How to Choose LED Lighting Bulbs for Your Home (Los Angeles Guide)

Choosing LED bulbs for your home is easier when you focus on a few key specs, not just watts. Start with brightness, measured in lumens. As a quick reference, 800 lm suits many table lamps, 1100–1600 lm works well for kitchens and task areas, and 450–600 lm is often enough for accent lighting. Next, pick a color temperature in Kelvin (K). Warm white (2700–3000K) feels cozy for bedrooms and living rooms, while neutral to cool white (3500–5000K) is popular for kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and home offices where clarity matters. Color quality is also important: look for CRI 80+ for everyday use, and consider CRI 90+ for makeup areas, art, and spaces where accurate skin tones and colors matter. Check the bulb base and shape before buying—many Los Angeles homes use E26 for standard sockets, E12 for chandeliers, and GU10 or MR16 for spot and recessed fixtures. If you use dimmers, confirm the bulb is dimmable and compatible with your dimmer model to avoid flicker, buzzing, or limited dimming range. For recessed cans, choose bulbs rated for enclosed fixtures if airflow is limited. Finally, consider beam angle: wider beams for general lighting, narrower beams for highlighting artwork or countertops. With the right lumens, Kelvin, CRI, and fit, LEDs deliver lower energy bills, long lifespan, and comfortable lighting tailored to every room.