When judging your table lamps lighting effectiveness There are many things one should keep in mind. Of course you likely know about the positioning of your lamps approximately every ten feet. Then walking the area to check for dead spots and shadows. Also you likely know to sit in all of the chairs of the room and loot toward the light to make absolutely sure that it does not throw back any glare into your eyes. Glare like that can simply ruin a good conversation with friends and family.
But are you acquainted with the process of how to choose the best light bulb for the particular lamp and the space in which you are attempting to provide proper lighting? One of the first things you really need to keep under consideration is the Lumens per Watt Ratio output by the bulb your planning on using.
To begin a brief understanding of the terms used to describe these features is necessary. Lumens are the standard measurement of the brightness or light output by the entire bulb including the filament. Wattage is not then (contrary to popular urban legend or belief) the measurement of the output of the bulb but instead the measurement of its electrical usage. It is the disparity between the two that you are after.
Firstly then simply go on line and look up Lumen lighting characteristics for rooms in the home or some such other keyword phrases. You should come up with list that will break it down for you which covers the lumen output needed to cover say 100 square feet and produce your particular lighting effect. Each effect you might be wanting to pull off can usually be accomplished with three factors. 1)The lumens per square feet. 2) The color and opacity of your table lamps lighting shade and 3) The positioning of your lamps throughout the area.
Next find the lowest watt usage bulb in its category that is shown to deliver the desired total lumens output that you have determined is needed to produce the desired effect in the coverage area. Then divide the two figures like this: Divide the total lumens output by that bulb by the total watts consumed I.E. a 60 watt bulb means the stated total is 60 watts used and you arrive at the Lumens Per Watt ratio or the efficiency of the bulb you intend to use.
By comparing your new found Lumens Per Watt ratio on a bulb by bulb basis you now know if you have the most efficient use of total energy and thereby total dollars to create the exact mood and lighting experience that your table lamps lighting pieces can provide in your designated area. Remember once you have everything positioned just the way you think is should be, go around and sit at ach chair, sofa or loveseat ect.. just to be sure you watch for glare and other potential problems before they literally hit your guests right between the eyes.
