By Meike van Dongen · Veem, Amsterdam · 7 August 2026
The rule
Multiply the room's floor area by the lumens per square metre for its function. That is all the light planning most homes need.
Reference table
| Room | Lumen per m² | Example: 20 m² |
|---|---|---|
| Living room (ambient) | 100-150 | 2,000-3,000 lm |
| Kitchen (worktop) | 300-400 | 6,000-8,000 lm |
| Bedroom | 100 | 2,000 lm |
| Home office | 250-350 | 5,000-7,000 lm |
Colour temperature in one line each
- 2700K - warm white: living room, bedroom, mood lighting.
- 3000K - neutral warm: kitchen, hallway.
- 4000K - cool white: workspace, garage. Not for the living room.
Practical note
Spread light over at least three sources per living room (floor lamp, table lamp, ceiling) instead of one bright fixture. Every lamp at Veem lists fitting (E14/E27), height and material on the product page.
