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Combien de lumens pour bien éclairer un salon, une cuisine ou une chambre ?

How many lumens to properly light a living room, kitchen or bedroom ?

Introduction

You wonder how many lumens are necessary for light your house properly ?
That's an excellent question: the right lighting completely transforms the atmosphere of a room. Too dim, it strains the eyes; too bright, it disrupts the warmth and visual comfort.

In this article, discover The complete guide to choosing the right number of lumens depending on each room in your home: living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom…
👉 We also give you our practical tips from the pros to optimize the atmosphere and reduce your energy consumption.

💡 What is a lumen? (and why is it more important than watts?)

THE lumen (lm) measures the amount of light emitted by a light bulb, that is to say its actual brightness.
For a long time, people relied on watts (W), but these only measure electricity consumption.

👉 A 10W LED bulb can produce that much light (in lumens) than a 60W halogen bulb.
That's why the lumen is today the reference for choosing a high-performance light bulb.

💬 In summary:
Watts = energy consumption
Lumens = light intensity

🏠 Summary table: how many lumens per m² depending on the room?

Piece Recommended lumens per m² Example of atmosphere Recommended type of light
Living room 100 to 150 lm/m² Warm, adaptable 2700–3000 K (warm white)
Kitchen 300 to 500 lm/m² Functional, precise 3500–4000 K (neutral white)
Bedroom 100 to 200 lm/m² Relaxation, comfort 2700 K (warm white)
Bathroom 300 to 400 lm/m² Bright, safe 4000–5000 K (cool white)
Desk 400 to 500 lm/m² Concentration 4000 K (neutral white)
Corridor 100 to 200 lm/m² Gentle traffic 2700–3000 K

👉 To find out the total amount to expect:
Surface area (in m²) × Lumens/m² = Lumens required
Example: a living room of 20 m² x 150 lm = 3000 lumens in total.

🛋️ 1. How many lumens are needed to properly light a living room?

THE living room is a multi-functional room: reading, relaxation, entertaining, television...
We recommend a base of approximately 100 to 150 lumens/m²with a light warm and adjustable.

Our advice:

  • Combine general lighting (ceiling light, pendant light) + mood lamps.

  • Use dimmable light bulbs to adjust the brightness according to the time of day.

  • Avoid overly white lights: they "break" the warmth of the living room.

🛒 Our product recommendations:
Rattan pendant lights, dimmable LED floor lamps, decorative string lights

🍳 2. How many lumens are needed to properly light a kitchen?

There kitchen request functional and homogeneous light, especially in preparation areas (worktop, sink).
Count 300 to 500 lumens/m², or 6,000 to 10,000 lumens for a 20 m² kitchen.

Our advice:

  • Install LED recessed spotlights or light strips under the furniture.

  • Prefer a color temperature between 3500 K and 4000 K for a faithful rendering of food.

  • Opt for high color rendering index (CRI) light bulbs &> 80).

🛒 Our suggestions:
Adjustable LED spotlights, magnetic tracks, designer ceiling lights

🛏️ 3. How many lumens are needed to properly light a room?

In a bedroomThe light should invite relaxation.
Too high an intensity disrupts sleep and the cozy atmosphere.
👉 Count 100 to 200 lumens/m², which is approximately 2,000 to 3,000 lumens for 15 m².

Our advice:

  • Multiply the indirect light sources : bedside lamps, wall lights, LED strips.

  • Avoid cold lighting: opt for warm white (2700 K).

  • Install a dimmer to soften the atmosphere in the evening.

🛒 Our decorating ideas:
Wooden lamps, fabric lampshades, adjustable wall lights

🚿 4. And what about the bathroom?

There bathroom requires sufficient light to prepare without bothersome shadows.
Opt for 300 to 400 lumens/m²with lighting cool white (4000 to 5000 K).

Our advice:

  • Opt for IP44 or IP65 wall lights (moisture resistant).

  • Complete the look with a lighted mirror for a perfect finish.

🛒 Our selections:
IP44 wall lights, waterproof recessed spotlights, LED mirrors

🌿 5. Pro tip: play with layers of light

Successful lighting relies on 3 light levels :

  1. General lighting → illuminates the whole room

  2. Functional lighting → specific areas (work surface, desk)

  3. Ambient lighting → creates warmth and style

Mixing these three layers allows you to obtain a balanced, aesthetic and comfortable lighting.

⚡ Bonus: How to calculate your lumens based on your light bulbs

Light bulb type Approximate lumens Equivalent power
5W LED 400–500 lm ≈ 40 W halogen
10W LED 900–1000 lm ≈ 75 W halogen
15W LED 1400–1600 lm ≈ 100 W halogen
20W LED 1800–2000 lm ≈ 150 W halogen

💬 For a living room of 20 m²you will need approximately 3000 lumens, either 3 x 10W LED bulbs Or 2 powerful ceiling lights of 1500 lm each.

🌙 Conclusion

Choosing the right number of lumens means finding the balance between efficiency and visual comfort.
Each room has its specific needs, but the golden rule remains the same: prioritize the quality and warmth of the light.

💡 Final tip: If you're unsure, go for a slightly brighter light with a dimmer: it's better to be able to reduce the brightness than to lack it.

How many lumens?

  • home lighting

  • lumens living room

  • kitchen lumens

  • LED bulb power

  • color temperature 2700K 4000K