The Edison lamp is one of the most impressive trends in the lighting world. These retro bulbs attract with their interesting vintage look and pleasant dim radiation. In addition, today there are special Edison lamps that combine vintage charm and modern LED technology. Instead of a filament, these light bulbs use a thin LED, resulting in them using 10 times less electricity than conventional incandescent bulbs, and look as chic as the original models.
In this article, you will get acquainted with the key features of interior lighting with retro Edison lamps and will be able to evaluate them in the design of different rooms.
How is an Edison light bulb different? Features and Specifications
Retro Edison lamps are made for a standard power supply and can be easily used in any apartment. As a rule, they have a very warm color temperature of 2,200 Kelvin (for conventional incandescent lamps, this value is 2,700–2,850 K). This warm amber color creates a unique atmosphere of romance and antiquity in the interior. However, while not too bright, Edison bulbs are more often used as a decorative element.
If you want to use them for general lighting, you can hang several of these lamps together so that they provide enough light. This design solution looks simply amazing and is often used both in ordinary homes and in bars, restaurants, shops and hotels. You can see an example of this in the photo below.
Another interesting feature of Edison bulbs is that they have a higher color rendering index (CRI) than conventional LED bulbs. So, the CRI of Edison LED lamps is 95 (out of 100 maximum), while conventional LED lamps have no more than 80. This means that the glow of these lamps practically does not distort the colors of the objects around you.
Please note that genuine vintage Edison bulbs (with filament, not LED) use a lot of energy and have a very short lifespan. The maximum is 2,500 hours or about a year for normal home use. At the same time, Edison's LED light bulbs last about 15,000 hours on average. Along with their ability to save energy, this makes Edison LED bulbs a much more cost-effective option. However, their lifespan is still shorter than conventional LED bulbs, which can last up to 50,000 hours. The reason for this is the filament shape of the LED, which makes it brittle and poses a risk of overheating.
Choosing a stylish lamp with an Edison lamp
One of the most amazing and useful features of Edison LED bulbs is that they can be made in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. They can be installed in any fixtures instead of conventional lamps or hung on a cord without any cover or lampshade at all.
"Naked" Edison bulbs will be an interesting detail of the interior in the loft style. If you are a fan of bold modern, retro or industrial style, then you will definitely prefer not to cover them with a ceiling or lampshade, but use them as in the following photos:
Combining several Edison lamps into one lamp will emphasize the warmth of the glow and with the help of long cords will become the centerpiece of any interior. Very fashionable solution for 2017!
The vintage style of Edison light bulbs is constantly inspiring craftsmen to create creative DIY lamps and chandeliers. Models made using rough wood, forged metal fittings and industrial-style details have a special charm. They create an incredible atmosphere of warmth and comfort, and also bring uniqueness to any room design.
Retro Edison lamps in the interior - 10 more photos
At the end of this article, we suggest you look at a few more photos of Thomas Edison lamps in interior design. Notice how original they look in classic and modern rooms, bringing not only light but also an element of nostalgia everywhere.
Stylish lighting in a modern interior
Just a few years ago, light bulbs hanging from the ceiling were considered a sign of poverty or renovation in the apartment. Today it is a sought-after element of the interior, gaining more and more admirers. Edison's lamp is far from the only example where the denied suddenly becomes incredibly popular.
- Characteristics and features
- Variety of forms
- Operating options
- Choosing lamps for design
- they are environmentally friendly as they do not contain mercury;
- easy to operate, they can be connected to a standard cartridge;
- have a natural color rendition;
- stand out with a variety of shapes and sizes, opening up horizons for creative individuals.
- The use of incandescent lamps is widely used in Scandinavian countries. In the cold northern climate, it is especially pleasant to feel the warm glow. According to residents, such lighting resembles a sunset or a flame of fire. Thanks to thin, figuratively arranged threads, the light is very soft and romantic.
- In home interiors, unusual lighting sources are most often used in the bedroom, kitchen or dining room. Special gold-coloured flasks add warmth, making the seating area more inviting. Such lamps are more common in the design of a classic style in the interior.
- During operation, it is desirable to use cartridges that meet the requirements of GOST.
- Do not unscrew the lamp in a heated state, you must wait a while until it has completely cooled down.
- Retro lamps are sensitive to any movement, so it is better to move the lamps in the off state.
