How a chandelier looks depends not only on its design but also on the bulbs inside it. The same chandelier can create a completely different atmosphere with bulbs of another colour temperature or brightness. In this article we explain what the socket types you see on our product pages — E14, E27, G9, G4 and GU10 — mean, and how to choose the right bulb.
Socket types: E14, E27, G9, G4, GU10
E14 is the small, narrow screw socket often used with candle bulbs on chandelier arms. E27 is the standard large screw socket, preferred with bigger bulbs in table lamps, floor lamps and single pendants. G9 uses a small two-pin capsule bulb and is common in compact modern chandeliers. G4 is also a two-pin socket but smaller, and usually runs at low voltage (most often 12 V). GU10 is a twist-lock socket used for spot bulbs. A note such as '12 × E14' on a product page means the chandelier has twelve E14 sockets.
Colour temperature: 2700K, 3000K, 4000K
The Kelvin (K) value describes the colour of the light. 2700K is warm and yellowish, creating an intimate atmosphere in living rooms, bedrooms and dining areas. 3000K is warm white and the most popular choice in homes as well as hotels and restaurants. 4000K is neutral white and gives clear vision in offices, kitchens and work areas. With crystal chandeliers, warm white light makes the sparkle of the crystals look softer.
Brightness: lumens, not watts
For LED bulbs, brightness is measured in lumens (lm), not watts. Roughly, about 450 lm replaces an old 40 W incandescent bulb and about 800 lm replaces a 60 W one. On chandeliers with many arms the total light adds up, so choosing lower-lumen bulbs helps prevent glare.
Dimming and colour rendering
If you want to dim your chandelier, the bulb packaging should say 'dimmable' and the bulbs should be compatible with your dimmer. Bulbs with a colour rendering index (CRI) above 80, ideally above 90, show colours more naturally. You can find the socket type and number of bulbs of our products in the specifications section of each product page.
Related pages: Modern chandelier models · Wall and floor lamps · Custom chandelier design process
