Lumen (Lm)
Lumens (Lm) are a simple way to measure how much light a bulb or light fixture produces.
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- The higher the number of lumens, the brighter the light is.
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- For example, a light with 800 lumens will produce more light than one with 400 Lumens.
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- When choosing a light, look at the lumens to understand how bright it will be.
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Watt (W)
Watts (W) measure how much energy a light bulb or a luminaire uses, or its power consumption. In simple terms, watts tell you how much electricity a light needs to operate.
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- A light with a higher wattage generally uses more energy while a lower wattage light uses less.
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- However, Watts do not tell you how bright a light is, for brightness, you should look at lumens.
Lux (Lx)
Lux (Lx) measures how much light actually reaches a surface or area. In simple terms, it tells you how well lit a surface is.
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- The higher the lux, the more light is falling on a surface.
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- For example, a desk used for reading or working needs more lux than a hallway, where softer lighting is usually enough.
Kelvin (K)
Kelvins (K) measures the colour of light, from warm to cool. In simple terms, they tell you whether a light will look warm and yellow or cool and white/ blue.
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- Lower Kelvin values create a warmer, more cosy atmosphere, while higher Kelvin values produce a cooler, more energetic light.
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- For example, 2700K gives a warm, cosy glow, while 4000K provides a cooler, more natural light.
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The Three levels of lighting
Ambient lighting -> provides the general, overall light in a room. It is the main source of illumination that allows you to see and move around comfortably. Ceiling lights, chandaliers and recessed lights and common examples.
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Task lighting ->provides focused light for specific activities such as reading, cooking, studying or working. Desk lamps, under- cabinet lights, and reading lights are examples of task lighting
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Accent lighting -> is used to highlight specific features and add atmosphere to a space. It can draw attention to artwork, architectural details, plants, or decorative objects. Spotlights, wall lights, and LED strips can be used as accent lighting.
Architectural and Decorative Lighting
Architectural lighting is lighting that is designed to integrate with and enchance the architecture of a spece. Its main purpose is to provide functional light while highlighting the shape, structure and features of building a room. Examples include recessed spotlights, linear LED lighting, wall washers, and concealed LED strips.
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Decorative lighting is lighting that is designed to add style, personality, and visual interest to a space. The light fixture itself becomes part of the decor. Examples include chandaliers, pendant lights, decorative wall lights, and statement lamps
Colour Rendering Index (CRI)
CRI measures how accurately a light source shows the true colors of object scompared with natural daylight.
It measures on a scale from 0 to 100. The higher the CRI, the more natural and accurate colors will look under the light.
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For example, a light with CRI 90+ will make colors appear much more vibrant and true to life, while a lower CRI will make colours look dull or slightly distorted
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For residential lighting, we reccomend choosing a CRI of 80 or higher. For the most natural and vibrant colours, look for CRI 90+, which provides excellent colour rendering and creates a more comfortable and visually pleasing atmosphere.
Other Important Terms
Direct v Indirect lighting:
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Direct lighting: Direct lighting shines light onto a specific area or surface. It provides focused and effective illumination, making it deal for tasks such as reading, cooking or working.
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Indirect lighting: Indirect lighting directs light towards a wall, ceiligh or other surface, allowing the light to reflect and spread softly throughout the space. It creates a more comfortable, subtle and relaxing atmosphere with fewer harsh shadows.
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In simple terms:
💡Direct = Light goes directly where you need it.
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✨ Indirect = Light bounces off a surface to create softer glow.
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Beam Angle
Beam Angle refers to the width of the light beam produced by a light source. It tells you how widely the light spreads across a space.
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A narrow beam angle creates a focused, concentrated beam of light, making it ideal for highlighting specific objects or areas.
A wide beam angle spreads the light over a larger area, making it better for general illumination.
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For example, a 15°beam angle produces a narrow, focused beam, while a 60° beam angle creates a much wider spread of light.
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
1. The ''Runway'' Syndrome -> Placing too many recessed spotlights in a straight line across the ceiling without a specific purpose. This can make a ceiling look like a ''runway'' and create a cold, uninviting atmosphere.
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2. Relying on a single Light Source
Using only the central light fixture in the middle of the room can create shadows in the corners and make the space feel smaller and less inviting.
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3. Using the Wrong Kelvin Temperature in the same Room: Avoid mixing 3000k (warm) and 6000k (cool) light sources within the same visual space. The contrast can be visually confusing and create a lack of harmony in the overall lighting design.