How can we dim the brightness of our new dining room light fixture while maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the open light bulb design?
Asked by Brett Black 
8 months ago
Last Updated: May 2, 2024
We decided to change our dining room light, but the new bulb is too bright even with the dimmer switch. Any ideas on how to adjust it without changing the fixture?
A lower watt bulb could work well in this case.
How about using a frosted bulb instead? Maybe a lower wattage one would be better. You could also try painting the inside of the fixture white.
Yeah that’s exactly what I was thinking too.
https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/molnart-led-bulb-e26-140-lumen-globe-gray-clear-glass-40513480/
If you lower the wattage, the brightness decreases as well even if you use a dimmer switch. I like to use dimmers on all my lights but never go over a 40w equivalent.
That bulb is really big. Can you even make it less bright?
LED bulbs do not necessarily correspond to wattage. Speaking as a former lighting designer, aim for a bulb in the 3500 Kelvin range to soften the harshness of the light. Look for a bulb with lower lumens. Ensure it is dimmable, and verify that the dimmer is LED-compatible. I know, it’s repetitive, but just a friendly reminder. Best of luck!
Consider getting a bulb that is equivalent to 20 watts
Perhaps try painting the bulb with a slightly translucent white or frosted finish
Make sure to choose light bulbs with lower lumens and, most importantly, opt for warm ones instead of cool ones. Light bulbs have temperature ratings that affect their brightness and harshness, so warm bulbs are the way to go.
Is this an Edison bulb? That’s funny, usually I have the opposite issue. Like others said, choose a bulb with a warm tone. Avoid ones that say daylight.
Have you considered trying a smart bulb? It can be dimmed using a phone app.
I’m a big fan of daylight bulbs – they really make all the difference for me!
In my opinion, the fixture would probably look better with a frosted bulb that has a globe shape.
You know, one option could be to try out frosted glass spray and apply it to the inside of the glass. That might help scatter the light a bit.
Adore the light bulb, but is it soft white or bright white? That makes a difference. Also, consider lowering the wattage. Personally, I would go with a soft white 40 watt bulb and still have the option of using a dimmer switch.
Squinting? I got you. 😑
‘t worry about watts. Pay attention to lumens. Personally, I recommend LEDs because they are super efficient. Regardless of the technology, consider the color temperature in Kelvins (named after Lord Kelvin). Search online for a chart showing the different K ranges to achieve the desired ambiance.
You might want to consider a smart bulb. Depending on the type you choose, you can adjust the brightness and color temperature.
Consider using an “antique” style Edison bulb.
They have Edison bulbs with an amber tint. Lowering the wattage could also be a solution.
Replace the lightbulb
Are you kidding me? Just get a dimmer bulb. A frosted style with 2700k gives a nice warm light. Aim for 500-800LM.
If you want a dimmer light, focus on lumen instead of wattage. Make sure to look at the lumen rating of the bulb and choose a lower one.
Both of those numbers are actually pretty important. It’s not hard to find a lower lumen count if you use a lower wattage Edison bulb.
It’s more convenient to look for a bulb with lower wattage and lumens from online retailers. Big box stores often have a limited variety to choose from.
Are you seriously asking this?
Try searching for a ‘half chrome light bulb’ on Amazon. These bulbs prevent the light from shining directly down, resulting in a less harsh glare 🥴
Thank you so much, !