Photographers use a light meter to take measurements before every shoot. Room planners and architects work in a similar way when creating a lighting plan. In this somewhat mathematical article, you can find out how you too can easily measure and calculate the best way to light your home.

The perfect light effect always depends on the degree of emission of the luminous flux. No matter which lamps and light source you choose for your home. The key figure is the lumen, which is calculated using the amount of light per unit of time. 

 

Lumen, lux and lamps

If a certain luminous intensity is emitted evenly across a room from a source, the total luminous flux emitted at this angle corresponds to the lumen. The figure depends on the area to be illuminated and the corresponding luminous intensity, which is called lux.

This results in the following formula for calculation: Lumen= Lux x square meter.

If you know the ideal light intensity and the size of the respective surfaces in your rooms, you can determine very precisely how many lumens you need for the perfect ambience and which lamps and light sources are suitable for each individual room.

 

Room utilization determines the number of lumens

When we get up, we switch on table lamps and in the bathroom, wall lights gently open our eyes. In the kitchen, fresh coffee is already waiting on the dining table, which is illuminated with a chic Pendant Lamp illuminated with a chic lamp. When we leave the house early in the morning, street lamps and garden lighting show us the way. The headlights on the car get us safely to work. When we return home in the evening, the cozy living room lighting is waiting for us, while a delicious dinner is being prepared on the well-lit work surface in the kitchen. Before we fall tiredly into bed, a pleasant reading lamp offers us a calming atmosphere for dreaming.

Lamps are enormously versatile and a perfect help when natural daylight disappears. We usually just switch them on and don't give a second thought to the interesting techniques and functions that make up a lamp.

You are probably also familiar with the common unit watt, which is indicated on every light bulb or luminaire. However, this is only an indicator of the light output, which essentially indicates the amount of current that flows through the lamp or that a light source requires. In the following article, we answer your questions on the subject of "lumens and lamps" so that you are not left in the dark when choosing your ideal lighting. 

 

Lumens and watts for lamps 

The ratio of lumens to watts refers to the efficiency of a light source and always depends on the type of lamp used. Light bulbs in Floor lamps, modern LEDs in chic ceiling spotlights, halogen lamps in pendant lamps or fluorescent lamps in chandeliers and wall lights have many different light intensities and, depending on the intended use, you need a different lumen value for each room or entrance and staircase area and, of course, for optimum outdoor lighting.

 

Example of the ratio of lumens to watts

If you need 450 lumens for a room, for example, the corresponding ratio to the wattage between the different lamps is as follows: For a desired lumen rating of 450, an incandescent lamp requires around 40 watts, a halogen lamp 29 watts, a fluorescent tube a maximum of 9 watts and an LED lamp 8 watts. 

Accordingly, the following values result for different rooms:

For rooms with 800 lumen you need:

Incandescent lamp = 60 W
Halogen lamps = 43 W
Fluorescent lamps = 14 W
LED = 13 W

 

For rooms that require 1100 lumens, you need:

Incandescent lamps = 75 W
Halogen lamps = 59 W
Fluorescent lamps = 19 W
LEDS = 17 W 

For rooms with 1600 lumens:

Incandescent lamps = 100 W
Halogen lamps = 72 W
Fluorescent lamps = 23 W
LEDS = 20 W

 

The best lighting for the living room, kitchen and bathroom 

When choosing your living room lamps, bedroom lamps, wall lights and pendant lights for the dining room, the light intensity should be set so that the lamps can fulfill their respective purpose. You certainly don't want bright light in the bedroom that prevents you from resting.

And of course it is important to you that you have enough light in the kitchen when cooking so that you can concentrate and work safely. In the living room, you spend cozy and relaxing moments with family and friends, and while you listen to your guests' conversations, the perfectly adjusted lighting in the front garden and on the terrace comes on as the sun goes down. Every part of your home is part of your daily life and you want to feel comfortable in every room.

 

High-quality lamps with the right lumens

You decide for yourself how brightly a room should be illuminated and can calculate the appropriate lumens using a very simple method:

 

First step: Length X width of the room

First measure the length and width of the room and multiply these values together to determine the number of square meters. For example, a room that is 5 meters long and 4 meters wide has an area of 20 square meters.

