Free tool
Get total lumens, the number of fixtures, a layered lighting plan and the right color temperature for any room.
How it works
We start from a target illuminance (lux, or foot-candles) for each room — for example about 100–150 lux of general light for living rooms and bedrooms, and 300 lux or more for kitchens and home offices — multiply by floor area and add allowance for real-world losses to get total lumens.
That total is then split into three layers — ambient, task and accent — so a room is never lit by ceiling lights alone. Color temperature and CRI suggestions follow the room’s use: warm 2700K for relaxing spaces, 3000K for kitchens and bathrooms, CRI 90+ everywhere.
More in our guide to layering light.
FAQ
As a rough guide, 10–20 lumens per square foot (about 100–200 per m²) of combined light, split between ambient, task and accent sources, and always on dimmers.
2700K for living rooms, bedrooms and dining; 3000K for kitchens, bathrooms and work areas. Keep one temperature per room so lamps and ceiling lights match.
Color Rendering Index measures how faithfully light shows colors. Choose CRI 90 or higher at home so wood, skin tones and paint look right.
Keep reading
To layer lighting in a room, combine four layers — ambient, task, accent and decorative — from at least three sources at different heights, all at a warm 2700K with CRI 90+ and on dimmers, instead of relying on one bright ceiling light.
Read storyA home office that works for eight hours and looks composed on camera: a desk at 28–30 in (71–76 cm), the monitor an arm's length away, 500 lux on the desk, office colors in deep matte tones such as ink or olive, hidden storage and soft surfaces that tame echo.
Read storyDining room colors for 2027 are deep and enveloping: oxblood, burgundy, aubergine and chocolate, often drenched over walls, trim and ceiling. Pair them with round or oval tables, pendants hung 30–36 in (75–90 cm) above the top and banquette seating, using the sizing rules below.
Read storyThe Trend Letter
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