An expert lighting guide to calculating lumens, balancing mood and function in different room types, and layering lighting.
We all know how important it is to have the right level of lighting to create beautiful interiors, but you also need to be pragmatic. The exact amount of light you need in a room depends on a number of factors, including the size of the room, how it’s used and the type of atmosphere you’re looking to create.
This guide explains how to get the right amount of light in a room , from how many lumens you need in a particular space to combining different types of lighting to create the perfect ambiance.
How many lumens do you need?
Today's energy-efficient LED bulbs are measured in lumens (lm), with the number of lumens indicating how bright the bulb is. (Lumens are a more accurate way to measure the quality of light, compared to the older measurement of watts, which refers to the amount of energy a bulb uses.)
To find out how many lumens you will need in a room, first multiply the length and width of the room to get the square footage, so a 10 x 10 foot room has a total area of 100 square feet.
Next, you need to calculate how many lumens you need per square meter. This number depends on each room and its use.
Typically, a living room or bedroom requires around 10 to 20 lumens per square meter , while a bathroom or kitchen requires a higher level of lighting, around 70 to 80 lumens per square meter.
To calculate how many lumens you need, simply multiply the square footage of the room by that number. So, our 100-square-foot living room, with its 10- to 20-foot candles, will need about 1,000 to 2,000 lumens total.
That’s the science part. However, this formula only gives you an idea of the basic level of light required in a room. As we’ll see, there’s more to room lighting than just lumens!
What is the best way to light a room?
Besides the size of the room and the base lumen level, it is important to think about the different uses of the room.
Rooms like the kitchen or living room are often multi-purpose spaces. You can combine different types of lighting to meet these needs, whether it’s brighter, more focused light for specific tasks, like cooking, or lower, ambient light for relaxing and entertaining. This is called ‘ layering ’ your lighting.
There are three main types of lighting:
- Direct lighting.
- Mood lighting.
- Accent lighting.
Direct lighting
Allows you to perform specific tasks such as reading, sewing, cutting vegetables or working at a desk, and requires a higher number of lumens than other forms of lighting. For a task such as reading, you will need at least 450 lumens.
Mood lighting
Refers to the general level of light in a room, including the main light (such as a pendant lamp) and any other lights that contribute to the general level of illumination, such as wall sconces, recessed lights, chandeliers or floor lamps.
Accent lighting
Helps draw attention to specific elements in a room, such as architectural features, ornaments, photos or artwork, and can include recessed lights, table lamps, uplighters or wall sconces. As a general rule, accent lighting should be about three times as powerful as ambient lighting.
By finding the right balance between task lighting, accent lighting and ambient lighting, you can create a whole range of different moods and effects .
How to light a bedroom?
When it comes to lighting the bedroom , you need to consider different needs: sleeping, reading, getting dressed, and watching TV. Again, it's essential to layer the light. In most bedrooms, the main source of ambient light comes from the ceiling light.
Placing a pendant lamp or chandelier above the bed, about 3 to 5 inches from the ceiling, can create a nice decorative focal point.
If you enjoy reading at night, our bedside lamps come in a wide range of styles, colours and materials. Choosing a bedside lamp with a shade will give you a soft, warm light that's perfect for bedtime (and won't disturb anyone who isn't a night owl).
For other practical tasks, such as getting dressed or applying makeup, you'll need targeted lighting from desk lamps, table lamps or low pendant lights.
You can then add accent lighting in different areas of the room, to create a calming and relaxing ambiance. Wall sconces, table lamps and floor lamps offer a softer and calmer alternative to main lighting.
Besides the light fixtures themselves, you also need to think about the mood or "color" of the bulbs you use.
Blue light and white light are known to increase alertness and prevent sleep, while warmer yellow lights are more relaxing, making them the ideal choice for a bedroom.
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