bulbs. If you replace a 100-watt incandescent lamp with a 22-watt energy-saving lamp, you get the same amount of light. In addition, fluorescent light sources require 50–80% less energy;
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Keep a low temperature (up to 50 degrees) even after hours of work;
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Variety of light spectrum;
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Saving. Although these lamps have a higher cost (compared to conventional ones), they work 10 times longer and use only a third of the electricity. This can not affect your electricity bills and wallet;
disadvantages
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The lamps contain mercury. Therefore, when they stop working, they must be handed over to a special reception center;
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Frequent switching on and off of a fluorescent lamp can shorten its life. Therefore, it is not recommended to use it in rooms where the light will be constantly turned on and off;
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If the lamp has broken, it is necessary to ventilate the room and treat the surfaces of the manganese solutions;
Halogen bulbs
The halogen lamp is an upgraded incandescent lamp. However, the durability of such a model is 2000–4000 hours (for an ordinary incandescent lamp 60 watts - about 1,000 hours). The spectrum of light is close to natural.
These devices use 10–20% less energy than a classical accumulation lamp. They are rarely used in chandeliers, more often in spotlights, car headlights and other sources of bright light.
Virtues
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Less energy cost than its predecessor;
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Small sizes. Halogen lamps can be very compact, and this does not reduce their power;
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Good color quality;
disadvantages
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Heat up a lot. This can damage the details of the chandelier and cause burns;
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Expensive than ordinary incandescent bulbs;
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Halogen lamps must not be touched with bare hands. Fat prints left by the fingers shorten the life of the product;
Virtues
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Less energy cost than its predecessor;
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Small sizes. Halogen lamps can be very compact, and this does not reduce their power;
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Good color quality;
disadvantages
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Heat up a lot. This can damage the details of the chandelier and cause burns;
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Expensive than ordinary incandescent bulbs;
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Halogen lamps must not be touched with bare hands. Fat prints left by the fingers shorten the life of the product;
LED lamps
LED or LED bulbs are as spectacular as fluorescent bulbs, but can last up to three times longer.
Virtues
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High energy efficiency - light output is about 135 lumens / watt;
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Also, when choosing a chandelier, you must decide on the type of basement;
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You can dispose of it like ordinary household waste;
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Durability (higher than that of fluorescent);
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Small heat radiation - they are not dangerous for the details of the chandelier, and you can not get burned about them;
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Hard to hurt;
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Low energy consumption;
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Environmentally friendly - do not contain mercury and other hazardous substances;
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Excellent color rendering;
disadvantages
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High price. But in the end, the purchase is justified, and the consumer goes into a plus.
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In this regard, the neutral light is best to choose for the office or a place where the child does homework, and warm white for the bedroom, living room, nursery. Cold-white lighting should be used for bathrooms and kitchens to create a feeling of cleanliness and freshness.
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Neutral light has the best effect on people's performance, while warm white creates a feeling of comfort and peace. A harsh cold light (about 6,000 K) leads to an increase in concentration, and then increases fatigue. Such coverage is often used in hospitals.
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When buying a lamp, it is important to pay attention to its color temperature. It is measured in Kelvin. Depending on the number of Kelvin, we perceive light as “warm white” (2700–3500 K) “cold white” (5000–7000) or “neutral” (3500–5000). This indicator should indicate the manufacturer on the packaging or lamp instructions.
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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.