What is an Edison Bulb?
Beau WynjaWhat is an Edison light bulb? Named for Mr. Thomas Edison, the Edison light bulb design has been around for more than 100 years and remains a popular choice in contemporary lighting design. At Color Cord Company, we love finding new ways to use Edison bulbs while giving you new ideas to style your home with them. Follow along as we explore types of Edison bulbs and how to use them in your home!
The Basics of the Edison Bulb
Today’s Edison bulbs aren’t exact replicas of the original light bulb. After all, current technology has dramatically improved on the original.
Despite that fact, today’s bulbs are made to resemble the original light bulbs. They’re incandescent bulbs that have filaments and glass lenses. So what is an Edison bulb? The contemporary version is an Edison-style bulb that is similar in appearance to the lights used over a century ago.
How Have Things Changed?
Years ago, Edison bulbs weren’t made to last. But one of the most significant changes to the Edison light is the use of an LED filament. In some Edison bulbs, there is an LED filament that makes the bulb’s color mimic that of the original bulb. Instead of letting off a bright light, an LED bulb produces a warmer color.
If you’re wondering what an Edison bulb is, you should also know that current LED versions of the bulb last longer than incandescent bulbs. As with all LED lights, LED Edison lights have a lifespan of about five times more than incandescent lights. They also use much less electricity than incandescent bulbs, which saves you money on your energy bills.
Over time, it’s likely that LED Edison bulbs will only improve. As technology evolves, the bulbs will become more efficient. Technology has already made it possible to change the color of the light and to control your lighting through a smartphone.
Edison Light Bulbs Are at the Heart of Modern Lighting Designs
You might be wondering why it’s important to know anything about the Edison-style bulb design. For one, the lighting style is extremely popular. In both residential and commercial properties, the Edison bulb is prevalent.
If you want to be trendy and stylish, you should consider incorporating some type of Edison bulb fixtures into your home or business. But with so many light bulb options on the market, you need to know what to look for.
The Different Types of Edison Bulbs
There are several different types of Edison lights available to you. Once you choose a bulb, you can customize your lighting with other features, like cloth-covered colored cords. There’s more variety than you might imagine with the modern Edison light bulb.
One unique way to add style to a room is to place an Edison bulb in an enclosed fixture. While most people who try to imagine what an Edison bulb is may think of an open bulb hanging from a string or pendant, you can use the bulb in a fixture. You just need to be sure that your bulb of choice is rated for the fixture.
However you choose to use your bulbs, the basic look of the bulb matters. Here are a few options:
Classic Edison Bulb
There’s nothing wrong with keeping things simple. With a classic Edison bulb, you can embrace the exposed bulb style. This type of bulb also pairs well with a cage. It’s what most people explain when trying to describe what an Edison bulb is.
Curved Edison Bulb
A curved bulb is similar to a classic bulb, but it has a curved filament instead of a straight one. While the overall look of the light bulb is retro, the curved filament gives it a unique, updated twist.
Milk LED Edison Bulb
Another popular choice for classic Edison bulbs is the LED Edison Bulb with a milky finish. Since this style is more translucent, and given the milky white finish, the filaments are not visible and the result is a softer “glow” from the bulb. It’s a unique take on the Edison-style bulb design as many other styles do have the filament visible.
Amber LED Edison Bulb
As mentioned earlier in the section about what is an Edison bulb, this bulb is available in an LED version with an amber tint. Amber makes the lighting temperature warmer, offering a vintage vibe with the filament on display. It comes with significant energy savings and gives you the opportunity to change the color of the lighting.
How Does an Edison Bulb Differ From Other Light Bulbs?
The modern version of an Edison light bulb is only different from standard bulbs in terms of aesthetics. These Edison-style bulbs feature contemporary features in an antique style. However, the original Edison bulb produced about half the amount of light of a modern incandescent bulb and heated up far more than current bulb options.
Are Edison Bulbs Energy Efficient?
Once upon a time, traditional Edison bulbs were not particularly energy efficient as they were incandescent. Some modern incandescent bulbs are less energy-efficient than LED options. At Color Cord, we offer LED Edison-style bulbs that ensure energy efficiency without compromising the vintage feel of any type of Edison bulb.
Where are Edison Bulbs Typically Used?
When it comes down to style, you can use Edison bulbs wherever you want. Just keep in mind that this aesthetic is best used when trying to create a warm, inviting environment. If you’re big on hosting, you may want to prioritize Edison bulbs in living rooms, dining rooms, and outdoor hosting spaces.
These light bulbs are also a popular choice for commercial spaces, such as with trendy restaurant lighting design, indie boutiques, coffee shops, and hotel lighting. The Edison style enhances hospitality spaces by adding a touch of industrial meets vintage, making contemporary spaces feel warmer with a vintage-inspired atmosphere.
Can You Dim Edison Bulbs?
Note that all of our hardwired light fixtures are compatible with dimmer switches. For dimmable hardwired lighting with Edison bulbs, you will need a suitable dimmer switch for best results.
Depending on the type of Edison bulb you choose (milk glass or amber, for example), you’ll notice a difference in color temperature and ambience.
Smart Edison bulbs have the same look and can be dimmed via smart device, whether it’s for a plug-in fixture or a hardwired light fixture. Note that Color Cord does not carry smart bulbs, however.
Do Edison Bulbs Come in Different Shapes and Sizes?
We’ve discussed a lot about what an Edison bulb is and how they’ve been modernized with the newest technology. Because of this added versatility, Edison bulbs are available in classic, curved, linear, and circular designs.
How Can You Use the Edison Bulb?
The Edison bulb is flexible in that there are several ways in which you can use it in your home. For instance, you could place it in a cage and hang it as a pendant light or highlight it with a glass globe shade for extra diffusion. Showcase your Edison bulbs in communal areas that still require robust lighting, like above kitchen islands and dining room tables.
Edison Bulbs for Every Environment
When explaining what an Edison bulb is, there’s one application that must be mentioned: string lights! Because it looks great exposed, the Edison bulb is most often used with a row of others on one or more strings. Our S14 outdoor bulbs are a smaller version of the Edison style and really help elevate outdoor areas. We love recommending Edison lights for exterior areas, as they can create a warm, welcoming environment for patios, gazebos, and other lounge areas.
You also don’t need to accessorize Edison bulbs with shades or cages, so your string lights won’t clash with any existing decor. You can seamlessly upgrade and enhance your exterior furniture with just a few chic string lights.
Shop Different Types of Edison Bulbs at Color Cord Company
If you want to learn more about the Edison bulb or how you can use it in your home or business for some vintage-inspired lighting that is also energy-efficient, browse our modern light fixtures or contact us at Color Cord Company with any questions. We’re here to answer all of your lighting questions and to guide you in your next purchase.
