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12 Tips for Choosing and Hanging the Perfect Dining Light

by admin · Jun 2, 2023

Whether it’s time to impress your new neighbors or host an important business dinner, your dining room is a high-impact space that communicates a lot about you. Some dining rooms are an informal extension of the kitchen, while others are a spacious, separate room. No matter what yours looks like, choosing the right design (and light) can create the perfect setting for all occasions.

Size

1. To determine the best size for your fixture, use this formula: Length + Width = diameter of your ideal light. Example: 10’ (length) + 14’ (width) = 24” (width of your light). It’s a general rule, so use it at your own discretion and adapt to suit your preferences!

2. Long dining tables call for bigger lights. Consider a long track light or even mount two fixtures on either end of the table. It’s a great way to emphasize your lovely, lengthy dining space!

Style

3. The style you select reflects your personal taste, but also affects the function of the light. Shaded lights provide soft, subtle light, while glass fixtures diffuse light more brightly and evenly. Exposed bulbs provide the most clear, crisp light.

4. If your dining room branches off your kitchen, consider matching the finish of the dining light to the finish of kitchen lights or hardware.

5. If your dining room is separate from the kitchen, feel free to choose a distinct finish for a unique dining room atmosphere. Just remember that it should still ‘live well’ with any visible fixtures from surrounding rooms.

Height

6. Know your ceiling height before selecting a light. Most fixtures are designed for an 8-foot ceiling.

7. If you have a vaulted ceiling, use some of that space for the fixture, but keep it mounted low enough that it still feels like a cohesive part of the dining table ensemble.

8. Proper mounting height is 30-36 inches from the top of your table to the bottom of the fixture. That figure can be a little higher on a taller ceiling.

9. Fixtures with decorative pieces or hanging crystals may hanger lower than the recommended 30-36”. For these fixtures, measure to the frame of the light instead.

Wattage

10. The general recommendation for dining light output is 300 watts. This is especially true for rooms with lighter paint colors.

11. In dining rooms with darker paint, consider choosing bulbs that provide 400 watts or more.

12. For additional control and extra ambiance, use dimmable bulbs and install a dimmer switch in your dining room. It’ll serve equally well for full-light projects and dimly-lit romantic dinners.

Make your dining room an inviting space with an expressive, efficient fixture. For any additional questions, feel free to contact our expert team here at Watts Current. We’re here to help you make your dream home!

Outdoor Lighting: 27 Easy Ways to Light Up Every Season

by admin · May 26, 2023

The shifting seasons signal change, and the use of your outdoor lighting also changes with the seasons! The days get longer and shorter, the weather can be wild, and our activities vary to adapt to the temperatures. In some seasons good lighting is good enough to just look good, but in other cases, it serves an important function for safety, convenience, or task performance.

With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of ideas that will help you stay on top and on-trend this year. While many of these ideas work best in a certain season, all of them can be used year-round. Creativity is key, so you have our full permission to let your imagination run wild!

Spring

1. Green and Gold

Golden lights look stunning against greenery. It’s a quick way to make your outdoor decor pop, and one of our favorite looks for spring. String lights are one of the easiest ways to spiff up your bushes or topiary, but feel free to experiment with lanterns or even LED lights.

2. Spotlight Your Statues

Flowers may not be blooming yet, but that doesn’t mean your yard can’t be eye-popping! Lanterns and spotlights can highlight your unique yards décor, such as water features or statues. This way, the yard still has decorative focal points while any greenery develops.

3. Down Below

If you prefer a low-profile look for your lights, in-ground lights are a great option to consider! Embedded in your pathways or curbing, these lights are especially appropriate if you’re concerned about children or pets crashing into a typical post light.

4. Garden Path

It’s a classic look for a reason. Use posts, in-ground lights, shepherd’s hook lanterns, or anything else you can think of to light your beautiful walkway. As an extra bonus, it enhances safety in addition to the atmosphere! Just wait until sundown and enjoy it.

5. Hanging Out

It’s standard to hang grouped indoor lights at varying heights, and the design principle works just as well with outdoor lighting. One way to achieve good light layering outdoors is to use trees. Try hanging lanterns or pendants from the branches, having several usually works best.

Summer

6. Solar Pegs

Do you love those long summer days? Make good use of the stretching daylight by converting that sunlight into brighter nights! Solar lighting is a no-brainer for varied outdoor uses since it’s eco-friendly, incredibly versatile, and easy to install.

