What is enough light? Before you begin to measure the lumens you need for your home, you may want to know what, exactly, is a lumen. Lumens measure the total amount of visible light from a light source. The higher the lumen rating, the brighter the light will appear.

Lumens vs. Watts

You may be thinking, wait, what about wattage? Although we are used to thinking of wattage as a way to determine brightness, it is a way to measure power while lumens measure the light emitted. However, there is a relationship between lumens and watts. Put another way, a certain amount of watts will produce a certain amount of brightness.

How to Measure Lumens

To get the correct amount of lumens for your LED lights, multiply the square footage of your room by the recommended amount of lumens below:

• Living room – 15 lm
• Dining room – 35 lm
• Bedroom – 15 lm
• Bathroom – 15 lm
• Kitchen – 35 lm
• Kitchen task – 75 lm
• Hallway – 10 lm

Let’s consider a 20 ft by 30 ft living room (20 ft x 30 ft) x 15 lm = 9000 lumens. This means one ceiling fixture that gives off 8000 lm, two table lamps that give off 400 lm each, and one floor lamp that gives off 200 lm. Of course, your room doesn’t have to be exactly that, as long as your lighting adds up to 9000 lumens.

Choosing the Bulbs to Light Your Home

Lumens are quickly becoming a preferred way of measuring lightbulbs. This is because there are many more types of light bulbs available, and they have become more efficient overall. You used to be able to use watts as a standard for measuring brightness since a 60-watt bulb would always emit a certain amount of light, and a 100-watt bulb would be brighter, and so on.

These days that is no longer the case. LED Ceiling Lights, fluorescents, and efficient incandescents all have different levels of wattage, and wattage is no longer an indicator of brightness.

Wells 45 Inch 15 Light Chandelier by Hinkley Lighting

Authentic, vintage lighting with an industrial feel, the Wells 45 Inch 15 Light Chandelier by Hinkley Lighting gives off a comforting glow. The wide band of solid weathered brass makes it a striking centerpiece to any space. The tapered candle sleeves reach up at staggered heights to create an authentic old-world aesthetic.

This beautiful chandelier flows ambient light throughout this living room, while the Arti 18 Inch Wall Sconce by Hinkley Lighting highlights works of art and create layered lighting in the space. Plenty of natural light floods the area during the day, while LED along the walls bring in more light in the evenings.

Aerin Jacqueline 32 Inch 12 Light Chandelier by Visual Comfort and Co.

Perfect for lighting a dining room, the Aerin Jacqueline 32 Inch 12 Light Chandelier by Visual Comfort and Co. sheds gentle light throughout the dining room. It sets the mood and draws the eye into the center of the room. Bouncing light off the ceiling also brings the eye upward. Look for dining room lighting that gives off about 1,5000-3,000 lumens, depending on the size of your dining room.

Two accent lights on the sideboard add practical lighting and style, reflecting light from the mirror and into the room.

Calypso 30 Inch 6 Light Chandelier by Crystorama

Perfect for modern elegant bedroom lighting, the Calypso 30 Inch 6 Light Chandelier by Crystorama features the sparkle of blown glass paired with the gleam of vibrant gold. Sleek and contemporary, this chandelier is adorned with cascading crystal clear smooth glass balls and teardrops that reflect the light, making it perfect for bedrooms that need a little extra glamour.

The table lamp augments the ambient lighting and provides light for reading and other tasks on its own.

Inca 15 Inch 7 Light LED Flush Mount by ET2 Lighting

Legendary meets contemporary in the Inca 15 Inch 7 Light LED Flush Mount by ET2 lighting. Bringing to mind the mythical tall tales of Incan treasures, this light fixture features brilliantly shining crystal enclosed within a precision laser-cut sheath that cannot be duplicated.

The glow of the LED light from within casts a beautifully radiant shine that adorns the outer permeable layer. It sheds soft ambient light throughout the bathroom, while LED puck lighting adds task lighting over the vanity, right where it is needed.

Rubix 5 Inch Tall 1 Light LED Outdoor Wall Light by WAC Lighting

Lumens for outdoor spaces depends on where you are placing your light. The Rubix 5 Inch Tall 1 Light LED Outdoor Wall Light by WAC Lighting can be used in a variety of outdoor lighting applications. Designed with an oblong profile, the light can be mounted upwards or downwards, depending on where you want to aim the light.

If you are looking to layer your space in the perfect amount of light, let our lighting specialists guide you to the best solution for the lighting needs of your home. Consultations are provided via our online lighting team or stop by the Capitol Lighting showroom near you.