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Mike Chino

15 Green Lamps to Light up Your Life

by Mike Chino, 02/11/11

green lamps, energy efficient lighting, sustainable design, green design, energy-efficient light bulbs, philips, interior lighting, low-energy lighting, green lighting 101

Different types of lighting

Directional Lighting

Directional lighting refers to light fixtures that focus illumination in a single direction. When set in a series, these fixtures provide dynamic focus to a room and can efficiently distribute light throughout a room. Directional lighting is commonly provided by bulbs affixed to a ceiling-mounted track, where individual lights can be angled and rotated on a pivot. Another popular choice comes in the form of recessed downward lighting, where the light is regulated by “can fixtures.”

Task Lighting

Task lighting is a specific type of directional lighting that is focuses illumination upon a specific area where a task needs to be performed. Task lighting should not be used to replace overall lighting needs, but rather to complement or fill the void of existing lighting. Task lighting typically comes in the form of table and desk lamps, clamp-type flexible arm lamps, book lights, and for the more adventurous, headlights.

Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting is designed to illuminate an entire room in a uniform and low-key manner. Ambient lighting should never be harsh on the eyes — it should create a comfortable environment that accommodates basic lighting needs. Popular lighting solutions for achieving this type of illumination include floor lamps, chandeliers, hanging lamps with low-watt bulbs, or hanging lamps filtered by cylindrical shades.

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16 Responses to “15 Green Lamps to Light up Your Life”

  1. Jessica Dailey Jessica Dailey says:

    I really love the etched yellow cylinder lights… they remind me of my favorite sculpture by Eva Hesse.

  2. Diane Pham Diane Pham says:

    love the lamp options!

  3. Yuka Yoneda Yuka Yoneda says:

    The Bic Pen chandelier is my fave!

  4. Rebecca Paul Rebecca Paul says:

    Awesome lights! I think people often forget how much lighting enhance the look and feel of any room!

  5. Adam Schwartz Adam Schwartz says:

    Recycled Coffee Stirrer Lamp by Studio Verissimo is pretty incredible. That must have been grueling work!

  6. Jasmin Malik Chua Jasmin Malik Chua says:

    I need some of these lamps in my life!

  7. Julie Knapp Julie Knapp (@juliemknapp) says:

    I love that all of my apartment’s overhead lights are on dimmer switches, and the light in my vestibule has a motion sensor.

  8. David Brodeur David Brodeur says:

    So many great options! I wouldn’t mind having that traffic cone one…

  9. The Lendino Table lamp is some funky stuff- I really am finding out how much I dislike overhead lighting.

  10. Beth Beth (@PetitePlanet) says:

    Wow! That Bic Pen chandelier would shed some light on my writing endeavors! Great post- very illuminating!

  11. Yves Béhar’s designs always manages to impress me & this leaf lamp is no exception, love the clean lines. (Although the traffic cone light is pretty awesome too!)

  12. Nadaman Nadaman says:

    When you said circumference, I think you meant diameter. 1/2 the circumference (plus a few inches) of a round table would have the chandelier overpowering the table. Essentially you are recommending a chandelier of slightly more than half the radius, maybe 55% of the table width.

  13. testingcommentsss testingcommentsss says:

    test comment

  14. electric38 electric38 says:

    Lets get the cost down on those LEDS!!
    It appears that there is a “get the old ones off the shelves” attitude with regard to this money saving technology.
    Why are these bulbs still in the $20-$30 dollar range. This discourages sales and keeps them out of the hands of those who could use the break on their power bill.

    Use the example of the new auto plant in michigan that uses solar energy for manufacturing power. This plant also uses plenty of robotics (solar powered robots? who whudda thunk it). This is a tremendous way to compete with the Chinese labor cost and export our products.

  15. jimena jimena says:

    Great designs!!!! Are they for sale or still prototypes??? If they are being sold, it would be helpful to have a link to the point of sell. Tks

  16. youngjooroh youngjooroh (@youngjooroh) says:

    Yay~ LEDs!

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