7. Bar and Grill

Taking dinner outside? Post bright lights around your prep area. It’ll serve a dual purpose: plentiful lighting for your cooking tasks, and distracting lighting to draw bugs away from your food and drinks while you’re dining.

8. Summer Nights

Colorful lights get the excitement going at any party. Achieve a festive look with string lights, an LED spotlight, or another event-specific lighting. For maximum spread, shine them on a white wall or across your pool.

9. Walk, Not Run

Pool lighting is primarily a matter of safety, but it can be fun too! LEDs and white light are great for providing bright, natural-looking light. Plus, they’re the most energy-efficient type of lighting, so you’ll rarely have to change a bulb.

10. Patio Fans

On those gorgeous, warm afternoons, treat yourself to a cool breeze from an outdoor fan. They’re treated for weather, dampness, and other outdoor conditions, so kick back and keep things classy with a nice patio fan.

11. Water Features

Subtle lighting on your water features will add to their natural beauty and make your backyard feel even more luxurious. For extra effect, place your fixture in a bed of rocks or plants to emphasize that sparkling water.

12. Beam-ing

If you have outdoor beams or a pergola, lights at a mid or high level will make them more inviting. Add that to some comfortable seating, and you’ve got the makings of a social hotspot.

Autumn

13. String Together

These are quickly becoming a staple for any outdoor space. String lights can take any shape, and they create a wonderfully cozy atmosphere. The real question is, bulbs or fairy lights?

14. Warm Light

The color of light affects us psychologically, and warm light is known to help the brain relax. It’s a good pick for autumn, with the dwindling excitement of summer and cozy vibes of the season. Spread some warm light on those chilly evenings and settle into these beautiful, cooler months.

15. Glowing Lanterns

Autumn decor is all about the rustic look. For some seasonal vibes, place mobile lanterns near furniture and walkways. Pumpkins are optional, but encouraged!

16. Smart Lighting

When the sunset becomes unpredictable, smart lighting ensures that you’re prepared for any activity at any time. Set automatic schedules for a boost in home security or adjust the lights manually from your device.

Winter

17. Holiday Cheer

Keep it simple or go all out—it’s your choice! There are plenty of creative options to suit any type of dwelling, landscaping, and style. Use string lights to outline structures, or add a few personal touches with illuminated character decor. You can’t go wrong!

18. Archway

Archways are a classy space for some creative fun. Add some pizzazz to the most barren season by lighting up an at-home archway. Color the lights for a specific holiday, or keep some warm, white lights shining all winter long.

19. Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Why be satisfied with lighting that just looks good? Multifunctional items are the way to go, with specially designed lamps that provide both heat and light. Better yet? They use electrical current to warm you up, so there’s no gas or fire.

20. One Step at a Time

Keep stairs well-lit and you’ll be glad you did! Especially when the ice hits… We recommend individual lights for each step, as they give much better coverage than one generic overhead fixture. They also add some visual intrigue to the side or under steps.

21. Outdoor Chandelier

One fixture can transform “simple” into “simply amazing”. Standalone chandeliers catch attention like no other, so if you want an easy way to elevate, this is for you. Modern and classical designs both work well, even in a natural outdoor setting.

Year-Round Strategies

22. Make an Entrance

Curb-appeal is what you make it. Attractive entrance lighting lends a “welcome home” feeling to your space. In fact, the light that shines from the top downwards adds emphasis, so you could even consider adding exterior lights to upper floors and trims.

23. Driveway

Guiding posts for your driveway will not only add visual appeal but can help drivers pull in straight every time. They’re great for everyone, but especially any new drivers in the family!

24. Properly Addressed

Courtesy is in the little things. Help others find you by spotlighting or backlighting your address numbers. Simply connect lights to a switch or use smart lighting to save energy when it’s not in use.

25. Motion Sensing

Whether it’s raccoons or robbers, you should know when you have uninvited guests. Update your home security system or start one with motion-activated lights. These lights will help your cameras catch valuable footage, even if it’s only of the neighbor’s cat.

26. Up and Away

For those that love to make the outdoors their centerpiece, consider recessed ceiling lights on your porch or patio. It’s a subtle way to light the space without taking away from nature’s beauty.

