Lighting has its own vocabulary and most of it is more useful than it sounds. Here is a straightforward guide to the terms you are most likely to encounter when buying or designing home lighting.
Lumens
Lumens measure the total amount of light a bulb or lamp produces. More lumens means more light. This is the number to pay attention to when comparing brightness, not watts. Watts measure energy consumption, not output. A 200-lumen lamp is well suited to ambient mood lighting. A reading lamp typically needs 400-800 lumens.
Colour temperature
Measured in Kelvin (K), colour temperature describes how warm or cool a light source appears. Lower numbers (2700-3000K) are warm and yellow-toned, like candlelight or a sunset. Higher numbers (5000K and above) are cool and blue-toned, like daylight. For living spaces and bedrooms, warm tones generally create a more comfortable atmosphere. For kitchens, bathrooms, and workspaces, cooler tones aid visibility and focus. See how this plays out practically in our guide to what mood lighting is and how to create it.
Ambient, task, and accent lighting
These three categories describe the purpose of a light source rather than its technical specifications. Ambient lighting is the general background light in a room. Task lighting is focused and functional -- a desk lamp, a kitchen bench light. Accent lighting draws attention to a specific feature: a piece of art, a bookshelf, an architectural detail. Most well-lit rooms use all three. Read more about why ambient lighting is worth taking seriously.
COB LED
COB stands for Chip on Board -- a type of LED technology where multiple LED chips are packed closely together on a single board. COB LEDs produce a smooth, even light output with less visible hotspots than standard LEDs. Lumo Bloc wireless lamps use a 24-COB LED light bar, which contributes to the soft, diffused quality of the light through the glass block.
Wired vs wireless
Wired lamps connect to a mains power source and run continuously. Wireless lamps run on batteries and can be placed anywhere. The right choice depends on your space and how you want to use the lamp. We cover this in detail in our cordless vs wired lamps guide.
Reclaimed vs recycled
Reclaimed materials are salvaged intact and reused in their existing form. Recycled materials are broken down and reprocessed into new materials. Reclaimed glass blocks, for example, are the original glass rescued from a demolished building. Recycled glass has been melted down and reformed. Both reduce waste, but reclaimed materials retain their original character and require significantly less energy to reprocess. Read more in sustainable materials in home decor.
Shop Lumo Bloc -- handcrafted NZ lighting using reclaimed glass.