 

Second step: Light level

Now determine the light level of the area you want to illuminate. You can find the usual standard values for the optimum lighting level at your trusted lamp store and in the networks. The luminous flux is nothing other than the power of the light produced by a lamp, which is specified in lumens. A quality LED lamp, for example, produces at least 60 lumens and in some cases even 90-100 lumens.

 

The best lighting for every room

By calculating the size in lux (lumens per square meter), you can find the best lighting for every room regardless of the design of your favorite lamp. In BUYnBLUE's online lamp store, you can find modern and classic lighting that perfectly matches your interior and immerses your home in a wonderful flair. Every style and every element offers creative design options and leaves nothing to be desired. To ensure that your lamp shines with the optimum light intensity, there is an optimum level of lux for the various light sources.

Wall lights and ceiling lights in the entrance area

As soon as the door to your home opens, you and your guests can expect a first impression of your rooms. Wall lights, modern chandeliers or chic ceiling lamps with 50-150 lux are recommended to make them feel welcome and at home. They provide sufficient light and are not too bright. If it is already getting dark outside, a warm light source offers a warm welcome as soon as you enter the house.

 

Lamps in the bathroom are functional and provide relaxation

There are different requirements for lighting in the bathroom. On the one hand, you want to relax and unwind after a long bath, on the other hand, there should be sufficient light around the bathroom mirror so that you can, for example, shave without injury or apply make-up without any problems. In the bathroom, there are ceiling lights that cast a romantic light with 100-150 lux, as well as lamps for the mirror that shine optimally with 400 lux.

 

Bedroom lamps should create a calm atmosphere

If you fall into a cozy bed tired after a hard day or want to read something to relax, table lamps and modern pendant lamps or a Pendant Lamp with 50-150 lux provide just the right light. Your eyes and body are gently guided into the resting phase and you can fall asleep easily. When the alarm clock rings in the morning and you switch on your lamps, you can slowly get used to the pleasant light and start the day gently.

The right light is an absolute must in the kitchen

Frying, cooking, chopping, baking - the kitchen is a busy place from morning to night. Many families also have an eat-in kitchen and eat every meal there together. This makes optimum lighting all the more important to ensure that nobody cuts, burns or otherwise injures themselves.

Chic pendant lights often shine above the dining table and do not necessarily need to be set too bright. 50-150 lux is sufficient here. However, at least 200 lux is recommended above the stove or work surfaces to guarantee reliable and safe light intensity.

 

The children's room should not be too dark

When When the little ones withdraw and immerse themselves in their fantasy world, they need a place where they feel comfortable and safe. In children's rooms, too, beautiful pendant lights or modern Floor lamps with 100 lux are a great addition to child-friendly furnishings, guaranteeing safe play, attention and fun.

 

Office lamps for the home office

It's nice to be able to work from home and organize your own time for work and family. Of course, the best place for this is a separate area where you cannot be disturbed. Just like in many other offices, natural daylight is a perfect source of light for concentrated and productive work. However, in the early hours of the morning or especially in winter, the sun is not often visible and an optimum light source is required. Table lamps and ceiling lamps with 300-400 lux are recommended for office and PC work. For technical work where detail is important and tools are involved, even 400-500 lux should be planned for the lighting. The eyes need enough light to avoid visual damage and prevent accidents.

 

Lamps in the living room are used in different ways

In the BUYnBLUE online lamp store you will find various lamps for the living room. There are pendant lights for the dining table, chandeliers as a central light source in the room, table lamps for small lighting effects in the sofa area and also wall lights that provide discreet and elegant indirect lighting and a cozy ambience.

Depending on the mood and time of day, 50-150 lux is just the right level for relaxing and spending time together in this central room. In the dining area, 150 lux provides sufficient light for the culinary delights, while 50 lux is pleasant for reading and relaxed conversations.

At BUYnBLUE there is a suitable lamp for every part of your home, which you can equip with the right light source in your rooms.