Confused and lost in the world of electrical jargon? Don’t panic! Some terms are indeed complicated to understand and use. That’s why we decided to explain in more detail the meaning of the word « lumen. »
To begin with, the lumen (lm) refers to luminous flux. It is a unit of light power that indicates how much useful light is emitted by a bulb or lamp. It’s quite simple! The lumen answers the frequently asked question: « How bright is it and how much light does it produce? » This unit allows you to quantify the amount of light you perceive. Discover how many lumens are needed to light your rooms and the equivalences of this measure.
After a long time of relying on Watts, lumen has become the new criterion for choosing energy-efficient bulbs based on the desired light intensity. This measure is quite easy to understand, but often more difficult to apply. It’s true that the number of lumens differs depending on the room in your home. Each room requires specific lighting tailored to its environment.
Let’s start with bedside lamps… These lights, placed near your bed for nighttime reading or moments of relaxation, don’t require a large number of lumens. For a cozy and relaxing atmosphere, bedside lamps typically emit between 400 and 800 lumens.
How to optimally light your workspace? The light intensity of desk lamps needs to be carefully considered. Proper lighting offers better concentration and creates conditions conducive to quality work. Desk lamps typically emit between 450 and 900 lumens, providing the ideal workspace lighting.
Your entrance or hallways also need to be well-lit. These spaces bring warmth and greatly contribute to your home’s décor and atmosphere. They are often illuminated by discreet and elegant lights. Generally, these areas are lit by fixtures that emit between 600 and 850 lumens.
Your bedroom… Your intimate, relaxing space! Often illuminated by beautiful fixtures, your bedroom reflects your personality and should be effectively lit. Whether you choose pendants, wall lights, or a floor lamp, your room should be illuminated by lighting that emits between 850 and 1200 lumens. Choose the ambiance that best suits your desires. For a cozy, relaxing atmosphere, opt for 850 to 1000 lumens. For a brighter, whiter atmosphere, select bulbs emitting between 1000 and 1200 lumens.
Tired of a bathroom that’s either too dim or too bright? Here’s the secret! Bathrooms, often isolated and without natural light, require significant lighting. Whether large or small, they need lighting capable of illuminating your mirror, shower, and getting-ready moments. To achieve quality lighting, your fixtures should emit between 1500 and 3000 lumens depending on the space. Don’t hesitate to brighten up your bathroom with multiple wall lights or spotlights!
For large rooms in your home such as the living room, kitchen, or dining room, the light intensity needs to be substantial. These are generally your shared spaces, places for relaxation, meals, and more. Sometimes lit by multiple lamps, these rooms should emit a total of between 1200 and 2000 lumens. Again, the light intensity varies depending on the space to be lit but also the ambiance and atmosphere you want to create in your rooms.
Lastly, let’s get a bit more technical… If you’re more familiar with Watts, don’t hesitate to use them to find the necessary number of lumens for your lighting. Keep in mind that 1 Watt is approximately equivalent to 10 lumens. Therefore, to find the appropriate number of lumens, simply multiply the number of watts by 10.
Above, a chart showing the equivalence between Watts and Lumens. A handy reference to make your daily life and lighting purchases easier…
Feel free to check out our « technical » articles for a better understanding:
- Protection Rating – IP: How to decipher outdoor or damp room lighting standards
- Lumens
- Kelvins
- LEDs and Watt LED Equivalents
- Dimming and Dimmable Lights
- Electrical Transformers
- Color Rendering
For more information, don’t hesitate to contact us.
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