How to Make a Lamp Less Bright

January 26, 2023 0

There are many reasons why you may want to make a lampless bright. For one, it can be hard on your eyes and create eyestrain. You also might not like the brightness of the light, or you might need to save energy by using lower wattage bulbs.

Whatever your reason for wanting a dimmer light, some simple solutions don’t require breaking open the lamp’s housing or replacing any parts. In these blog posts, we are going to cover how to make a lamp less bright.

To change how much light comes from an electric bulb, you have to use different wattage bulbs in your lamps. The higher the wattage of the bulb, the brighter it will be. But if this doesn’t work for what you’re looking for either because of safety concerns over a high wattage bulb or because you don’t want the extra heat of a high wattage bulb, you can use this alternate method to get more control over your lighting.

10 Ways on How to Make a Lamp Less Bright

1. Add a Lampshade:

When a lamp is too bright, the solution may be as simple as adding a lampshade. Lampshades come in various styles and colors to match any decor. In addition to dimming the light, they also protect the bulb from dust and damage.

2. Use a Table Lamp:

If you have a freestanding lamp in a particular area, you may want to consider using a table lamp instead. Table lamps are designed for general lighting, while floor lamps can serve as reading lamps or task lighting.

3. Swap Out the Bulb:

Two common 100-watt bulbs produce about 800 lumens each; however, one 75-watt bulb produces around 925 lumens, making it brighter than the 100-watt bulb. Taking into account that the common household lightbulb is limited to about 1,000 hours of use, you can expect to buy several 75-watt bulbs before having to change a 100-watt bulb.

4. Use LED Bulbs:

LED lightbulbs use less energy and produce more lumens than other types of bulbs, making them a popular choice for homeowners looking to cut down on their electric bills. These bulbs can be found in many standard sizes and brightness levels.

5. Keep the Lamp Clean:

Dust and dirt buildup over time may increase the wattage needed to light a lamp. If your lampshades are dusty, clean them with a feather duster. If your lamp has a lightbulb, remove it and use an air compressor to blow the dust away.

6. Use Energy-Efficient Bulbs:

Energy-efficient bulbs offer more brightness with less wattage. These types of energy-saving lightbulbs are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners who want to reduce their carbon footprint while saving money on their electric bills.

7. Use a Lampshade Extender:

A lampshade extender is a short piece of plastic tubing with an adhesive back attached to a lampshade’s top and bottom openings. This product reduces the amount of light coming from a lamp while still maintaining its original appearance.

8. Add an Extra Layer of Glass:

A lampshade with a second piece of glass over the top can reduce light by up to 50 percent. If your lamps do not have removable shades, ask an expert at your local hardware store about obtaining one with double-glass shades.

9. Opt for Dimmer Switches:

If you want to dim your lamp without replacing the bulb, a dimmer switch may be your answer. Dimmers allow you to control lighting with just a touch of a button, and they can reduce wattage up to 75 percent.

10. Add a Semi-Transparent Panel:

These panels come in several colors and styles. They reduce the amount of light emitted but do not completely block it out like other window treatments, which makes them ideal for windows in rooms where glare is undesirable.

Some Tips and Suggestions

If you have a desk lamp, place a piece of paper or foil under the bulb. This will direct some of the light where you want it and less out into the room, making it less bright.
If you have an overhead light, use a dimmer to lessen the room’s brightness.
If all else fails, close your curtains or blinds. The darker the room is outside, the less bright it will be inside!
Alternatively, go with full-spectrum lighting for overall glow instead of harsh brightness. Full-spectrum lighting is more energy-efficient, lasting longer than standard incandescent lights.
Use natural sunlight or full-spectrum lightbulbs if practical during the day to help decrease your need for an artificially brightened environment at night.
If you use lamps in your household, purchase the lamp with a thicker shade and do not let the light come out of it. This will decrease the brightness of the room too.
In the case of overhead lighting, get a lampshade that is thick enough. This will make the light less bright.

Things to Consider When Making Lamp Less Bright

The brightness of a lamp can be adjusted by changing bulb wattage.
A higher percentage of energy is lost through heat when using lower wattages.
Using bulbs with the wrong wattage could result in fire or injury to people and pets.
The best solution for dimming a lamp is to use dimmable LED bulbs.
Appropriate wattage for a lamp is determined by its height and distance from the bulb to the wall.
The brightness of lamps can vary slightly when different bulbs are used in the same lamp.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a way to make your lamp less bright while still keeping the same lighting level, some things can be done. One option is to use an energy-efficient bulb with lower lumens or purchase a dimmer switch and install it on your light fixture.

You could also place curtains over windows or blackout shades to block out more natural light coming into the room. We hope this blog post helped guide you through how to make a lamp less bright! Do any of these sounds like something you would try? Let us know what has helped you!