27. Upscale for Cheap

Putting LEDs in furniture, fences, or privacy features will add some extra style to the functional pieces in your yard. Add them to bland focal pieces and enjoy the extra atmosphere!

Come rain or shine, you can have outdoor lighting that improves your quality of life and looks stylish. Whether you opt for automated lighting, string lights, or traditional fixtures, we hope this has inspired you to light up your piece of the world. When you have lighting needs, whether design or electrical related, consider Watts Current—your friends who get it done.

Living Room Lighting and Interior Design: A Style Guide

by admin · May 19, 2023

When your living room needs an update, it’s easy to look to the obvious like replacing your couch or painting your walls. While these things are definitely important, don’t make the mistake of skipping one of the most crucial design elements in a space – your lighting!

Lighting can completely change the way a room looks and feels, and it affects how we interact with our spaces either for the better or the worse. For your redesign to really pull together, you need to make a plan for your lighting. Find ways to create “layers of light” with a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting. Tailoring your lighting to the way you use your space will make your living one of your favorite places in your home.

Living room light fixtures come in a huge variety of styles and finishes, so no matter the style you’re going for, there’s a light fixture that will suit your space! To help you bring a new life to your living room, we put together this style guide for you with some stunning light fixtures in beautiful living rooms that are sure to get your creative juices flowing!

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Country Chic

Rustic rooms make the most out of simplicity and carry a certain quaint charm. It’s easy to make a room that already has a lot of wood details in it feel rustic, but if your space is lacking lumber, you can add it with your furnishings and fixtures! If you’re looking for a touch of that Country Chic vibe, look for fixtures made with natural materials like wood or iron, and stick to neutral colors on the shades.

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Contemporary Cool

If antlers are really not your thing and you prefer your living room to feel modern and minimalist, look into contemporary light fixtures. The best way to get that contemporary vibe is with fixtures that are sleek and glossy, and composed of simple, clean lines. Geometric chandeliers and angular lamps mesh with a modern, contemporary style perfectly. Stick with neutral colors like black and white, then add some shine with metallic accents.

Eternally Classic

Sometimes you can make a space feel new by adding pieces that have been around forever. A beautiful piece of heirloom furniture is timeless and classic, like a little black dress or a bold red lip. Traditional lighting staples like an elegant, romantic chandelier will never go out of style! Want something smaller, but still eye catching? An antique lamp hand-picked from a flea market or inherited from grandma will help your living room tell a story that means something to you. Time-proven pieces blend well into many décor styles, and they give your space a richness in design and history that you just can’t replicate.

Beachy Brilliance

If you long for the sound of crashing waves and the feeling of sand beneath your toes, then you already know how the color palette of the sea is cool, calm, and relaxing. Bring that feeling home with you by going nautical with your living room décor. Decorate with coastal colors like whites, blues, and sandy tans, and find pieces and natural wood tones. A ceiling fan is a great overhead fixture that doubles as your own personal man-made sea breeze. Stick with neutral colors and natural materials for your light fixtures. Add a little visual interest with an unexpected material, like the gold trim on these pendant lights that’s a nod to the industrial lights on the wharf, or a statement chandelier made from natural materials like jute or glass.

Hollywood Glamour

You don’t need to be an A-list celeb to have a swanky living room! Make your space feel extra luxurious with silver, gold, or crystal accents. Be bold and add a gorgeous focal point that’ll wow your guests, like a sparkling chandelier that draws the eyes up and catches every shred of light. If an oversized chandelier won’t work in your living room, look for smaller overhead pieces with glitzy details and luxe lamps that will elevate your design and bring your living room to the next level. Hollywood Glamour is all about the bling, so don’t hold back! Find fixtures with reflective surfaces that will catch the light. Go big on statement pieces, and show off every inch of your space!

Artistic Flair

You have a creative spirit – why not apply your artistic vision to your home? Style your living room with unique, funky, one-of-a-kind pieces that speak to you – and don’t leave out your lighting! You can find fixtures that have wild, one-of-a-kind shapes to suit any budget. Make a statement with sculpted lamp. Be bold with pops of bright color and fun textures. Your living room is the perfect canvas for you to make your house a home.

The sky’s the limit, so let your inner interior designer run wild and dream of the possibilities! When you’re ready to make your dreams a reality, make sure you use your lighting to take your living room redesign to the next level. Need help finding your perfect match? Visit our website to browse our options or call one of our locations for expert advice.

