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Customer question
What's the difference between a CRI 80 bulb and a CRI 95 bulb, and is it worth paying more?
The answer
CRI 95 shows colours closer to how they really are, especially skin, wood and red. In the Majlis, kitchen and bathrooms the difference is worth it; in storerooms and service rooms, 80 is enough.
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Common mistakeDirect lighting in dressing rooms
“Your clothes look one colour in the wardrobe and another once you step outside?”
- The problem
- Using low-CRI lights and placing the light behind the person
- Technical explanation
- Dressing rooms need CRI 95 or above, with directional lighting inside the wardrobes or between the person and the mirror to avoid shadows and false colours
- The result
- Perfect elegance and choosing the right colours for your clothes every day
Common mistakeLighting above the dining table
“Put a standard downlight over the dining table? The food will look dull and the shadows will spoil the meal!”
- The problem
- Using general, diffused lighting that doesn't focus on the dishes makes the food and the space less appealing.
- Technical explanation
- The dining table needs focused Accent Lighting with a narrow beam, 5 times stronger than the surrounding general lighting to draw attention.
- The result
- The atmosphere of luxury 5-star restaurants in your home, and a better appetite thanks to accurate colour rendering.
Common mistakeFluorescent colour mistake (Halophosphor)
“Your kitchen is high-end, but the lighting makes it look cheap? The problem is the type of tube!”
- The problem
- Using old fluorescent tubes (single phosphor) with poor colour rendering
- Technical explanation
- You should use modern Tri-phosphor tubes, or LED, because their colour accuracy (CRI) exceeds 80 and they give a stronger output
- The result
- An appetising kitchen, with true, vibrant food colours
Common mistakeSingle-phosphor fluorescent tubes
“Buying cheap fluorescent tubes and wondering why your kitchen colours look gloomy?”
- The problem
- Old Halophosphor tubes distort colours and have poor efficiency.
- Technical explanation
- Replace them right away with Tri-phosphor tubes or LED to improve colour accuracy (CRI) and reduce electricity consumption.
- The result
- A bright environment and natural colours that lift the mood.
Spec explainedThe secret of luxury: CRI
“You furnished your living room with the most expensive furniture, but it looks dull and not the same colour as in the showroom? The problem is your lamp!”
- The problem
- Colours look dull and unnatural at home.
- Technical explanation
- CRI, or colour rendering index. Products with CRI > 90 show the true colours of furniture and marble, just like sunlight.
- The result
- Brings out the value of the villa's furniture, paints and fabrics, making it feel vibrant and luxurious. (Contact us to supply you with High-CRI lighting.)
Spec explainedThe colour-accuracy advantage (CRI 95+)
“Furnished your home with the most expensive brands, but the colours look dull? The fault isn't the furniture!”
- The problem
- Cheap lamps distort natural colour tones.
- Technical explanation
- CRI is the measure of colour rendering. If it is above 95, colours will appear completely true, just as you see them in sunlight.
- The result
- Showing the property, furniture and artwork at their brightest and most beautiful.
ComparisonA 15-rial fixture vs. a 200-rial fixture
“Same look, same wattage... so why is one 15 and the other 200?”
- The problem
- Being fooled by the fixture’s outward appearance
- Technical explanation
- The expensive fixture gives you: an aluminium heatsink (longer life), a Flicker-free Driver (eye comfort), high CRI (true colours), and deep cut-off for glare control
- The result
- An investment that lasts 10 years without maintenance, with unmatched luxury
Spec explainedCRI > 90, or colour accuracy
“Furnished your home with the most expensive brands, but the colours look dull and lifeless?”
- The problem
- Using lights with poor colour rendering
- Technical explanation
- CRI measures colour accuracy. Fixtures with CRI 95 show the colours of fabrics and marble exactly as they look in sunlight
- The result
- Showcasing the value of your furniture and the beauty of your home brilliantly.
Guide values; the final decision rests with a qualified engineer under the applicable code.