Electrical Components

Lighting Accessories FAQ

What are the main parts of a light fixture?

Whether you’re planning on installing a chandelier, pendant light, or wall sconce, there are a few basic parts that every fixture has, including a canopy, rod or cord, socket, light bulb, and shade or cage. If you’re buying a ready-made fixture from us, we provide everything you need for your fixture, like lighting accessories and electrical components, except for the light bulb and sometimes the lamp shade.

We want you to participate in the customization of your light fixture, so we encourage you to choose your own light bulb and shade to define your aesthetic.

What is swagging a light fixture?

Swagging a light fixture is when you create a unique design to manage hanging or dragging cords from a plug-in design. Wall sconces, lamps, and pendant lights can all plug into a wall outlet, so you might need to swag a cord along the wall with cord stays or swag hooks to keep things neat and create a cool design. Check out these articles on swagging for more guidance:

• How To Add Swag
• How to Hang Swag Lights
• 8 Other Uses for Decorative Swag Hooks

What are the light fitting accessories of a fixture that holds the light bulbs?

This is known as a lamp socket or lightbulb socket, and it mechanically supports the structure of the fixture. These essential accessories and replacement parts for light fixtures provide the electrical connection to ensure a compatible lamp base that allows you to safely replace various elements of your fixture. You can find matching lightbulb sockets in our sockets and covers collection. These lighting accessories are available in a variety of materials and colors for your convenience.

How does lamp wiring work?

Our brief DIY wiring guide above should provide you with the basics of how to wire a light fixture, but you still may not understand exactly how it works. 

When it comes to wiring, the current flows through the “hot” (black positive) wire to light your bulb and returns via the “neutral” (white negative) wire. This is why almost of our fixtures have at least two wires. Some of our fixtures, usually hanging fixtures, will have a third that’s called a “ground” (green) wire. 

If you are new to working with electrical components like these, please consider contacting a local electrician to help you wire your new lighting.

Can I rewire an older fixture with new light fitting accessories?

Depending on the type of fixture and the lighting accessories you need, it’s definitely possible to rewire an older fixture to ensure it still works — as long as all the parts are compatible. You’ll need to read the specifications of every component to ensure part diameters, threading, and sizes will work together.

You can also revamp an older style with basic replacement parts for light fixtures, like colorful electrical cords, fresh lamp shades, and swag hooks. Update old fixtures with a new look when you shop here!

If you have any other questions about our lighting accessories, the Color Cord Company team is here to help. Use our chat tool to discuss your needs with one of our experts right away.

Is there a way to soften lighting using lighting accessories?

Of course! There are several approaches you can take to create softer lighting in your space, including:

• Softer Light Bulbs: For cozy lighting, you should check out the Lumen and Kelvin specifications on your light bulb packaging. Lumens indicate the brightness of the bulb, while Kelvins indicate the color. For soft white or blue light, choose low Lumens and high Kelvins. You can also achieve soft, warm light with low Lumens and low Kelvins.
• Dimmers: These light fitting accessories are an add-on piece that you can integrate into the lamp cord or light switches to modulate your lighting with a slide. Dimmers are relatively easy to splice into your lamp cord, but must be compatible with your light bulb to work.
• Lamp Shades: Shades are an easy way to dim your light bulbs while adding decorative elements to your interior design. Fabric, paper, and glass replacement parts for light fixtures can all diffuse light in different ways, depending on their thickness and color. Review our guide to lampshade materials to find the right diffusion style for your space.