Black and brown color combination in the interior of the studio
Characteristics and features
More and more advanced designers are moving away from the habit of hiding a light bulb in a chandelier or sconce. The creation of lighting in the house today is given much more attention than before. This is because light plays a huge role in the interior. A striking example is the Edison light bulb, which differs in some features.
In addition to a unique design solution that can realize interesting ideas with this element, the lamps have many other advantages:
Bathroom in modern style with a huge mirror
Beautiful dark kitchen in loft style
The disadvantages include a rather high cost and a short service life. Prices vary between 300-1700 rubles per 1 unit. Compared to conventional light bulbs, the difference is enormous.
On the other hand, Edison lamps do not need an additional lampshade. But due to the lack of an additional surface, as happens when using a chandelier, the heated bulb is not protected by anything.
Important! If the light bulb is located too close to the aisle or low overhead, care must be taken not to burn yourself on hot glass.
Contrasting black and white interior
Cozy seating area on the balcony
Advice! LED counterparts are identical to retro lamps, but more economical to operate. Instead of a thread, crystals are used, which are more durable.
The characteristics of retro lamps are quite simple: standard voltage of 220 volts, E27 and E14 sockets. The service life is not durable and is about 3500 hours. The leaders in production are China, Holland and Switzerland. Those who want to get more impressive performance can use LED bulbs, which consume less energy, and their service life reaches 30,000 hours.
Variety of forms
Despite their conciseness and obvious minimalism, the manufacturers did a good job on the appearance of the lamps, creating a variety of colors and shapes. Separate words deserve a tungsten filament, which is located inside the flask.
Important! The number of threads reaches 20 pieces, which affects not only the appearance, but also the price. The more there are, the higher the cost.
Also, the lamps differ in the shape of the threads - they can be made in the form of a sheet, a spiral, a Christmas tree, a squirrel cage and a hairpin.
If desired, you can choose light bulbs for every taste and for any interior.
A variety of shapes of light bulbs in the design of overhead lighting above the dining table
Advice! It is worth paying special attention to the cords for light bulbs, using various ideas to create a stylish design. In addition to the standard straight cord, you can make a loop or twist the garland to make a bunch.
No less interesting for the design of the room are the shapes of the flasks. They can be square, round, trapezoidal, rectangular. Often, a decorative cord is added to create a certain style. The presence of artistic taste makes it possible to show creativity and create a truly unique interior.
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Operating options
The modern version perfectly reproduces the original invention of the genius Thomas Edison, bringing a touch of trendy direction. The use of retro lamps as interior design for cafes, bars and restaurants has long established itself and does not lose its relevance. Applying Edison's discovery to the home is a new trend that is gaining popularity. Today it is a common design element in vintage and loft style.
Advice! For use as the main lighting, you need to combine several bulbs in a bundle to create enough light. A bunch of 5-10 units looks no less interesting than an ordinary chandelier.
Minimalistic white kitchen with breakfast bar
Country style interior with wall sconces
Small bathroom in light colors
Industrial style in the design of the living room
Idea! Styling under antique candles is great for a sconce, thus adding warmth and comfort to the bedroom. You can decorate a place to read a book with a retro lamp hanging from the ceiling.
Edison bulbs look great in the dining room or in the kitchen, while creating an atmosphere of a hospitable bar or strict minimalism. In this case, the appearance of the bulbs is of great importance.
You can also make a garland as a decoration for any celebration. On New Year's Eve, both adults and children will appreciate this decision. In the summer, you can decorate the gazebo in the yard with a garland, chic lighting will add new colors to the twilight.
Choosing lamps for design
The choice of light bulbs depends primarily on the design of the room. Such details complement the general idea, while simultaneously performing their main functions. It is necessary to take into account the type of lighting, depending on whether it is side, top or central. The right choice will help eliminate imperfections, visually expand the space and create accents.
The original appearance creates a special atmosphere, so Edison lamps should be used in the interior with caution, because they are not appropriate everywhere.
Advice! Curly tungsten filaments, thanks to their expressive pattern, instantly attract attention and have the ability to control visual perception. If you carefully work out the location, then such light sources will give you a great result!
Spacious and bright living room of a private house
Modern bedroom interior with bedside lamps fixed on the ceiling
Advice! When choosing light bulbs, you should pay attention to the markings. With its help, the voltage during use is determined. If even slightly exceed this figure, the service life can be reduced by a third or more.
In addition to appearance, you should pay attention to the power and type of base. If the power of the Edison lamp matches the usual brightness of the first one, it will be noticeably less. This is due to the fact that the vintage thread is less noticeable in bright light, which means that its extraordinary appearance is lost. With a 100W Edison bulb, the equivalent of a standard bulb is about 50W.
