home lighting

LED stands for 'light-emitting diodes', and it is a popular light source due to its compact size, low power consumption and long lifetime. For these reasons, people would often opt for LED where possible as it is the energy-efficient lighting option. LED light bulbs consume less power to illuminate and also generate less heat than traditional incandescent/halogen light bulbs making them last longer.

In short, no. To determine whether a light is dimmable actually relies on the light source.

If the fixture is integrated LED, meaning the LEDs are directly incorporated into the luminaire - the fixture must be rated as compatible to be dimmed. This information is listed in the product specifications of the product.

If the fixture requires a globe, it is determined by whether the globe is dimmable as not all are. If the luminaire is determined to be dimmable you must also take into consideration that it must be paired with a dimmer to action this function.

Unfortunately not. To ensure your lights can be operated remotely via smart home automation, you will need to check your lamp and switches and assess whether it's compatible to be made "smart". If you did not purchase your lights with the intention for them to be remotely controlled, chances are they will probably not have the capabilities at this moment.

To upgrade your current fixtures to have smart home automation, here are two options that can seamlessly transform your current set-up.

1. Smart bulbs - Compatible only with fixtures that require bulbs. Replace your light bulbs and globes with smart globes/bulbs so that they can be remote-controlled individually. This option is DIY-friendly as the installation is as simple as screwing in a light bulb and syncing with the smart app. No electrician is required.



2. Smart Switches - Compatible with existing light fixtures that may not accommodate smart bulbs (such as integrated LED fixtures). This option allows you to control the light naturally from the wall switch and also remotely via App. This option requires installation by a licensed electrician.

The ingress protection (IP) rating defines the sealing effectiveness of electrical enclosures against foreign particles like accidental contact, dust, moisture, liquids, etc. The rating is read as IP followed by 2 digits: the first digit, relating to protection against the ingress of solid particles(dust), and the second is the protection against the ingress of water.

Typically fixtures with a rating of IP65, 66 & 67 are considered IP waterproof ratings. For interior applications such as the bathroom, an IP rating of IP44 or IP65 is sufficient subject to the location the lamp is installed.

When purchasing a light bulb for a fixture, it is important to keep a few things in mind.

Lamp base: When purchasing globes, it is important to check the type of lamp base your fitting requires. This information can be found labelled on the lampholder or on the rating label of the product which can be found on the bracket or canopy of the fixture. Common lamp bases are: Edison Screw (ES): E27 or E14, Bayonet: B22 or B15, GU10 or G9 etc...

Wattage: All fixtures with bulbs have a max rated wattage that would be labelled inside or on the lampholder. The max rated wattage refers to the max recommendation that should always be adhered to and not exceeded, to prevent over-heating and damage to the light fixture. E.g if a fixture has a max rating of 60W, there are equivalent wattages that are recommended to safely maintain the same level of light, e.g Incandescent 60W and it's equivalents = Halogen 42W, CFL 14W and LED 9W, can all be safely used as the ratings are all below 60W.

Shape & finish: It is also important to consider the globe shape and finish when selecting a bulb. It is important to consider the finish of the globe, for example if the fixture is transparent and the globe is visible, a decorative vintage look globe may be selected as opposed to a standard LED globe as the transparent fixture will show off the globe. Lastly, it is also important to consider the shape of the globe and whether the shape of that globe would fit into the fitting. For example, for very narrow or small fittings you may want to select a long tubular globe instead or a classic globe that may be too wide for the fitting.

*Important: When replacing a bulb, the fixure should always be switched off before attempting to change the bulb.

It is important to identify the types of light bulbs available, to better understand their suitablility to your needs. In Australia, there are 4 common types of globes available.

Incandescent globes are traditionally the most common type of light bulb - easily identified by the glowing wire filament apperance - which many favour for its vintage look, also available in LED options that imitate this look. Incandescent light bulbs have a poor life-span and are much more costly to run than Halogen, CFL and LED alternatives. Incandescent globes also offer very low level brightness compared to the amount of energy consumed. In Australia, incandescent bulbs have been slowly phased out for greener and more cost effective options, with some particularly inefficient bulbs banned.

