Lighting Tips I Wish I Knew Sooner

Over time, working with different types of lighting, I’ve picked up a few tips that tend to come in handy—especially when you’re buying bulbs in bulk or outfitting multiple rooms or locations. Here are a few that might save you time (and maybe some frustration):

Match the color temperature to the room’s purpose.
Warmer tones (around 2700K–3000K) work well for living rooms and bedrooms—they feel cozy and calm. Cooler tones (4000K–5000K) are better for workspaces, garages, or kitchens where clarity matters.

Double-check base types.
E26 and E12 look similar but aren’t interchangeable. It’s worth slowing down to confirm the base type before placing a large order—especially for decorative fixtures.

Not all LEDs are dimmable.
If you use dimmer switches, make sure the bulbs you choose are labeled dimmable—otherwise they may flicker, buzz, or not work properly at all.

Keep a small backup stock.
Buying in bulk doesn’t just save money—it saves hassle. Having a few extras on hand can make a big difference when a light goes out at the wrong time.

Look at lumens, not just watts.
With LEDs, wattage is no longer the best way to measure brightness. Lumens are what actually tell you how bright a bulb will be. More lumens = more light.

These are just a few things we’ve learned along the way at 50bulbs.com, where we try to keep things simple and practical. If you're updating lighting in multiple rooms or just want to make smarter choices, a little planning really does go a long way.