Selecting lighting fixtures for your home requires some background knowledge to get adequate light, proportion, and the best fixture type for your space.

How Much Light Do I Need in a Room?

The amount of light you need depends on the room size and the tasks performed.

For example, a bathroom or kitchen requires stronger light or more lumens than a bedroom or living room.

So, casual use areas may only require 10 to 20 lumens per square foot, as opposed to 70 to 80 in high-task areas.

What are Lumens, and How Do I Calculate Them?

Lumens, or light output, are defined as the total visible light to the human eye emitted from a source, like a beam or bulb. You may hear references such as candela or footcandle, from before electricity was a common light source.

So, one lumen is equal to the luminous intensity of one candela. A foot-candle is one lumen per square foot. Using this equation, to calculate the number of lumens needed, you multiply the room’s width by the length. The result is the total number of lumens required for the room.

For example, a 14x20 family room is 280 sq/ft, which requires roughly 15 lumens per sq/ft: 280 x 15 = 4200 lumens.

Now that you know how many lumens you need for each room, this number is divided between each fixture's lightbulbs.

Buying the Right Lightbulbs

In today’s terms, lumens equal the output of a bulb, and the higher the wattage, the brighter the bulb.

For example, a 40-watt bulb is 400 lumens, 60-watt equals 600 lumens, and so on. So, if you need 4200 lumens and use 60-watt bulbs, you’ll need seven light bulbs between all the fixtures.

There are four main types of light bulbs, each with considerations:

1. Light-emitting Diode (LED) - LED light bulbs are long-lasting, up to 25,000 hours, with excellent energy efficiency. LEDs give off a white, more intense light.
2. Compact Fluorescent (CFL) - CFL light bulbs use contained gas to produce fluorescence, offering more light, and are commonly used in office or utility settings. They are four to six times more efficient than incandescent bulbs.
3. Incandescent - uses electricity to heat a wire filament until it glows, offering warm ambient light; however, they emit more heat than other bulbs and use more energy. They are often used in light fixtures, lamps, and accent lighting.
4. Halogen - uses halogen gas to produce light and lasts up to 2000 hours. Halogen bulbs are found in under-cabinet lighting, work lights, etc.

Now, you can choose the appropriate type and wattage for your space.

Light Fixture Placement in Your Room

Proportion is a key factor in selecting the right light fixture for the room. However, you can determine the appropriate light fixture size using your room size and furniture proportions.

For instance, a comfortable flat lighting-to-surface ratio, like kitchen islands or a dining room table, is two-thirds. The light fixture should be two-thirds the size of the surface. Depending on size, two or three pendants may be ideal for an island.

Ceiling height is also essential to the fixture size you choose. A light fixture typically sits three feet above the table for an eight-foot ceiling. However, add three inches per foot over the standard eight feet for higher ceilings.

Another hot tip is to balance your light fixtures throughout the room so light comes from several heights and sources. Pay special attention to hazard zones such as entrances and stairwells to ensure you have adequate light where people are more likely to trip or fall.

Working With Expert Lighting Stores

When shopping for lighting fixtures, you want style, quality, and reliability in both the product and the retailer, where you can trust the knowledgeable staff to guide you. Eurolite has been in business for over thirty-five years in Toronto, ON., offering a range of functional and feature lighting fixtures in every style.

Schedule your visit to their showroom online or by calling 416-203-1501 today!

Jenny Kennedy of Kennedy Literary Agency provides written copy and content for the design-build industry and is the author of “Launch Into Interior Design.”

Photo provided by Eurolite