The use of any lighting fixtures requires compliance with the basic rules:
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In one of our articles, we talked about where photos of the idea of using twisted wire, as well as antique-style decorative sockets and switches, were provided. Vintage incandescent bulbs, which have recently become a newfangled solution in the organization of indoor and outdoor lighting, will perfectly complement the retro style. In this article, we will look at the main characteristics, as well as photo examples showing how Edison lamps look in the interior of houses and apartments.
Should I use retro light bulbs?
If you are not in doubt whether to buy decorative light bulbs or whether it is better to opt for LEDs, then we recommend that you first study the pros and cons of using Edison lamps. So, the advantages of the products are as follows:
- They allow you to deviate from existing stereotypes in the organization of lighting, making the interior exclusive.
- They create a cozy atmosphere.
- They work with a dimmer, thanks to which you can make romantic lighting in the room.
Among the shortcomings, I would like to note the higher cost of vintage Edison lamps, as well as the characteristics inferior to LEDs: shorter service life, higher power consumption and fragility of the glass bulb. We will talk more about this now.
Main characteristics
So, the most important technical characteristics of Edison lamps are as follows:
- socket type for connection to the network: E27, E14;
- rated voltage 220 Volts;
- service life from 2000 to 3500 hours;
- color temperature from 2100 to 2700K;
- power from 20 to 100 W;
Dimensions (length and diameter) may vary depending on the shape of the flask.
Separately, I would like to talk about the tungsten filament, which is located inside the flask. The number of threads can be different, up to 20. Accordingly, the more of them, the higher the cost of vintage incandescent bulbs. The shape of the tungsten filament can also be different, namely:
- Spiral
- Hairpin
- herringbone
- squirrel cage
- A loop
- Spiral
In the interior, each option looks quite original, so you can choose the appropriate retro lamp design for your own conditions.
It should also be noted that there are Edison LED bulbs, the characteristics of which differ. Firstly, the service life of LEDs is from 20 to 30 thousand hours. Secondly, LED retro lamps consume less electricity, because at low power they shine much better.
Well, completing the description of the technical characteristics, I would like to separately talk about the manufacturers of vintage light sources. Popular brands producing Edison lamps are Danlamp (Denmark), RIGHI LICHT AG (Switzerland), Calex (Holland) and Uniel (China).
You can see the differences between light bulbs from different manufacturers in the video:
Comparison of characteristics and disassembly of antique lamps
Photo application ideas
So we come to the most interesting part of the article - an overview of the successful use of antique incandescent bulbs. So, to your attention a photo of Edison lamps in the interior of houses and apartments:
As you can see, vintage lights look great paired with designer lamps, sconces and chandeliers. You can also complement the interior in an original way with the help of a garland of Edison light bulbs (this idea is shown in one of the photos). We recommend that you use retro lamps when organizing, as well as in recreation areas! Finally, we recommend watching a video that shows even more ideas for using these light sources in the interior:
Ready solutions for home
The Edison lamp is one of the most impressive trends in the lighting world. These retro bulbs attract with their interesting vintage look and pleasant dim radiation. In addition, today there are special Edison lamps that combine vintage charm and modern LED technology. Instead of a filament, these light bulbs use a thin LED, resulting in them using 10 times less electricity than conventional incandescent bulbs, and look as chic as the original models.
In this article, you will get acquainted with the key features of interior lighting with retro Edison lamps and will be able to evaluate them in the design of different rooms.
How is an Edison light bulb different? Features and Specifications
Retro Edison lamps are made for a standard power supply and can be easily used in any apartment. As a rule, they have a very warm color temperature of 2200 Kelvin (for conventional incandescent lamps, this value is 2700-2850 K). This warm amber color creates a unique atmosphere of romance and antiquity in the interior. However, while not too bright, Edison bulbs are more often used as a decorative element.
If you want to use them for general lighting, you can hang several of these lamps together so that they provide enough light. This design solution looks simply amazing and is often used both in ordinary homes and in bars, restaurants, shops and hotels. You can see an example of this in the photo below.
Another interesting feature of Edison bulbs is that they have a higher color rendering index (CRI) than conventional LED bulbs. So, the CRI of Edison LED lamps is 95 (out of 100 maximum), while conventional LED lamps have no more than 80. This means that the glow of these lamps practically does not distort the colors of the objects around you.
