6 Types of Light Bulbs and Where to Use Them Around Your Home

While the crux of those old "changing a lightbulb" jokes is based on the simplicity of the task, shopping for light bulbs can be anything but simple. With such a surprising range of options, there are a number of considerations to keep in mind when choosing the correct bulb for your home. For starters, you will want to achieve the right level of brightness, tone, and warmth for the specific room or area you're lighting. After all, light has tremendous power when it comes to establishing a defining mood for any room.

To approach your lighting with the utmost care, it's best to acquaint yourself with the different types of light bulbs before heading down that hardware store aisle. We consulted lighting experts and electricians to help break down their assorted functions, attributes, and ideal placements.

Read on to find out which light bulb is best suited for your particular space or light fixture.

Why There Are Different Types of Lightbulbs

Lightbulbs come in all shapes, sizes, and tints. Emitting varying degrees and types of light, they can help set the tone for any space or gathering. “The type, shape, and tint of your light bulb plays just as much of a role in your space’s design as the light fixture itself,” explains lighting design expert Meggan Fadden Wynja. “Different color temperatures and brightness can create more warmth in your room, diffuse bright light to a softer hue, or even reflect light in a certain direction.” 

Ambient lighting can be welcoming or invigorating, soothing or uplifting. The following are a list of the most commonly sought after light bulbs for house and home.

Incandescent Light Bulbs

"Incandescent lights are classic," asserts says Justin Cornforth, owner and CEO of Ace Home Co. Incandescent bulbs give off a warm, golden light, often associated with comforting and welcoming rooms. "But don’t overuse them," warns Cornforth, "as it will quickly raise your energy bill." 

While incandescent bulbs are being phased out for their more energy-efficient successors, they still remain a favorite among those who love their cozy glow.

Where to Use:

Incandescent lights are best used for lighting in living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms, where soft, ambient light is most desired. They are also recommended for appliances and heat lamps, due to their ability to generate heat along with light and their high temperature threshold.

LED Light Bulbs

In recent years, LED bulbs have made their way to the top of the lighting chain for a number of reasons. “LEDs are the golden standard,” says Cornforth. “They are long-lasting, energy-efficient, and can have different brightness and color temperatures.”

Not only are they the cheaper option, they will last up to 20 times longer than incandescents while using up to 80 percent less electricity, notes Daniel Mock, vice president of operations at Mister Sparky Electricians.

Where to Use:

While LEDs started as power lights on appliances and in other limited capacities, there are now numerous LED light bulb options on the market. LED floodlights and outdoor bulbs can be used for security and lighting pathways around patios and gardens, according to Mock. They can also work in a variety of indoor fixtures, from table lamps to ceiling fans, and are often used in workspaces and kitchens as both task and accent lighting.

Halogen Light Bulbs 

Halogen bulbs are a twist on the old-fashioned incandescent bulbs. “They function in essentially the same manner,” Mock explains, “except the glass globe is filled with halogen glass, which amplifies the light and therefore decreases the amount of electricity needed, hiking its efficiency rating.” However, halogen lights still remain less energy-efficient than LEDs. 

Where to Use:

Because they are bright and natural-looking, halogen lights are best used in table lamps, desk lamps, floor lamps, accent lights, and ceiling fixtures. They are also ideal for artists, makeup lighting or anyone who needs crisp color accuracy, notes Cornforth. 

Compact Fluorescent (CFL) Light Bulbs

Often toting a spiral shape, compact fluorescent bulbs are known to emit a cooler light than that of the traditional incandescent bulb and have excellent energy efficiency. "The best CFLs last 10 times as long and use a quarter of the energy of incandescent bulbs," says Mock, making them a good choice for energy-conscious consumers.

"The drawbacks of the CFLs are that they can be damaged if they are turned on and off too frequently," he adds. Additionally, they don’t work well in the cold—so their outdoor utility is limited. 

Where to Use:

Compact fluorescent bulbs are suitable for general interior lighting in spaces like hallways, kitchens, and bathrooms. Additionally, they're ideal for makeup stations (where lighting is key), and can also be used for table lamps and non-dimmable fixtures (where budget is a priority), offers Cornforth.

Solar-Powered Light Bulbs

As people have become more environmentally conscious, solar-powered lighting has risen in popularity. "As the name implies, solar harnesses sunlight," says Cornforth, "making solar-powered light bulbs an ideal option for lighting your yard and outdoor spaces.

Where to Use:

Outdoor solar flood lights are becoming popular, as are solar-powered lanterns lining front yard pathways. It is also becoming more common to see solar spotlights illuminating hedges, fences, and flagpoles.

Smart Bulbs

Just like those home security systems and voice-activated digital assistants, smart bulbs can be controlled remotely via smartphone apps. “Smart bulbs have different automation features and often can light with different colors,” says Cornforth.

The brightness and color of these LED bulbs can be customized through their accompanying app, and they can be switched on and off wirelessly or timed to a set schedule.

Where to Use:

Smart bulbs are useful in mood lighting, as the brightness, color temperature, and even the color itself can often be adjusted and customized. They are commonly placed in bedrooms, walk-in closets, patios and porches, and other intimate spaces.