Allow 100 to 150 lumens per m² in a living room, bedroom or dining room, 200 to 300 lumens per m² in a kitchen or bathroom, and 50 to 100 in a hallway. For a 20 m² living room, that makes 2,000 to 3,000 lumens in total, spread across several light fittings. These benchmarks apply to a room with light-coloured walls. The rest of this article explains how to adjust them, room by room, and how to read the lumens of a bulb.
Lumens, lux, watts: what is the difference?
- The lumen (lm) measures the amount of light a bulb gives out. This is the figure to compare.
- The lux measures the light that reaches a surface: 1 lux equals 1 lumen spread over 1 m².
- The watt (W) measures power consumption. With LEDs, it tells you almost nothing about brightness.
- The kelvin (K) measures the colour of the light, not its quantity.
Recommendations for each room are given in lux. Aiming for the same number of lumens per m² gives a good order of magnitude for a home. For the colour of the light, see our guide Which colour temperature to choose, room by room?
How many lumens per room?
| Room | Lumens per m² | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Living room | 100 to 150 | 20 m²: 2,000 to 3,000 lm |
| Bedroom | 100 to 150 | 12 m²: 1,200 to 1,800 lm |
| Dining room | 100 to 150 | 15 m²: 1,500 to 2,250 lm, including 800 to 1,200 lm above the table |
| Kitchen | 200 to 300 | 10 m²: 2,000 to 3,000 lm |
| Bathroom | 200 to 300 | 6 m²: 1,200 to 1,800 lm |
| Home office | 200 to 300, plus a task lamp | 9 m²: 1,800 to 2,700 lm |
| Hallway, entrance | 50 to 100 | 6 m²: 300 to 600 lm |
These figures are totals: add up the lumens of all the fittings that are switched on at the same time.
How do you calculate the lumens for your room?
The basic calculation
Multiply the floor area by the value in the table. A 3 × 4 m bedroom measures 12 m²: at 100 to 150 lm/m², you need 1,200 to 1,800 lumens. For a fitting with several bulbs, multiply the output of one bulb by the number of bulbs. With the Globéa pendant, each globe takes its own E27 bulb: in the 5-globe version, five 470 lm bulbs give 2,350 lm.
The adjustments to make
- Dark walls or floors: add 20 to 30%, because they absorb light instead of reflecting it.
- High ceiling: above 2.70 m, aim for the top of the range.
- Opaque shade: part of the light stays inside. Here too, aim for the top of the range.
- Age of the occupants: we need more light as we get older. After 60, plan for more light in reading areas.
Practical tip: before buying, list each fitting you have planned with the output of its bulb, then add them up. If you go over the range, install a dimmer: a strong light you can turn down is better than a weak light you have to put up with.
How many lumens for a living room?
For 20 m², 2,000 to 3,000 lumens, but never from a single point. Spread them across three to five sources, at different heights. The floor lamp often provides the largest share: the Dalaxia floor lamp (171 cm) comes with its E27 LED bulb of 16 to 20 W, in warm white 3,000 K or cool white 6,000 K. In the living room, choose warm white. Add table lamps and wall lights of 400 to 500 lm each.
We go through these combinations in detail in How to light a living room without a ceiling light. For your main source, browse our floor lamps.
How many lumens for a bedroom?
For 12 m², 1,200 to 1,800 lumens, with light you can dim in the evening.
- General lighting: a dimmable ceiling light covers most of it. The Lysane ceiling light (Ø 43 or 58 cm) adjusts from 10 to 100% and between three colour temperatures with its remote control.
- Reading in bed: 250 to 500 lm per bedside lamp is enough. The Shroomo lamp (Ø 32 cm) takes an E14 bulb of up to 15 W: a 470 lm LED works well.
- Evening atmosphere: switch off the ceiling light and keep the bedside lamps on. Less than 500 lm is enough for getting ready for bed.
For general lighting, see our ceiling lights.
How many lumens for a kitchen or a home office?
The kitchen
For 10 m², 2,000 to 3,000 lumens of general lighting, and above all light where you chop: at least 300 lumens per metre of worktop. Dimmable recessed spotlights such as the Kadro spotlights, available in 7, 10, 12 or 15 W, let you adjust each area. You will find them alongside the other models in our kitchen lighting.
The home office
On the desk, aim for 500 lux, the reference value for reading and writing. A desk lamp of 400 to 800 lm placed next to the screen, combined with general lighting of 200 to 300 lm/m², gets you there. Choose one from our lamps.
How do you convert watts into lumens?
European packaging shows the output in lumens and the equivalent incandescent bulb. Here are the official equivalents:
| Old bulb | Light output | Equivalent LED (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 25 W | 249 lm | 2 to 3 W |
| 40 W | 470 lm | 4 to 5 W |
| 60 W | 806 lm | 7 to 8 W |
| 75 W | 1,055 lm | 9 to 11 W |
| 100 W | 1,521 lm | 13 to 15 W |
On a fitting with an integrated LED, look for the output in the technical specifications. The Wabira pendant, for example, is rated at 1,275 lumens for 15 W: almost half of what a 20 m² living room needs.
Common mistakes
- Comparing watts. A 7 to 8 W LED gives as much light as an old 60 W bulb. Only lumens can be compared.
- Relying entirely on the ceiling. A single 3,000 lm ceiling light flattens the room and casts harsh shadows. Spread the light across several sources.
- Forgetting work areas. A worktop or a desk needs more light than the rest of the room. General lighting alone is not enough.
- Confusing lumens and colour. A cool light looks brighter but does not light any better. For more brightness, add lumens, not kelvins.
Frequently asked questions
How many lumens for a 10 m² room?
Between 1,000 and 1,500 lumens for a bedroom or a living room, 2,000 to 3,000 for a kitchen or a bathroom. Add 20 to 30% if the walls are dark.
Can you have too many lumens?
Yes: the room becomes glaring, especially in the evening. A dimmer solves the problem: you install enough output and turn it down depending on the time of day. Make sure both the fitting and the bulb are dimmable.
How many lumens for a bedside lamp?
250 to 500 lumens. Below that, reading strains the eyes; above it, the light disturbs the person sleeping next to you. A frosted bulb avoids glare.
Do the stated lumens take the shade into account?
No: the figure on the packaging is the output of the bare bulb. A thick fabric or metal shade holds some of it back. For a lamp with an opaque shade, choose a bulb one step up.
To remember: 100 to 150 lumens per m² in the living room and bedroom, 200 to 300 in the kitchen and bathroom, 50 to 100 in a hallway, and 500 lux on a desk. Compare lumens, not watts, and spread the light across several sources. To plan your lighting, browse our ceiling lights and our lamps.