Are LED Lights Safe?

by admin · May 12, 2023

How LED Lights Might Be Unexpectedly Affecting Your Health

LED light bulbs are touted as the latest and greatest thing in the lighting world, and for good reason! They’re brighter, more efficient, and more colorful than lightbulbs of the past. But are they safe?

LED technology is still relatively new, so scientists and health professionals are still studying the impact LED light has on our health. So far the results are a mixed bag, with some good news and some bad news.

If you’re one of the many homeowners that filled your house with LED bulbs to save on energy bills, you might be wondering who to listen to and how concerned you should be. So, before you go through your house with a ladder and a trash can, stick around and we’ll break down what we know so far.

The Basics

Before we can get into the side effects of LED lights, we need to cover a couple of lighting basics.

Light travels in wavelengths, and the length of the light wave changes its visible color. While infrared and UV light are invisible, the wavelengths in between can be seen by the human eye.

LED lightbulbs come in light colors all along this visible spectrum, and we use Kelvins to measure their “warmth”. Warm lights give off a yellow glow that feels cozy and relaxing. On the other end of the spectrum, cool lights give off a blue light that feels crisp and energizing.

Blue Light Health Risks

You may be asking yourself, what does this have to do with my health? As it turns out, the color of the LED light changes how it affects your body. Red and Near-Infrared (NIR) light is thought to stimulate repair and regeneration in our bodies. Blue light is a little more complicated.

Blue LED light (also called cool white) mimics daylight, which makes it popular in spaces like offices where you need to stay alert, and kitchens where bright lighting is important for safety. But some scientists are raising concerns about the side effects of prolonged or intense exposure to this blue light, and have linked it to sleep disorders, migraines, eye damage, and even breast cancer.

The research is still new and ongoing, so it can be hard to find answers. We’ve put together an overview of the current health risks associated with LED light so that you can see it all in one place and decide for yourself what you want to do.

LED Lights and Sleep

If you find yourself getting tired around the same time every day, it’s by design. When it gets dark outside, our bodies start to produce melatonin, which helps us to relax and drift off to sleep. This process is part of a cycle called the “circadian rhythm”.

When our circadian rhythm gets thrown off, it can cause all sorts of health issues including diabetes and heart disease. The WHO even classified night shift work as a probable carcinogen in 2007 due to the disruption of shift workers’ circadian rhythms.

Blue LED light can have a devastating effect on our circadian rhythms too. A Harvard study found that exposure to blue light reduces melatonin production for as long as 3 hours. Without the melatonin to trigger sleep, people exposed to blue light have a harder time getting to sleep at night.

This blue light can come from any blue LED light, including your interior lights, your TV, and your cell phone or computer screen. So if you’re having a hard time getting to sleep at night, try unplugging a couple of hours before bed. Turn off your devices, and only use warm interior lights when possible.

LED Lights and Eye Damage

LED computer monitors emit blue light that can strain your eyes with extended use. (This happens with LCD monitors as well.) If you find your eyes feeling tired after a day at the office, there’s an easy solution recommended by the AAO that may help: The 20-20-20 Rule. “Every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds” to help prevent eye strain.

It’s also possible that blue LED lights could be causing permanent damage to your eyes. In 2019, a French study showed “show short-term phototoxic effects” in the eye with short exposure to blue LED light. Even more concerning was that they discovered long-term damage in eyes that had regular exposure to blue light.

This eye damage can increase the risk of developing macular degeneration, which is a progressive loss of vision over time. If you have a family history of macular degeneration, it might be a good idea for you to ask your doctor about limiting your exposure to blue LED light. In the meantime, you can swap out your cool LEDs for soft white, and look into buying some blue-light-filtering specialty lenses.

There was some good news too- they found that this damage seems to be limited to just blue LED light. Warmer, soft white LED lights appeared to be just as safe as other traditional light bulbs.

LED Lights and Migraines

Exposure to artificial lights is linked to higher rates of headache and migraine symptoms. We still don’t know exactly why, but researchers have a few ideas.

One theory is that flickering is to blame. If you’ve ever worked in an office with fluorescent lights, you’ve probably experienced at least one headache because of the fluctuation in the light they emit.

Scientific American conducted a study where they looked at workers in offices with flickering fluorescent lights and workers in offices with non-flickering lights. They found that office workers working under flickering lights were twice as likely to experience headaches than their counterparts.

