Small globe bulbs for wall lights and decorative shades

Small G45 and P45 globes fit narrow shades and look tidy in open fittings. Where they work best and what to check before buying.

For some fittings an ordinary pear-shaped bulb is too big and clumsy, while a candle does not suit the style. That is where small globe bulbs come in. They are compact, look the same from every angle and appear neat whether hidden or on show. Wall lights, night lights, small glass shades and decorative pendants are their natural home.

What G45 and P45 mean

Small globe bulbs are usually labelled G45 or P45. In both codes the figure 45 is the width in millimetres, so these are round bulbs of roughly the same size.

In theory, G (globe) is closer to a true sphere, while P is slightly elongated towards the neck, rather like a golf ball. In practice many makers use the names interchangeably, so when choosing it is more reliable to look at the dimensions, diameter and overall length, than at the letter.

Globe bulbs come in other sizes too: G40, G50, G60, and the large decorative G80, G95 and G125. Here the focus is on the small end, roughly 40 to 60 mm. These are noticeably shorter than an ordinary A60 bulb, and in tight spaces that difference is decisive.

Where they work especially well

Glass shades with a narrow neck. Some wall and ceiling shades have an opening an A60 bulb cannot pass through. A small globe with the same cap slips in easily.

Open wall lights and spot-style sconces. When the bulb is visible, a round shape looks more neutral and modern than a candle or pear.

Night lights and children's room lamps. A small size combined with low brightness gives soft light that does not dazzle.

Around mirrors. A row of globe bulbs along the edge of a mirror lights the face evenly and looks visually clean.

Decorative pendants. Several small bare globes hung together create a light, airy arrangement.

Choosing the cap: E14 or E27

Small globes are made with both E14 and E27 caps. Wall lights and night lights often use E14, while simple ceiling shades and decorative pendants tend to use E27. Check the old bulb's cap before buying and do not rely on an adapter: in a small shade an adapter lowers the bulb and the advantage of the compact shape is lost.

Glass type and light

Frosted globe is the most common choice. The whole bulb glows softly and the light source is not visible. It is the most comfortable option for open wall lights and fittings at eye level.

Clear filament globe shows the thin LED filaments inside. It gives a retro effect in clear glass shades and open decorative lamps, but a bare filament at eye level can look very bright.

Opal or milky glass gives an even softer, more uniform light than frosted glass.

Pick the light colour to suit the room: warm white in bedrooms and living rooms, while around a bathroom mirror neutral white, which shows skin tones more accurately, is often more practical.

Check size and heat

Small globes may share a diameter but differ in length. In LED bulbs the driver sits in the neck, so some models are longer than a classic incandescent globe. With a closed shade, check the new bulb's dimensions against the old one before buying.

Heat builds up quickly in a small enclosed shade. An LED bulb gives off far less heat than an incandescent, but its driver still needs some airflow. For a bulb that will run inside a small sealed glass globe, check the pack to see whether the maker permits use in enclosed fittings.

A short plan for choosing

• Confirm the cap: E14 or E27.
• Measure the shade opening and the length available inside.
• Will the bulb be visible? If so, choose between frosted and filament styles.
• Decide the light colour based on how the room is used.
• If there is a dimmer, get a dimmable bulb.

Among the compact shapes in Zaferoğlu Elektrik's Zəfər İşığı catalogue are the C45 E27 bulb and filament bulbs with an E14 cap; when choosing for narrow shades and wall lights, compare their dimensions on the product pages.