How bright should a room be?
The lighting value of an environment is the lux (lx), being lumen x square metre. This value can be measured or estimated using software with a lighting calculation, in which photometry is utilised to simulate the presence of light. For certain environments – such as public places, airports and workplaces – there are specific regulations in force that indicate the necessary illuminance value and how the light must be distributed. Yet, for most environments – especially those in the home – you can decide how much to illuminate the spaces based on their function. We recommend respecting the following values:
Bedroom: between 50 and 150 lux Corridors and passageways: between 100 and 150 lux Work and study areas: between 300 and 400 lux Kitchen: between 300 and 400 lux.
It is also a good idea to pay attention to how the light is distributed, to prevent contrasting in very bright places, creating areas of shadow in these environments, as well as ensuring that dedicated work areas have proper lighting.