Home Lighting Timeline
Since the first light bulb was invented in 1854, lighting has come a long way! That first one contained a carbonised filament in a glass bulb but just two years later Heinrich Geissler created the first florescent light using gas in a concealed tube. You might be thinking, wasn’t it Thomas Edison that invented the light bulb? Well in fact, in 1879, he invented the first incandescent light bulb. Almost 40 years later we saw the introduction of the first fluorescent lamp. The main difference is the way that light is produced. Incandescent bulbs produce light by causing a metallic filament to radiate light through heat, and a fluorescent lamp is lit through exciting gas and causing it to glow.
Over the years there has been an increase in the replacement of incandescent with fluorescent bulbs to save energy, and the final ban of incandescent bulbs in the UK will be in force by September 2018. Fluorescent bulbs have also been forced to become much more energy efficient, safe and adaptable in the Government’s attempt to reduce domestic electricity use through modern lighting.
Modern Lighting | Clean Lines, Smart Homes and Light Shows
Of course, we couldn’t write this article without a mention of LED lighting! Modern lighting takes advantage of the vast array of colours, sizes and forms available, and can create all sorts of atmospheres in a room. LEDs were invented in 1962 by Nick Holonyak Jr. but were not actually introduced for sale for residential use until 2002. Now LEDs are widely used and LED strip lights allow you to easily fit LED lights almost anywhere.
LED strip lighting is great for modern lighting due to its flexibility and colour-changing options. It is also easy to fit and works well as secondary lighting to update older rooms and give a new feel to the place. Our colour-changing LED lighting kits are great for the indecisive or those who like to entertain or match a colour-scheme.
Other Trends and the Return of Retro!
As with all interior design, home lighting over the years has changed dramatically, although you may notice a shift towards ‘vintage’ and decorative lighting. It is common place for bars and restaurants to use pendant lighting, copper accents and mood lighting to attract customers and create a more homely feel. You may have encountered the concept of Hygge that has travelled from Scandinavia to make spaces more cosy and inviting. Some eating venues are incorporating this with candle-lit tables, outdoor blankets, and intimate settings. However, in kitchen design, modern lighting and clean lines are still a huge trend, along with LED under cabinet lighting and LED downlights.