We haven’t seen any studies like this done yet for LED lights, but there are some possible repercussions for migraine sufferers. LED lights also flicker, although it’s too fast for us to perceive it. This could mean that they are a better option for migraine sufferers. On the other hand, fluorescent bulbs dim 35% when flickering, and LED lights dim all the way to 100%. It’s possible that the bigger change in light levels when flickering could make LEDs even more likely to cause headaches. It’s important to pay attention to the types of light you’re exposed to before a migraine to find out what your triggers are.

Another theory about light and headaches is that the intensity of LED lights can be a migraine trigger. Dimmable LED lights could be a solution for migraine sufferers who find the lights in their home to be too bright.

Although research linking LED lights to migraines is still pretty hard to come by, you’ll see more information in the near future. One clinical trial is testing green LED light, as it appears to reduce migraine symptoms.

LED Lights and Cancer Research

In 2018, researchers in Spain discovered a link between exposure to outdoor blue light at night and certain types of cancers. They found that participants with a high estimated exposure to blue light outside at night had a 60% higher risk for developing breast or prostate cancer.

It’s important to note that this study only looked at the effects of high levels of exposure to outdoor blue light at night. They did not study the more typical blue light given off by indoor lights or device screens.

While this may sound alarming, it’s still too early to raise red flags just yet. This research is brand new and unproven outside of this single study. If you’re concerned, the best thing to do for now is to limit the time you spend outside under artificial lights, and to close your curtains or blinds at night if you have a blue LED streetlight nearby.

It’s Not All Bad News

LEDs have only been around since the 1960s, and blue LED lights weren’t developed until the 1990s, so there’s still a lot to learn about them! We’re learning that blue LED light may have some unexpected negative side effects, but that doesn’t mean that all LED light is bad.

LED Light Therapy is a new field that uses LED lights to treat conditions and heal wounds. LEDs lights can improve skincare, help with mood disorders, and have the potential to do more!

LED Light Therapy and Seasonal Depression

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder that affects an estimated 10 million Americans. As the days get shorter and sunlight is harder to find, many people find that their mood starts drop and seasonal depression sets in.

One of the ways doctors treat this is with LED light therapy boxes. These super-bright boxes of light have rows of LED lights that researchers believe cause a chemical change in the brain that lifts your mood when you sit in front of them for 20-30 minutes a day. For a light therapy box to be effective, it needs to be rated at 10,000 lux or higher, so be careful to avoid cheap knock-offs when shopping for them online.

If you find yourself struggling in the winter months, make sure you talk to your doctor. Light therapy boxes are only one part of an effective treatment plan for SAD, and they don’t work for everyone. You don’t have to struggle through the winter months.

LED Light Therapy and Skincare

In the 1990s U.S. Navy SEALs started developing LED light therapy technology to help heal wounds more quickly. Once it was proven effective, doctors and aestheticians started using LED lights in skincare.

Red LED lights are used to reduce the appearance of acne, wrinkle and age spots. It’s thought to reduce inflammation and stimulate collagen, which causes skin to appear more smooth.

Blue LED lights are used to treat surface and cystic acne. It’s believed to make oil glands less active, and kill bacteria beneath the skin.

So, are LED lights bad for you?

LED lights as a whole are very safe, but you do need to be careful about how you use them.

Use soft white lights where you can in your home, especially in your bedroom. It’s still okay to use blue LED lights (often called Daylight bulbs) in your home, especially in places where you need to work, like an office or kitchen. Just keep in mind that these blue lights can affect your sleep, so steer clear of them in the late evening hours.

If you’re prone to headaches or migraines, pay attention to the lighting you’ve been exposed to. If you notice a pattern, changing out your lightbulbs could be an easy fix! Consider getting blue-light-filtering glasses to help protect your eyes if you work in front of a computer screen all day. Just like taking a multivitamin every day can help keep us healthy, small precautionary measures against harmful light sources may make a big difference.

