David Boultbee is a Technical Consultant with the LED lighting specialist Ultra LEDs. Here, he shares why more homeowners and interior designers should look at incorporating LEDs into their projects.
Due to rules put in place by the EU, incandescent bulbs were phased out here in the UK by 2011, and halogen bulbs stopped being sold to retailers in 2018. But it is still possible to pick these bulbs up and, as we're set to leave the EU very soon, we could well see these types of bulbs returning to our shelves.
However, LEDs are far superior in a lot of ways, so we would recommend opting for and sticking with these more modern bulbs and lighting solutions. Here, I'll talk you through the main benefits that make LEDs the best option for you.
Top 5 Benefits of Using LED Lighting In Interior Design
1. They're environmentally friendly.
There are a number of ways in which LED bulbs are far more environmentally friendly than their old-fashioned counterparts. Most — if not all — of the electricity they use is converted into light, whereas most of this would be converted into heat by the likes of fluorescent and incandescent bulbs. They generally run on a lower wattage than compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), too, which means they require less energy to light up to their full potential. As a result, you can get the same level of light, just with less electricity.
LED lights also last much longer — in fact, they'll typically work for approximately 50,000 hours, which is 50 times longer than an incandescent bulb, 20 times longer than a halogen lamp, and 10 times longer than a CFLs. This means it should be years before any LED lighting you install needs to be replaced, so your projects will send far less waste to landfill. Another little-known benefit of LEDs is that they can be recycled, too. So, once they do stop working, they can be disposed of responsibly.
2. They're far more affordable to run.
Because LEDs use far less energy than the likes of halogen and incandescent bulbs, they cost a lot less to run, which will be music to your ears. Lighting your home accounts for around 15% of your energy bills according to the Energy Saving Trust, so making the switch to more cost-effective bulbs can make a world of difference.
By replacing all of your old-fashioned bulbs with LED alternatives, you could save around £40 on your bills each year, which will certainly add up when you consider how long these bulbs can last. While they can sometimes be more expensive to buy, they typically pay for themselves several times over.
3. There are so many different styles for you to choose from.
Another huge benefit of opting for LED lighting is that there are so many different styles to choose from. You can pick up everything from standard LED bulbs to strip lights and even LED neon.LED bulbs, strip lights, and neon come in a vast array of different colours, so you can truly bring any interior design vision that you have to life.
If you're working on an outdoor project, you'll be able to find water-resistant styles, from fairy lights to festoon bulbs, that have been designed with garden parties in mind. There are even LED bulbs that have been made to look like halogen bulbs, with pronounced filaments that give an industrial and on-trend look without any of the downsides. You really can create any look you're going for with LED lighting.
4. They're easy to install.
A lot of LED lighting is incredibly easy to install, too, so you can achieve your goal quickly and with minimal fuss. If you're simply switching your existing bulbs for LED alternatives, it'll just be a case of replacing them like you usually would. With strip lights, you can usually use self-adhesive backing to attach your tapes to your chosen wall or the underside of a cabinet.
Many styles can then just be plugged in and will be ready to go. Of course, if you're ever unsure about anything, we would always recommend contacting a professional who will be able to install everything for you. But many LED lighting solutions are also designed to be simple enough to install, even if you have no prior training.
5. There are completely customisable options.
As well as there being a lot of designs of LED lighting that you can choose from, there are also customisable options that allow you to set the mood of a room according to how you feel. Depending on which fixtures you choose, you can change the colour, brightness, and temperature of LED lighting. Some options can also be set up with smart home technology so you're able to control everything from an app on your phone. With LED lighting, the possibilities really are endless.
Examples on How to Use LED Lighting in Interior Design:
In Conclusion:
Thanks to the many benefits that it offers, we expect that LED lighting will eventually be used in all domestic and commercial settings. But we would recommend getting ahead of the curve by incorporating these bulbs and light fittings into your interior design projects now.
If you want to do your bit for the environment, save on your energy bills, and have full control over the look of your home, LED lighting is the perfect solution for you. More and more people are using LED bulbs and lighting in their homes and commercial spaces, and I would highly recommend following their lead.
Let me know in the comments below what type lightening are you going for in your project? Thanks for reading! x
CONTRIBUTOR:
David Boultbee, Technical Consultant with the LED lighting specialist Ultra LEDs.
IMAGES:
Provided by Ultra LEDs.
P.S. If you're taking on an interior design project, or perhaps refurbishing your home all by yourself, take a look at the lighting options on Ultra LEDs.
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