Introduction:
Lighting is one of the essential parts of any space. It can be an office, home, or even our commercial place. Is there something like recommended lumens per square foot? Yes. We are serious. Lighting plays a prime role in setting the vibe of the area. And when you consider the recommended lumens per square foot, things improve.
Proper lighting plays a vital role in many ways. An individual’s mood, aesthetics, and productivity increase with illumination. But one thing that you have to understand is the amount of light. There are specific amounts of lumens that are perfect. It depends on many factors like size, intention, and the amount of light already present. In this blog, we will discuss all these aspects in detail.
In the beginning, we will discuss what lumens are. As we move, we will discuss the importance of having the right amount. We will also find the recommended lumens per square foot and how to calculate them. At last, we will talk about some of the most prominent FAQs people have about the recommended lumens.
What are Lumens?
Lumen describes the brightness (the amount or intensity) of light. Lumen is the count of the brightness of a light. It is the international unit of measurement of light. In scientific terms, a lumen is the measurement of luminous flux. It measures the amount of visible light emitted from a light source in a given time.
It is a standard scale for measuring brightness. Every light source, from fluorescent to LED, uses this scale. Hence, knowing recommended lumens per square foot is essential.
All this while, we have been measuring light with watts. Though correct, watt describes how much power a light source uses. It is a measure of energy. But, a lumen is the accurate measure of brightness. The light with a higher lumen will be brighter. Before lumens were standard, watts determined the power of a light source. Higher the watts, the higher the watt and brighter the bulb. Today, this calculation does not work. There are different kinds of lights in the market today. They have different energy needs. For instance, a LED bulb is energy-efficient compared to other bulbs of the same watt. It means that a LED uses less energy (watt) than its counterparts but gives more output. Watt cannot accurately measure brightness as bulbs are energy efficient. Hence, lumens are the correct measure to check the brightness of a light source.
Why do you need to have appropriate lumens for your space?
Lumens determine the amount of light needed to illuminate a space. Every space needs a different amount of lumens. Your lumen need depends on the size and intended use of the room.
But how do you determine how many lumens you need for an area? There are many factors that you should consider.
- The size of the space plays a vital role in determining the lumen need.
- What is the purpose of the room? What activity will take place there? Does the activity (cooking, sitting, or sleeping) need less or more light?
- The taste of the owner/occupant also matters since they will choose the light source as per their taste.
The lumen of the light source in your space is very crucial. It affects a lot of things. It would be best if you had appropriate lumens in your area.
- First, it controls the functionality and atmosphere of the area. If the space has few lumens, the lighting would be too dim, and adequate vision could be a hindrance. If there are too many lumens, the room will be too bright. It would make sitting in that area difficult for a long time.
- The amount of lumens also gives the right aesthetic touch to your place. For example, if you need to highlight something with lights, you should use a bright light. You can set the mood of the area with lights.
- Apart from functionality and vibe, they are essential for energy conservation. Using too many lumens for a compact space will lead to excessive energy consumption. It will also result in higher electricity costs. But if you use a bulb with too few lumens, you will have to use more light sources. It, too, will lead to more energy consumption and high electricity costs.
Hence, proper lumens ensure that the area is well-illuminated. The space is functional, energy-efficient, comfortable, and has the right vibe.
Recommended Lumens Per Square Foot For Different Rooms
Do you have a question about how many lumens per square foot you need? Do you know that there is a different need for intensity of light you need for various rooms? Yes. All the rooms in your place need an extra light setting. In this section, we will talk about this in detail. So, let us proceed.
1. Lumens Required Per Square Foot Of Living Room
The living room is among the most significant places when discussing a house. It is where we relax and spend most of our time. Also, you and your friends have fun in the living room. How many lumens for living rooms are ideal? The answer is 20-30 lumens. If you have a space of about 100 square feet, you will need 2000 to 3000 lumens.
2. Lumens Needed Per Square Foot Of Kitchen
The kitchen is where you spend the most time doing significant tasks. Cooking, cleaning, and other preparation need a good amount of light. The ideal lumens you will need for a kitchen is about 30-40 lumens. If we see as per 100 square feet, you will need 3000 to 4000 lumens.
3. Recommended Lumens Per Square Foot Of Bathroom
A person needs a good amount of lighting in the bathroom to ensure proper grooming and hygiene. You need light when getting ready in the morning or doing your skincare routine. Hence, the ideal lumens you need per foot in your bathroom range from 50 to 70. If you calculate this, it comes to 5000-7000 lumens.
4. Recommended Lumens Per Square Foot Of Bedroom
In our whole home, our bedroom is one place where we relax the most. It is a place where peace and calmness come to us. More brightness is not an ideal thing here. You need 10 to 20 lumens per foot in your bedroom. For example, if you have a bedroom of about 100 square feet, you need 1000 to 2000 lumens. Hence, it would help if you had the lumens in that amount.
5. How Many Lumens To Light A Room At Workplace
For enhanced productivity and work, you need an ample amount of lighting. Offices and workplaces demand 50 to 75 lumens per foot. For an office of about 100 square feet, you will need 5000 to 7500 lumens. It will bring enough positivity and productivity to your workplace.
Important FAQs About Recommended Lumens Per Square Foot For Your Space
How many lumens do I need for a room? I think you know everything you need about your space’s recommended lumens per square foot. But, some questions can come to your mind. The following section will ensure you get complete clarity on all your doubts.
-
How many lumens per sq ft are enough for a room?
Lumens per ft depend on many factors. These factors are the type of room, the purpose of the place, size, and many others. Hence, you have to understand room dynamics first. You can adjust and adapt the amount of light according to these dynamics. Thus, lumens per sq ft are subjective to your need.
-
Is it essential to pay attention to these numbers?
Many people believe that the number of lumens plays few roles. It is a wrong thing to consider. Most of us do not know that we must buy light considering the number of lumens. Most of us have this tendency to buy light in watts. It is not the correct approach. The next time you buy a lamp, consider the number of lumens needed for your room.
-
How many lumens per square foot do we need for different spaces?
The number of lumens you need for various areas depends on the room’s purpose. Hence, comes the question, how many lumens per square foot is essential? The following are the recommended numbers for each of your spaces:
Living room: 20-30 lumens per square foot
Dining room: 30-40 lumens per square foot
Kitchen: 30-40 lumens per square foot
Bathroom: 50-70 lumens per square foot
Lumens Per Room at Office: 50-75 lumens per square foot
Retail store: 50-100 lumens per square foot
Warehouse: 10-30 lumens per square foot
-
How can I do the calculation to find out the total lumens needed for my space?
You need to know two things to calculate the total required lumens for your space. First, you need to know the size of your room, and second, you need the recommended lumens per square foot. You need to multiply these two figures.
For instance, you would need 1,000-2,000 total lumens if you have a 10×10 foot living room.
-
Can I adjust the number of lumens other than what is in the recommendation?
Yes, adjusting lumens quality is fine as long as you are comfortable. It all depends on your preference. More lumens will create a brighter and harsher light. But, fewer lumens will bring in dim and low light.
Conclusion:
Knowing the recommended lumens per sf is essential. You can calculate lumens per sf and can lighten your area in the best manner. It tells us about the adequate light you need for your place. Thus, the above blog clarifies all your doubts and presents you with the right approach.