TL;DR – LED Lights and Your Health

Risks	Benefits	Mixed Bag
Sleep – Exposure to blue LED light before bed can disrupt your circadian rhythm. You should limit blue light exposure for a few hours before bed. Eyes – Blue LED light can damage your eyes. Blue light filtering glasses are recommended for people that work in front of a computer monitor all day. Cancer – The link between LED light and cancer is still being studied. Some researchers believe it increases the risk of developing certain types of cancer, but more research needs to be done.	Seasonal Depression – LED light therapy boxes can help some people that suffer from seasonal depression, although they are just one part of an effective treatment plan. Please talk with your doctor if you think you may have SAD. Skincare – LED light therapy can help speed up the healing process. Red LED lights help reduce the appearance of acne, wrinkle and age spots. Blue LED lights are used to treat surface and cystic acne.	Migraines – Flickering lights can trigger migraines for some people. LED lights flicker significantly less than fluorescent lights, so some migraine sufferers will benefit from replacing CFL bulbs with LED. LED lights are also very intense, which could also be a migraine trigger. Most LED bulbs are dimmable, so this could help to mitigate the intensity for migraine sufferers. If you suffer from migraines, you should pay attention to your light exposure to look for trigger patterns.

LED bulbs are energy efficient, bright, and widely available, but they’re still considered “new” in the lighting industry. It’s always a good idea to keep an ear to the ground for future breakthroughs and discoveries.

If you have any questions about how to use LED bulbs in your home, or how to choose the right light bulb for your space, our lighting experts are ready to answer your questions. Give us a call or drop in and see us at our showroom!

The information in this article is compiled from several sources and studies. Research into the effects of LED lights on your health is ongoing and subject to change as new information is found. If you have any concerns about your health and its relation to LED lighting, please consult a licensed medical expert.

5 Reasons Why Your Next Lighting Purchase Should Be from a Lighting Showroom

by admin · May 5, 2023

Have you ever bought something online or from a big box store that ended up being a dud? It happens to the best of us! When you’re buying socks, it’s not a huge deal. But if you’re shopping for a light fixture to be the focal point of your living room, you shouldn’t leave it up to chance.

The lighting in your home shouldn’t be an afterthought. When you’re looking to update your home’s lighting, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by meeting with a lighting expert.

Big box stores with aisles of cookie-cutter option are convenient when you need to buy a hammer and a doorknob, but they’re not going to offer you the same level of service that you’d get in a lighting showroom. The next time you’re looking to buy lighting for your home, here’s 5 reasons why you should skip the questionable online shopping experience, and drive right past the big box stores to a lighting showroom.

1. Expert Advice

Lighting showroom employees eat, sleep, and breathe lighting. They have a wealth of technical know-how, and they’re eager to share it with you. They know everything about lighting design, and they’ll use this knowledge to give you personalized advice for your own home. Showroom experts care more about finding what’s right for you than on making a quick sale – they’ll help you consider all of the aspects of your lighting design, and can help you find options you may not have considered to get just the right fit for your space.

2. Selection

Online retailers have a massive variety of lights to choose from, but you have no way to know what it will look like in person until it shows up at your door. Big box stores have a small selection that you can see in person, but they’re limited to a few brands. Lighting showrooms have the best of both worlds. They have a wide variety of fixtures that you can see in person and access to extensive manufacturer catalogs with variations of just about any light you’ll see anywhere.

3. No Buyers Remorse

Get it right the first time. When you can see your light in person and discuss all of your lighting needs with an expert, you’re way more likely to find exactly what you need the first time around. You’ll be able to see how a fixture is transformed when it lights up, notice details you’d miss in a photo, and get the technical kinks worked out ahead of time. This kind of immersive experience takes the guesswork and stress out of buying your next light fixture, leaving you confident that you made a good purchase.

4. Value

It’s a common misconception that lighting showrooms are more expensive – but it’s just not true. Lighting showrooms care about providing value, so they carry higher-quality lighting, often for the same prices as the cheaper lights that you can find online. Showroom owners are very particular about their products. If they don’t trust in the craftsmanship of a light fixture, it won’t be in their lineup. You won’t get that same kind quality assurance anywhere else. High quality fixtures last longer, so you won’t have to worry about replacing a broken light again in a year.

5. Service

Showroom owners are pickier about their vendors than online and big box suppliers, and they choose companies that support their products. At a lighting showroom you’ll get better warranties and more help finding replacement parts. And, if you run across a problem with your fixture, lighting showrooms offer a return service that isn’t a headache in shipping labels and pick up office hours.

