LIGHTING & LAMP SHOPPING
Find out where to shop for lighting fixtures and lamps in the Netherlands, including the Dutch terminology for different styles, retailers that sell low-cost lights, smart technology lamps and more…
Expats new to the Netherlands should be aware that renters typically take everything they have purchased with them when they move out of a property, which can include rugs, blinds, refrigerators, stoves and even light fixtures. So be prepared to purchase new items if you don’t already have them. In this post, we’ll be talking specifically about where you can shop for lamps and lighting in Holland, including Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and online.
To start, it helps to know what different categories of light fixtures are called in Dutch…
| ENGLISH < – > DUTCH | ENGLISH < – > DUTCH |
| bathroom light = badkamerlamp | built-in spot light = inbouwspot |
| ceiling light = plafondlamp | ceiling fan with light = plafondventilator met lamp |
| child light = kinderlamp | desk light = buraeulamp |
| floor lamp = staande lamp | hanging lamp = hanglamp |
| lamp shade = lampenkap | night light = nachtverlichting |
| outdoor light = buitenlamp | smart light = slimme verlichting |
| table lamp = tafellamp | wall lamp = wandverlichting |
The most common types of bulbs used in lamps and light fixtures in the Netherlands include E27 (large fitting) and E14 (small fitting) screw-in light bulbs (in Dutch ‘lichtbronnen’), GU10 (spot with 2 anchor pins) and GU4/GU5.3 (spot with 2 straight pins). Halogen bulbs are being phased out in the EU (the sale of new lighting fixtures that require halogen bulbs were banned beginning 1st September 2018), replaced by far more efficient LED bulbs.
SHOPPING FOR LAMPS & LIGHTS IN HOLLAND
There are lots of places to shop for lighting in the Netherlands including furniture and decor stores, DIY home improvement stores, department stores, electronics stores and, of course, specialty lighting stores. Most Dutch retail chains have physical stores in all large cities in Holland, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Eindhoven and Groningen. So if you need the light fixture, lamp or bulb today, head out to the nearest Praxis, Hema or Blokker.
If tomorrow or the next day works, then shop online. Dutch e-tailers such as Bol.com and Wehkamp offer wide lighting assortments as does Woon, a large home furnishings store in Alkmaar that may not be convenient to visit but its webshop, WoonOnline has a large lighting selection.
Here are some examples of lamps and lights available from retailers here in the Netherlands…
TABLE LAMPS
FLOOR LAMPS
CEILING LIGHTS
SMART HOME LIGHTING
Philips is a Dutch brand known around the world for its high-quality electrical products and appliances. It is at the forefront of research and development and is often first-to-market with new products. Such is the case with smart technology lighting. The Philips Hue line of products include light bulbs and spot lights that can not only be dimmed wirelessly using your smart phone but can also change color. The Hue bridge allows you to connect all your Hue lighting indoor and outdoor.
iDual is another smart lighting brand available at stores in the Netherlands. Their product line is generally lower-priced than the Philips Hue line so if price is the driving factor, iDual may be a better choice. Both offer starter kits…
Related information…