Light does more than just illuminate a room. It creates atmosphere, enhances colours and materials, and influences how we experience our surroundings. That is why the light source is an important part of a lamp’s overall expression and functionality.
The same lamp can create quite different impressions depending on the bulb you choose. A decorative filament bulb can add warmth and character to lamps such as Heat, Unika and Tradition, while an opal white bulb provides a softer, more diffused light. Lamps such as Dahl, Dokka, Acorn and Over Me are designed to provide an even and comfortable light, while the Birdy and Buddy reading lamps work well with a spotlight bulb that provides more direct illumination.
Warm or cool light
The colour temperature of light is measured in Kelvin (K). The lower the number, the warmer and more golden the light appears. 2200–2500 K creates an extra warm and atmospheric light, making it well suited when the primary purpose is to create ambience. 2700 K is a good all-round choice for the home – warm, comfortable
and natural. Higher temperatures, such as 3000 K, produce a whiter and more neutral light, which can be well suited when you need clearer task lighting.
How much light do you need?
Here, lumens (lm) are more important than watts. Lumens indicate how much light a bulb produces, while watts indicate how much energy it consumes. Choose fewer lumens when the light is primarily decorative and atmospheric, and more lumens when you need good illumination for reading, working or other activities.
Explore the Northern lighting collections
Light that changes with the day
A dimmable lamp allows you to adjust the light to suit the situation. With a dimmable LED bulb, you can move from clear task lighting to a softer and more intimate atmosphere as evening sets in. Just remember that the bulb and dimmer need to be compatible.
If you want the warm glow of a traditional incandescent bulb, look for Dim to Warm or WarmGlow. These bulbs become warmer in tone as they are dimmed. Our Oslo Wood floor lamp is a real mood maker with a soft, diffusing textile lamp shade and included smooth foot dimmer.
There is no single light source that is right for every situation. Choose the light according to the space and the atmosphere you want to create.