Bonus: Support Local Businesses

Lighting showrooms are independently owned by local families who actually care about you as a person. Buying from a lighting showroom supports a local business, which helps your local economy, creates jobs, and helps build a community. At your local showroom, you’re not just a number in a national sales quota report, you’re a neighbor.

The next time you’re looking for lighting, go ahead and look online. Gather ideas and find things you love, then turn off that computer and head over to Watts Current for unmatched expertise, guaranteed value, and honest service. We’ll help you find exactly what you’re looking for!

A Beginner’s Guide to Light Bulbs

by admin · Apr 28, 2023

Everything You Need to Know to Choose the Right Light Bulb for Your Home

Imagine this: you look up, and notice that your ceiling light has a burnt-out bulb. You check the closet and realize you’re out of replacements. So you go to the store and realize there’s an entire aisle full of light bulbs in different boxes with different names and shapes and ratings. This was supposed to be a simple trip, but now you have to start googling. Sound familiar?

It looks like a lot of technical jargon, and it kind of is, but don’t worry. We’ve put together the things you actually need to know, so that you can skip past the shopping nightmare and get right to the bulb you need.

Light Bulb Types

Incandescent

Incandescent bulbs are the original light bulb. They give off light by sending electricity through a thin filament, which glows when it heats up. They emit a warm yellow light and are dimmable. These bulbs are easy to find and are typically the least expensive option. Incandescent bulbs last for around a year, which is longer than halogen bulbs, but shorter than CFL and LED bulbs.

Incandescent bulbs are the least energy-efficient bulb on our list, which has landed them on the blacklist of environmentalist legislation in several countries over the last 15 years, including China and the United States.

Halogen

This bulb has the shortest lifespan of the four. They emit a light very similar to incandescent bulbs, and they cost a little bit more because they are much more efficient. They do have a drawback- they heat up very quickly, so they need to be kept away from combustible materials. Use gloves when you handle these bulbs, as the oil from your hands can make them explode when they get hot.

CFL

Short for Compact Fluorescent Lamp, CFLs are energy-saving bulbs that come in a wide range of colors. They last longer than incandescent bulbs and are less expensive than LED lights, so they can be a good choice for large rooms. It’s important to note that they usually take time to warm up and get to full brightness, and they produce a lot of heat. They contain mercury, so handle and dispose of them with care.

LED

LED bulbs are the latest technology in the light bulb industry. Despite being the most expensive option of the four, they’re wildly popular for a number of reasons. They can last up to 50,000 hours, which means they hardly ever need to be replaced. To put that in perspective, if you left an LED bulb on for 12 hours a day, every day of the week, it would last for 11 years! They also produce so little heat they are cool to the touch even after hours of running. This makes them a very safe option when it comes to lighting your home.

LED bulbs are the holy grail of customizable lighting. They are dimmable, come in a wide variety of colors (some can even change hues), and come in outdoor-rated varieties. Many use smart technology, so they can be linked to your Google Home or Alexa. LED bulbs are a great option anywhere in your home, but we especially recommend them for hard-to-reach fixtures that you don’t want to change very often.

Light Bulb Glossary Terms

Base: The portion of the light bulb that connects the bulb itself to the light fixture is called the base. Light bulb bases come in several sizes, so be sure to check your old bulb. Most household light bulbs have a base with a letter-number combination such as E12. The letter represents the base shape (in this case, Edison), and the number represents the width of the base, usually in millimeters.

Watts: This is a measurement of power, representing the energy transfer of the bulb. A 60 watt lightbulb “consumes” 60 joules of energy per second. Energy efficient light bulbs can produce the same amount of light using fewer watts, so they cost less money to run.

Lumens: This is a measurement of light, representing how much light is being emitted per second. Light bulbs with high lumen ratings give off more light.

CRI: This acronym stands for “Color Rendering Index.” Colors appear differently under different lighting conditions, so the CRI score tells you how well a light bulb will show you the true colors of objects. Bulbs are rated from 0-100, with 0 meaning all colors will appear the same and 100 meaning that all colors will be true. A bulb with a CRI above 80 is good, and 90 is great. Incandescent and halogen bulbs have a CRI of 100. This rating has nothing to do with light temperature.

Color Temperature: This is a measurement of light color from cool to warm, measured in Kelvin (K). Bulbs around 2000 K will give off a warm red light. Around 5000 K, bulbs give off light that mimics mid-day sunlight. Over 6000 K bulbs give off a cool blue light. Warm light is relaxing, so it’s great in bedrooms and living rooms. Cool light is energizing, so it’s perfect for kitchens and offices.