Also read: Ceiling lighting with LED strip 30 ideas with photos
Please note that genuine vintage Edison bulbs (with filament, not LED) use a lot of energy and have a very short lifespan. The maximum is 2,500 hours or about a year for normal home use. At the same time, Edison's LED light bulbs last about 15,000 hours on average. Along with their ability to save energy, this makes Edison LED bulbs a much more cost-effective option. However, their lifespan is still shorter than conventional LED bulbs, which can last up to 50,000 hours. The reason for this is the filament shape of the LED, which makes it brittle and poses a risk of overheating.
Choosing a stylish lamp with an Edison lamp
One of the most amazing and useful features of Edison LED bulbs is that they can be made in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. They can be installed in any fixtures instead of conventional lamps or hung on a cord without any cover or lampshade at all.
"Naked" Edison bulbs will be an interesting detail of the interior in the loft style. If you are a fan of bold modern, retro or industrial style, then you will definitely prefer not to cover them with a ceiling or lampshade, but use them as in the following photos:
Also read: Loft-style lamps types and photos
Combining several Edison lamps into one lamp will emphasize the warmth of the glow and with the help of long cords will become the centerpiece of any interior. Very fashionable solution for 2017!
The vintage style of Edison light bulbs is constantly inspiring craftsmen to create creative DIY lamps and chandeliers. Models made using rough wood, forged metal fittings and industrial-style details have a special charm. They create an incredible atmosphere of warmth and comfort, and also bring uniqueness to any room design.
Also read: Best DIY Lighting Ideas from Pinterest
Retro Edison lamps in the interior - 10 more photos
At the end of this article, we suggest you look at a few more photos of Thomas Edison lamps in interior design. Notice how original they look in classic and modern rooms, bringing not only light but also an element of nostalgia everywhere.
Also read: Chic chandeliers in a modern style (photo in the interior)
Light can present interior design in a completely different way, dramatically changing its quality. With the help of lighting fixtures, they visually expand or narrow the space, create accents, and control visual perception. Edison lamps, with a figuratively located tungsten filament in a bulb, are not appropriate in every interior. There are no frills in them. None, except for the expressive pattern of spiral threads from which it is impossible to take your eyes off.
Edison lamps - the whole point is in the incandescent spiral
The famous American inventor took up the improvement of the electric incandescent lamp in 1879. Thomas Edison understood that in order for a glass bulb to shine for a long time and with a bright, even, unblinking light, it was necessary to find a special material for the inner thread. After spending thousands of dollars and experimenting with 6,000,000 substances, Edison made the discovery by equipping his light bulbs with a screw base and strands of charred bamboo fibers.
The first to use tungsten filaments in incandescent lamps and twist them in the form of a spiral was proposed by the Russian electrical engineer Alexander Lodygin.
The incandescent lamp does not have a single inventor. Her story is an amazing chain of discoveries made at different times by different people. But no matter how great Lodygin's merits were, thanks to Edison's aggressive advertising campaign and the establishment of the production of light bulbs for the stream, it is his name that incandescent lamps are called to this day.
Edison lamps in modern reading
The main design trend among lamps remains loft, modern and minimalism. An example is Edison's teardrop, round, long, and "standard" llamas. Pulsing in a dark space on a long cord in a brass cartridge, they create a warm and calm atmosphere. They are used where it is necessary to emphasize the vintage atmosphere, linking the historical era and the present with invisible threads.
Buying light bulbs with the thinnest filaments is not for the sake of economy. The brightness of Edison lamps is less than that of traditional incandescent lamps. The number of tungsten filaments does not affect the power in any way (but how about the price!) Lamps decorate the interior to contemplate the warm vintage energy that they give.
In the updated "park" of handmade retro lamps, lamps with a peculiar glow and shape have features common to all models:
- Edison cartridge made of copper or brass E27;
- bulk glass flask;
- filaments with a warm, even glow and a high color rendering index.
When organizing lighting with retro lamps, various design ideas are embodied. With their help, create "islands of comfort" in the house, restaurant or cafe. And sometimes they are used for general interior lighting. Designers inspired by the work of the 18th century create industrial lamps and chandeliers adapted to the interiors of the 21st century, decorating galleries, showrooms, offices, clubs and stylish apartments with them.
Products that are made exclusively, by hand, do not have copies. Careful study of all the details, without saving on quality, gives a stunning result - each of the Edison lamps comes out with its own character, its own temperament, its own soul.
