Has your old light fixture reached the end of its life, or are you furnishing a new home or office?
If you're currently choosing lighting, you're in the right place. A popular option that most professional sellers are likely to recommend is LED lighting. That's because it comes with a number of advantages, such as energy efficiency and longer lifespan. The only minor downside is the higher initial investment required to purchase them. That's why many people take advantage of retailers’ special offers on affordable LED lights.

Need help navigating the options?
We've prepared a comprehensive comparison article where you'll learn:

• What to consider when choosing a light fixture
• What types of lighting fixtures are available
• What are the pros and cons of LED lighting compared to other types

How to choose the right lighting?

If you’re unfamiliar with lighting or want to avoid a trial-and-error purchase, it's important to think about a few key factors before buying. Choosing the right lighting fixture affects room design, lighting functionality, atmosphere, and light comfort in the space (or outdoors). So what should you consider?

Lighting Placement

The room where the new fixture will provide illumination is crucial from the beginning. You’ll need different light intensity in the bedroom than in living areas such as a child’s room, office, or kitchen. While in some cases adequate lighting is the priority, in others it might be design and the type of fixture (e.g., recessed lights, under-cabinet lights) that suit the specific room.

Type of Light Source

There are various types of fixtures that differ in design and technology. These include popular LED fixtures, halogen lights, or traditional incandescent lights. More about which type suits which space is discussed below.

Lighting Level

Each space has different lighting needs. This determines what kind of fixture you choose — possibly the number of fixtures or a combination of several that will meet your expectations. For example, offices require intense lighting that can effectively substitute natural daylight.

Energy Requirements

More than ever, it’s essential to choose sustainable solutions when it comes to energy consumption. In addition to environmental impact, cost savings on electricity also matter.

Design

The visual aspect of a light fixture also plays a role. Besides the material it’s made from, design includes the color, style, and various details. Often, the fixture becomes part of the interior and serves as a design accessory.

Types of Light Fixtures – What Are Your Options?

LED Lighting

What are LED lights?
You’ve probably heard the term LED lights, but don’t quite know what it means. LED stands for Light Emitting Diode, a semiconductor that emits light when an electric current passes through it. As mentioned earlier, LED lights and bulbs are currently the most popular choice in homes, offices, and even large commercial or industrial buildings. The reason is simple — they are highly energy-efficient, have a long lifespan, and offer versatile use.

Advantages of LED lighting:

• Up to 80% lower energy consumption compared to traditional bulbs
• Longer lifespan
• Emit less heat, even when close to the fixture
• Available in various light colors
• Advanced options like smart lighting, which can automatically adjust to room conditions or create unique atmospheres

Disadvantages of LED lighting:

• Higher initial cost
• More demanding installation in certain cases
• Cheap products may flicker or have reduced lifespan — choose a reputable seller

Where are LED lights used?
LEDs are now used in nearly every type of indoor and outdoor space:

• Homes
• Offices
• Parking areas
• Shopping malls and stores
• Public buildings

One big bonus: They’re eco-friendly.

Incandescent Light Bulbs

They work by running electricity through a metal filament inside the bulb, which heats up and emits light. Compared to LED technology, however, they are less energy-efficient — a large portion of electricity is turned into unwanted heat.

Advantages:

• Low upfront cost
• Ease of installation
• Wide light dispersion

Disadvantages:

• High electricity consumption
• Short lifespan
• Limited adjustability (dimming, color temperature, etc.)
• Contain mercury — require special disposal

Energy-saving variants are also available that use less power than standard incandescent bulbs.

Discharge Lamps (Gas Discharge Lamps)

You may know them as arc lamps, which use gas discharge to produce light. They contain gas and electrodes, and once the gas is ionized by electricity, an arc is created which emits light.

Advantages:

• High light output
• Relatively long life
• Ideal for industrial use

Disadvantages:

• High power usage
• Demanding installation and current requirements
• Long warm-up time

Fluorescent Tubes (Fluorescent Lamps)

These operate on the principle of fluorescence. They're vacuum-sealed glass tubes containing a fluorescent coating and gas. When electricity passes through the tube, the gas becomes ionized, producing ultraviolet radiation. This radiation excites the fluorescent coating inside the tube, which then emits visible light.

Advantages:

• Low operating temperature
• Good color rendering
• Longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs
• Suitable for lighting larger spaces

Disadvantages:

• Contain mercury — require proper disposal
• Often need a starter or ballast
• Not all are dimmable
• May flicker or degrade over time