Energy Star Rating: This rating label was developed by the EPA, and is given to bulbs that “contribute significant energy savings.” If your bulb has the Energy Star logo on its packaging, it means that it will be more efficient in its energy consumption, which saves you money in the long run.

If you’re stuck in the store unsure what to buy, or if you’ve lost track of your browser tabs and you still don’t know if the bulb in your cart is right, we’ve got you covered. Give our experts a call or stop by our showroom and we’ll be happy to walk you through getting the perfect bulb.

6 Simple Ways to Turn Your Backyard into an Inspiring Oasis

by admin · Apr 21, 2023

Whether your backyard is large or small, verdant or concrete, you want to make the most of your outdoor space by making it a beautiful and comfortable place where you want to spend your time. No matter what you have to work with, we’ve put together 6 suggestions that will help you make your backyard feel like a true oasis from the world.

1. Create cozy spaces

Make your outdoor space feel comfortable and inviting by adding soft elements to your space. Cushions and pillows made with durable outdoor fabric will add a pop of your favorite color to your space while also making it feel more relaxed and cozy. Boost the coziness factor even further with some candles or install some dimmable bulbs on your home so you can adjust the light level to get the perfect ambiance every time.

2. Protect your seating

Keep your outdoor space comfortable no matter the time of day or season by adding flexible shade and shelter. Look for a roller shade in a color you love, hang some outdoor curtains, or go for something like these umbrellas that can be raised or lowered and will keep you safe from the sun or rain. If you live somewhere where the winters get chilly, look for shade options that can also act as wind protection, like a trellis, awning, or an evergreen tree or shrub.

3. Hang some string lights

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There’s a reason this inexpensive upgrade never goes out of style. A few well-placed strands of string lights will add a soft, dreamy light to your outdoor space and create the perfect ambiance for your late night summer BBQs.

This can be done by DIYers of any level! To get started, draw out your space and where you want your lights to be. If you want, you can add poles in the ground or attach them to your deck or fence to make extra places to hang lights, but this isn’t necessary! Measure how many feet you’ll need (add extra length if you want them to drape), and find a style you like. Don’t forget to buy zip ties or exterior hooks to hang them on! When you’re ready to hang them up, make sure you start on the end with the plug so that you get the right distance to your power source. This project is so simple that it’ll only take an afternoon to install them start to finish, then you can enjoy them all year!

4. Add a living feature wall

Create a visually stunning backyard space by planting a vertical garden feature wall! Look for hanging planters that attach to your fence, or secure small flower pots to a trellis. If you have a blank wall on your house that you want to transform, look for planters that can be installed safely right onto the exterior of your home! Plant some pretty annuals to get a pop of your favorite color, or stick to all green to make a statement. You could even mix in some container-friendly garden plants like strawberries or peas!

5. Upgrade your covered patio

This backyard glow up idea might require you to swap out your shovel for a screwdriver, but there’s no denying the way it transforms your space! Is that tiny little sconce by your front door leaving you in the shadows once the sun goes down? Are you constantly swatting at mosquitoes and gnats? Talk to an outdoor lighting specialist and ask them how to add an outdoor ceiling fan to your covered patio. You’ll be amazed at the way better lighting and airflow can transform your patio into a whole new living space! Outdoor ceiling fans are surprisingly affordable, and they’ll light your space while keeping the bugs and the heat away!

6. Simplify

If gardening isn’t really your thing, making your yard low maintenance is the key to being able to spend more time enjoying your space. Large open flower beds look beautiful, but they need hours of weeding each week to keep them looking pristine. Try filling in the gaps with gravel or pavers. If you still want more greenery, add potted plants. They’ll add life to your yard without all the extra weeding! When you’re finished, sit back and enjoy the cozy and beautiful oasis you’ve created in your own back yard.

In an age when so much of our world is online, it’s more important than ever to get outside and disconnect as often as you can! Bookmark this list of ideas, then turn your computer off, set your phone down, and go outside! Take a look at your outdoor space and see what you can do to make it a true oasis. Go ahead, get started! You’re gonna love how it turns out.

Let the experts at Watts Current help get you going! If you have any questions about how to get the light just right in your outdoor space, give us a call!