When selecting LED lighting, understanding lumens is key to achieving the right brightness. Unlike traditional bulbs, where wattage was commonly used to gauge brightness, LEDs are measured in lumens—a more accurate way to determine how much light a bulb emits. But how do you figure out how bright your LED lights should be?
What Are Lumens?
Lumens measure the total amount of visible light a bulb produces. The higher the lumens, the brighter the light. For example, a 60-watt incandescent bulb typically produces around 800 lumens. In comparison, an LED with the same brightness might only use 8–12 watts of energy.
How Bright Should Your LED Lights Be?
The ideal brightness varies depending on the space and its purpose:
- Living Rooms and Bedrooms: Opt for softer lighting between 1,500–3,000 lumens for the entire room. This helps create a cozy and relaxing atmosphere.
- Kitchens and Bathrooms: Brighter lighting is essential for visibility, especially for tasks like cooking or grooming. Kitchens may need 5,000–10,000 lumens, while bathrooms typically require 4,000–8,000 lumens.
- Home Offices or Workspaces: Task lighting should be bright enough to reduce eye strain. Brightness levels of 3,000–6,000 lumens are usually suitable.
- Hallways and Accent Lighting: Lower brightness levels work well here, typically 1,000–2,000 lumens, providing enough illumination without overpowering the space.
Other Considerations
When choosing LED lights, keep in mind the color temperature (warm, neutral, or cool light) to match the mood of your space. Dimmable LEDs are also a great option, allowing you to adjust the brightness throughout the day to suit your needs.
By focusing on lumens, you can ensure your LED lights are perfectly suited for your home, offering both functionality and comfort while saving energy.
This post was written by a professional at GlowbackLED. GlowbackLED has been the industry leading custom LED light power supply located in Miami, FL for years. They specialize in custom LED light panels for backlighting translucent stones, artwork, stained glass, and resin. They have been manufacturing robust lines of recess linear, surface linear, and pendant linear LED light fixtures (suspended or hanging). Proudly offering industry leading project management and support, Glowback is second to none! Their goal is to make your purchasing experience as simple and headache free as possible.
