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A well-lit outdoor is important for safety and aesthetics. It reduces accidents and allows for surveillance to alert you of any unusual activities. Outdoor lighting also creates a warm atmosphere for outdoor activities and if placed strategically, it can highlight your home’s architectural features.
People used to compare wattage for these reasons. However, the lumen is more of an accurate measurement for outdoor lighting’s purpose. Yes, choosing the right lumen to match the lighting needs, can be confusing for non-technical users. So, in this post, I’m sharing details on how to choose the right lumens for outdoor lights.
Lumen measures light brightness. Avoiding all the technical explanations, it is the total amount of visible light released by a source.
Lumens measure a light bulb’s brightness or illumination capabilities more accurately. Choosing the right number makes sure the light is serving the task. A low lumen causes under-illumination. It leads to:
On the other hand, overly illuminated lights cause:
Proper lighting is linked to positive moods and improved productivity too. So, choose the right lumen for a perfect blend of form and function.
Lumens measure brightness. On the other hand, watt is the measurement of energy consumption. People often used to rely on watt readings for brightness assumptions. While a bulb consuming more energy generally shines brighter, this is always not the case.
Some modern lighting technologies, especially LEDs, have very high energy efficiency. They consume little energy. But the lights can get very bright. In other words, a low-watt but high-lumen situation. Some poor technologies can consume more energy but can’t be as bright.
A user should focus more on lumens if brightness is the priority. And, focus on low wattage if efficiency is the priority.
So, what lumen reading should you choose? There are several factors to consider:
Excessive lighting can be as detrimental as insufficient lighting. Put some thought into it before purchasing your next fixture for your outdoors and even indoors.
We have already mentioned the purpose and placements are important to select the right lumen for outdoor lighting. While it can be unique for different areas and architectural settings, here is a guideline to start:
This is a simplified guideline. Specific lighting needs may vary depending on your unique outdoor space. Experiment with the numbers if you prefer darker or brighter lights for your space.
Different fixtures come with different lumen ranges:
Besides following the above-mentioned factors, here are some tips you should follow:
Getting the right lumens for your outdoor lighting is all about balance. It should be enough to illuminate your space safely and beautifully without overwhelming the ambiance.
Understanding lumens will help you make smarter choices regardless of the area you are lighting. Take the time to assess your needs and test different options. Remember, good lighting transforms not just your space, but how you experience it.
As principal at Maison Rose Interiors, Rose instills a bit of natural Canadian warmth where she was born and raised, and coastal California where she now lives. Rose’s culturally diverse background and travels abroad are seen in all her objects and ever evolving style. No matter what the style she is asked to create, each space designed by Rose is refined, collected, and unique.
