Question:  How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb?

Answer:  Only one…but the light bulb has to really WANT to change.

Maybe you’ve heard this joke before.  And, maybe you are tired of hearing light bulb jokes in general.  But, like it or not—Change is inevitable and the LED light bulb is leading the way.

Nearly a day goes by that we do not hear about light emitting diodes (LEDs) and the changes taking place in the lighting industry.

And, for good reason.  LED is changing the way we see the light.  The latest ceiling pendants, mini chandeliers, task lamps and outdoor light fixtures are accepting these new bulbs with tremendous gusto.  The lighting effects are becoming more versatile and redefining our vision of elegance.  The price of LED lamps is even coming down.

As LED light fixtures become more affordable and user-friendly, the choice of which bulb to use in your next lighting design will be clear…or frosted or soft white or blue…but it will be LED!

1.  LEDs lasts up to 50 times longer and use 80% less energy than old standard incandescent light bulbs.

2.  LEDs burn out slowly over time, so the dreaded pop and bulb blow out will be a blast from the past–something to tell your grandchildren about!

3.  LEDs radiate little to no heat and they hold up extremely well in harsh winter weather conditions.

4.  LEDs are eco-friendly; they do not contain toxic gas or emit harmful IR/UV radiation.

5.  LEDs are also referred to as “solid-state” lighting  (SSL) because they use semiconductors and are solid light sources; they are shatter-resistant and durable.

Embrace change. Learn the facts and put LED to work in your home or office environment.

√ Buy from a reputable dealer.  All LED bulbs are not created equal.  Through a process of “binning,” LED chips are sorted according to the quality and degree of luminescence.  Cheaper LED bulbs may be equipped with a lower quality chip that will not provide the brightest light and may burn out prematurely.

√ Look for Energy Star®-ratings to find LEDs of the highest quality.

Some of the latest LED innovations include designer mini pendants and ceiling fixtures from ELK Lighting.

1) Totally Tubular

We’ve seen words written on walls in LED rope, but never with this kind of frame. How clever! As the evolution of LED rope continues, I would expect to see even more eye-catching wire frames. It’s all about making something that looks good even when rope is not illuminated. This DIYer is definitely on the right track.

3) LED Rope with a Side of More Rope

It seems to be true. She wore garments with integrated LEDs at the Grammy’s and loves to have LED lighting on stage with her. Here, we can see how cool LED rope can be on the stage. There are innumerable shapes and symbols that could be constructed or outlined with LED rope to make a musical performance more visually appealing. Rock on!

5) Wrap Your Porch like a Present

Using rope to play with LED rope has become wildly popular during the past year or so. I love the way this piece displays what I think of as a controlled tangle. This lighting application is artistic in the way it arrest attention and invites questions. Like, “What is the point of this?” And you’re led to answer yourself: It’s a source of light that serves a function while it conveys a unique look. Good stuff.

7)  LED Rope for Starting Seedlings

This is another application that is not new but should be restated. LED rope is a great, relatively inexpensive way to install cove lighting. This is great in residential and commercial settings and needs to be restated because cove lighting creates such a dramatic transformation for any space, and LED rope is just an excellent way to achieve it.

Want to improve your yard? One of the easiest ways to make it more beautiful is to add outdoor lighting. These multi-functional decorations can both help brighten your property and let you use it round-the-clock and make it even more beautiful by adding some soft, highlighting illumination. While outdoor lighting used to involve substantial work, including running bulky and often-ugly electrical runs, today’s homeowners have a number of new technologies that can safely and permanently run electricity without breaking their bank or compromising on beauty. Here are a few of the great options available to homeowners today.

LED lights are more affordable than ever before, and come in a massive range of styles, colors, and can be utilized for nearly any purposes. Perhaps the best part about them is that they are so small that they use very little electricity, while still offering a considerable amount of light.

LED lights come in many different forms, including spotlights, rope lights, or individual bulbs, meaning you can apply them almost anywhere. Looking to illuminate your deck? Run a few strands of LED bulbs across the top for a mood-setting glow. Want to highlight the beauty of your garden? Install a few lights around your prized plants. The possibilities for installing LED lights are endless.

Pools have had lights for many years, but a modern pool light offers extra options that were never available before. Turn the water in your pool or hot tub a fun color, or cycle through different colors quickly with color-changing bulbs. Additionally, modern pool lights need far less electricity to run and can offer even brighter solutions than ever before. Plus, a pool light can help you stay safe at night by making sure you see the water at all times.

Pathway lights can offer a lovely dressing for your existing paths as well as help you avoid any potential trip hazards. If kids leave toys out on the path, you can avoid these obstacles with a few simple pathway lights. Some models of pathway lights are even solar powered, gathering sunlight during the day to power themselves and then turning on at night with a subtle glow.

Security lights can help shine light in pivotal spots of your home during darkness hours, such as near front-facing windows or your front door. Many of these lights are motion-activated and require very little work to install, but can flood an area with bright light to help you spot and keep away potential intruders. Other types of security lights stay on all night long and offer you the peace of mind of knowing your home is not shrouded in darkness that encourages illegal activity.