Halogen light bulbs are considered an enhanced version of the traditional incandescent light, with the main difference being that they consume approximately 20% less energy than incandescent bulbs. However, halogen lights are not all that environmentally friendly, as they still consume about 4x as much power as LEDs, and can generate high heat when operated (which reduces the lifespan of the bulb, and in some cases can be fire hazards). In Australia, halogen bulbs have been been banned and will be gradually phased out from the market.

Compact Fluroscent Lamps (CFLs) are fluroscent bulbs that have been compressed to standard bulb size. CFLs last between 4-10x as long as incandescent or halogen bulbs. CFLs are cheap to purchase, but some forms may contain mercury which should be handled with care.

LED (light emitting diode) globes are the most energy-efficient choice, providing a bright light with low energy consumption and long lifespan as traditional incandescent light bulbs. Technology has advanced with many forms of LED bulbs now in the market for any need. LED bulbs offer high performance versions for general lighing, LED vintage globes offer decorative options paired with high performance and 'smart' globes give the unprecedented customisation to consumers. It is also important to note that LED globes can be more costly to purchase upfront, however, the long lifespan and low energy consumption will result in savings in the long run.

Colour Temperature indicates a light appearance emitted by a fixture, and is measured in kelvins(K). In general, the higher the number, the whiter/cooler the light appears. When selecting lighting, it is crucial that we select the right colour temperature as it can impact define the mood in your home.

Ranging between 1500K - 6500K, colour temperatures are often referred to as warm white, natural white and day light to describe the temperature of light. Depending on the source, some may label 4000K as natural/neutral white or cool white. Therefore, it is best to refer to the actual kelvins when matching lights in your home. For residential applications, warm white (2000-3000K) and natural white (4000K) are the most popular.

Warm white (3000K) is closest to the colour of a candlelight, giving off a soft warm glow which can create a calming and relaxed atmosphere. It is most suited to bedrooms, living areas and dining rooms.

Natural white (4000K) is a neutral white as it is a balanced mix of both warm and daylight white. Natural white is a versatile colour temperature as it is not too warm and offers sufficient brightness without looking too clinical in the home. Natural white is most suited to kitchens, bathrooms and studies, where clear bright light is required to complete tasks.

Daylight white (5000K+) should be selectively applied in the home, as the blue light can appear clinical and harsh. It is recommended to be used sparingly, such as direct task lighting in offices or garages.

You should always buy from reputable Australian brands for trusted warranty and quality. This also ensures that the fixtures are compliant to Australian standards and safe to use in the home.

When buying lights, you should always consider the space you are lighting. You should firstly consider what existing lighting you have(if any)and also the intended function of the light you are looking to add.

Does it need to be adjustable, a particular brightness, or certain colour temperature?

Refer to our Light Layering Guide and ask yourself if it is for general, accent or task lighting? This will dictate the type of light you are after. Once you have pin-pointed your needs, it is important to measure out the size you require for the fixture. E.g if you are looking for a linear pendant over a table or bench, you would not want there to be any overhang from the pendant. To avoid this, you should measure to know the max size pendant you can shop for. Lastly, you can consider what you would like the light to look like, the shape and finish, e.g is it a statement pendant or a subtle accent striplight.

No, unfortunately we do not. A licensed electrician is recommended for installation of any light fitting that is hardwired (e.g that do not come with plugs). This is because the installation involves the handling of electrical wires, which if not handled correctly can run the risk of electrocution. Therefore it is implemented by law that electrical work should be conducted by a licensed electrician.

No, most lights do not include globes unless it is specified. For fixtures that require globes, they will at times need to be replaced and are often DIY installation. However, ensure you are replacing globes with adequate globe wattage requirements. Some fixtures require specific globes such as Integrated LEDs, which have the light source already inbuilt - these are non-replaceable, so once the LEDs burn out the whole fixture must be replaced.

It is recommended to keep your fixtures clear of dust, wipe them clean with a dry cloth and avoid the use of strong liquid cleaners.