(ARA) - The next time you walk into a department store, or model home for that matter, pay close attention to how the room is lit. You just may get a peek into the future.

You'll notice the old standard incandescent bulbs that produce light by passing electricity through a thin filament which becomes hot and glows are nowhere to be found. They have been replaced by smaller, brighter, more energy efficient bulbs - some so tiny that you probably don't even notice them.

"Because incandescent bulbs are so inefficient - only about 10 percent of the electric energy is turned into light - as more efficient alternatives, like compact fluorescent lamps, become available and practical, we have an opportunity for a major change ," says Terry McGowan, director of technology for the American Lighting Association. "People are coming to realize that switching over to fluorescent and LED light sources will not only save them money, but benefit the environment as well."

Fluorescent bulbs use two-thirds less energy to give you the same amount of light. They last six to ten times longer than traditional incandescent lighting, and they burn much cooler which makes them safer to use. They can also offer a more natural looking light.

Light emitting diodes or LEDs have an average life of 10,000 or more hours compared to 1,000-2,000 hours for an incandescent bulb. LEDs also better resist shock and vibration, operate at a lower temperature and consume less power.

"Having these smaller, more efficient bulbs to work with has really opened a lot of doors from a lighting design standpoint," says Joe Rey-Barreau, who serves as the ALA's education consultant. Through his work as an architect and lighting designer in and around Lexington, Ky., Rey-Barreau has had the opportunity to really put them to the test.

Among the trends he is seeing: In the bathroom, people are moving away from the hot globe lights that used to frame the mirror and instead putting in decorative glass shades that conceal fluorescent bulbs or tubes. "Throughout the rest of the house, there's a trend towards modern, sleek well-designed fixtures with chrome and nickel finishes that no longer show off the bulb. LEDs and fluorescents are now being hidden inside decorative tubes within the fixtures," says Rey-Barreau.

Fluorescents are becoming the bulb of choice for general room lighting too. And, because they last so long, LEDs are especially popular for lighting needs in hard to reach areas, like for step lights and outdoor landscaping lights. They're also being used under cabinets, inside cabinets and for task lighting.

McGowan points out that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy estimate that if every household in the U.S. replaced just five of its incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving designs the reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases would be equal to removing 8 million cars from the road and the reduction in electricity would be equal to the output of more than 21 power plants.

"Bottom line: switching to fluorescents and LEDs is not only good for the environment, but for our wallets as well. They are definitely the future of lighting," says McGowan.

For more information about the latest trends in lighting, or to find a lighting store near you, log on to www.americanlightingassoc.com.