Comparing Cocoweb and Restoration Hardware Picture Lights

Picture lights are types of fixtures specifically made for framed pictures or artwork to beautify and emphasize the piece. As many know, lighting artwork is not always the simple task, and as a downside, natural sunlight or use of other lighting that are not made for lighting pictures can physically damage a piece of artwork depending on the materials it consists of. Picking the right fixture that is attractive, relevant, and functional are all equally important, but just where do you find them?

When looking for the right picture light for your picture, there are several companies to pick from. As some of the most popular providers of picture lights, Cocoweb and Restoration Hardware offer higher-end, quality options. When pondering on these two options, it is potent to compare and contrast the two before making a final decision. Read on to learn more about the differences of these two light companies.

1. General style

Starting with Cocoweb first, this company provides picture lights that are quite variant in style. They offer their Tru-Slim Series that offers a thin, modern light that attaches to a picture frame and curves up and out over a picture. Then they have their Classic Series that features a variety of detached and attached styles that would complement any piece: old-fashioned or modern. Cocoweb also offers picture lights that are plug-in, hardwire, or even battery-operated to make the choice even more versatile.

Restoration Hardware, on the other hand, while they do not have extensive picture lights to choose from, provide unique sconce options that have an old-timey yet refurbished feel to them. This company would be an essential to turn to if someone is looking for the perfect picture light for a traditional painting. As a bonus, Restoration Hardware even offers a small selection of their modern, pentagon picture lights for those wanting more timely flair. However, on the downside, this light company only offers picture lights that are plug-in.

Below on the left is a picture light from Restoration Hardware while the one on the right is a picture light from Cocoweb. It is clear to see the differences in style.

Cocoweb is more organized overall and has a variety of ways one can narrow down their search, such as searching by low price, searching for fixtures only of a certain size, and so on. Cocoweb also better organizes and lists the specs of their picture lights to give customers a better idea of their products before they select one. They even have a free, online tool where one can type in the dimensions of their painting to figure out the right sized picture light they need. If one is unsure what color picture light they need, they can also request a color sample to make picking out a painting light easier.

2. Customization options

When comparing the customization consumers have when shopping at Cocoweb versus shopping at Restoration Hardware, it is clear that both have similar options to pick from but also vary.

From Restoration Hardware, consumers can pick out the initial picture light of their choice and can pick a finish color; all of their lights have this option. However, one is not able to choose the size of the fixture except for a few of their products, which can be a deal-breaker for many. Cocoweb often has varying colors of the same picture light and/or will allow consumers to pick out the size in some cases.

In the end, both Cocoweb and Restoration Hardware have customization options at hand – but are nevertheless limited in some areas. When it comes down to who has more fixture sizes, Cocoweb wins as they have a total of 10 sizing options among all of their fixtures from 10” to 43”.

Cocoweb also overall has more finish options while Restoration Hardware only offers four: burnished brass, antiqued brass, bronze, and polished nickel. Cocoweb has finishes from rose gold, to antique brass, to oil rubbed bronze and beyond.

For some options, Restoration Hardware will allow consumers to choose the wattage of their picture light’s bulb – which will cost more but makes it easier on the consumer’s end as they won’t have to find the right bulb at their local hardware store. For some of Cocoweb’s lights, however, consumers have the option to pick the power source of their light: plug-in adapter & dimmer, 4 battery pack & remote, plug-in adapter & dimmer, and so on. Beware, though, that some of the power source options do have additional costs.

When it comes down to the customization options one has or doesn’t have, it truly depends on which picture light one is looking to get. Some lights have a plethora of customizations whereas others have limited options no matter where one goes to purchase their light.

Below is an example of a picture light from Cocoweb that is customizable. Five sizing options and four finishes is fairly extensive.

3. Prices and Shipping

Both Cocoweb and Restoration Hardware offer picture lights in a moderate pricing range that varies from around $170-ish to above $500. However, Cocoweb does offer some models that are slightly more affordable than some of the models offered on Restoration Hardware. Additionally, Restoration Hardware’s most expensive fixture is priced above $1,000 while competitor Cocoweb’s priciest piece is under $550.

Unlike Cocoweb, Restoration Hardware does provide lower picture light costs for members.

As for shipping costs, Cocoweb graciously offers free shipping. As a con, Restoration Hardware has shipping costs that vary based on how much you spend. For instance, buying a fixture priced from $200.01 to $350 would have $35 U.S. shipping whereas a $350.01 to $500 picture light would have $50 shipping. Canadian shipping costs are also provided on a scale. For the actual shipping process, Cocoweb claims to ship within 24 hours after ordering. Meanwhile, Restoration Hardware on or before 8 days after placing your order.

4. Website organization

Cocoweb is more organized overall and has a variety of ways one can narrow down their search, such as searching by low price, searching for fixtures only of a certain size, and so on. Via Restoration Hardware, because they do not have a dropdown box with settings to sort products by price or other aspects, it is harder to scope the available picture lights. It’s little things such as the ease of looking for that perfect picture light that make all the difference. Fortunately, though, Restoration Hardware does not have a selection too large, so lack of a way to sort through products automatically isn’t much of a hassle.

Cocoweb also better organizes and lists the specs of their picture lights to give customers a better idea of their products before they select one. They even have a free, online tool where one can type in the dimensions of their painting to figure out the right sized picture light they need. If one is unsure what color picture light they need, they can also request a color sample to make picking out a painting light easier.

Conclusion

As a bottom line, both Cocoweb and Restoration Hardware offer exquisite picture light fixtures. Most important in deciding which company to choose to buy is your style. Do you want something more modern or more contemporary? Going for a modern look, Cocoweb is sure to provide a better variation of modern styles and generally has a greater selection to offer. Restoration Hardware, however, offers a specific style that offers a mainly unique, old-timey touch that is difficult to find from other sources.

Price-wise, one’s best bet is to go for Cocoweb’s picture lights if they are on a tight budget and would like to take advantage of free shipping. Considering both have a variation of customizations, this is where the two companies kind of butt heads, but with more finishes and sizes offered, someone may enjoy the selection at Cocoweb best. However,someone who tends to get overwhelmed by having too many options at hand would find Restoration Hardware the better option.

In the end, it is all about what suits your tastes and best clicks with the piece you’re wishing to light. For someone who is pickier or unsure of what picture light will be best, Cocoweb may be the better company to turn to. Those who know exactly what they want and require little to no assistance, Restoration Hardware is not a bad option. As a bit of advice, sometimes going for that slightly more expensive picture light can make a dramatic difference in the final results.