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  • How Much Light for a Bedroom? Video Tutorial

    How Much Light for a Bedroom? Video Tutorial

    Transcript: How Much Light Will You Really Need for Your Bedroom Design?

    [00:00:00] Okay. So the first step is going to be figuring out how large the bedroom is that we’re going to be working with. So scrap that.

    How Much Light for a Bedroom_Project Examples from Allied8 & Miller Interior Design

    Okay. So I’ll round that down to three Oh nine. Okay. Three Oh nine. It’s the square footage. We’re going to come over to our calculator here. I’m going to go with dark finishes. It’s a bedroom. Uh, we’re probably going to. Make it a little bit more moody and dark in there. So first I’ll select bedroom. Uh, I say three Oh nine.

    How Much Light for a Bedroom_Room Square Footage Calculation

    So I’ll put in three Oh nine for the square footage. And then we do have pretty tall ceilings in here at 12 feet. [00:01:00] So that gives us our grand total of 2756. Lumens for the amount of lights that we’re going to need in this room. So paste that in there so we can refer back to this. Okay. So before I think about specific light fixtures for this room, I like to overlay it with any potential alignments or, uh, visual cues that we can take, uh, as a starting point.

    So, you know, probably we’re going to want to highlight this fireplace in the corner, uh, maybe there’s an opportunity for some artwork on this wall here, maybe we could get some picture lighting in there, uh, same thing over here. We’ve got this cozy seating area for reading. So maybe there’s going to be a [00:02:00] sconce for a reading lights.

    Um, so we can start to kind of fill that in and then just see where we’re at relative to our target here. So I’m going to go ahead, put in some picture lights on this wall.

    Let’s assume two, and then let’s. Have a light to celebrate this fireplace, which I’m sure we’re going to spend a lot of money on with some nice finishes. And then in the reading area, let’s assume that we’re going to have a sconce of some kind over here. Maybe it’s a table lamp. Maybe it’s a sconce at the wall that is on an arm so that we can have [00:03:00] some light for reading.

    I’m going to assume that that light is about 600 lumens. It’s

    going to be decorative. So I’ll need to check with the interior designer later so that we can narrow that down. Okay. Let’s plan on some pendant lights at these nightstands.

    And again, let’s assume 600 lumens.

    This is an opportunity, this wall here, maybe let’s, let’s see if we can do a [00:04:00] adjustable to highlight that wall. Maybe it’s centered on this door. All right, let’s, I’m curious where we’re at. Maybe I’ll add a couple more before we check. So probably a light here and a light here at the foot of the bed.

    Okay. All right. Let’s, let’s see where we’re at. And go back to our calculator, start to grab some lights,[00:05:00]

    find the picture light we’d like.

    Okay, let’s put this one.

    And then we need two adjustables.

    Maybe, yeah, maybe we do one of these instead of recessed. Grab this one. All right, let’s add all this up and see where we’re at.[00:06:00]

    So that puts us over quite a bit. So we’re at. 8, 380. Usually I don’t overshoot so much.

    Okay. So how bright is this? These are, these are pretty bright. [00:07:00] Maybe we just do adjustables and then maybe we can scale these back a bit. So it’s just Bedtime.

    Let’s see where we’re at now.[00:08:00]

    Okay, so, 5760.

    So, we’re still over a bit, but this does happen sometimes. So, it’s a large room, and if I were to limit The lighting to just one or two lights, um, to reduce the quantity of illumination. I wouldn’t be able to get the coverage that I need. So if I just had lights over here by the bed, there wouldn’t be enough over in the seating area.

    And we would be passing up on the opportunity to highlight some walls, which do need some additional illumination. So I feel comfortable that we’re over a bit. Um, But yeah, so this is the point then where I would go to the interior designer and we could talk [00:09:00] about what is this reading lamp actually look like.

    How Much Light for a Bedroom_Room Layout

    Maybe we do sconces, maybe we do pendants at these, uh. Uh, and the, the bed stand tables and kind of go from there. So as we are looking to finalize the lights, something to keep in mind is that we just want to make sure that all of our lights are dimmable because not all LEDs dim, and we want to make sure that those lights are UL listed for the country that we’re working in.

    And then finally, we want to make sure that. All the LED lights are a 90 CRI score. So color rendering is, um, at least 90 so that we’re bringing out the true color of the materials, uh, the woods, the artwork that we are placing in this room. All right, that’s it for now, and I’ll see you in the next [00:10:00] video. And the next video is going to be on bedrooms.

    How Much Light for a Bedroom_Color Rendering

    Table of contents

    Works Cited: Quality Bedroom Lighting​

    Duncan, Steve. “Why Is It Important to Do a Lighting Calculation?” Lighting Design Insights. [LightingJUMP.com, https://www.lightingjump.com/how-many-lights-forest-vibe]. 

    The author emphasizes the necessity of conducting lighting calculations to ensure effective lighting design in various spaces. He cites the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) for their established footcandle targets that help determine appropriate lighting levels. Duncan also mentions the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Department of Energy’s publicly available footcandle targets, which he uses for residential projects.

    He shares a personal anecdote about the complications that arise from inadequate lighting, stressing the importance of precise calculations to avoid costly adjustments and excessive spending. The lighting estimator featured on his webpage is designed to assist clients in achieving optimal lighting without overspending. 

    References – Quality Residential Lighting Design​

    Index – Quality Home Office Lighting

    How Much Light for a Home Office? Video Tutorial
  • How Much Light for a Home Office? Video Tutorial

    How Much Light for a Home Office? Video Tutorial

    Transcript: How Much Light Will You Really Need for Your Home Office Design?

    [00:00:00] All right, let’s design the lighting for a home office.

    How Much Light for a Home Office_Rendered Lighting Plan

    Okay, so the first thing we’re going to do is figure out the square footage of this office that we’re designing.

    How Much Light for a Home Office_Room Square Footage Calculation

    That’ll help us figure out how much light is needed. Okay. So I’ll round up to 163. So let’s go over to our calculator. I’m going to assume we’re doing medium finishes. Most projects of fall in that category. Some times we have, dark finishes, sometimes we have very bright and there’s these separate calculators for those, but for this project, we’re going to assume medium, that’s the most common condition.

    And then we’re going to put in home office. So our target is 20 foot candles. That is a metric that is established by the Illuminating [00:01:00] Engineering Society of North America and the Department of Energy. Next I’ll put in the square footage that we had, which was 163. Yeah, 163. And then we do have somewhat generous ceiling heights in here.

    Let’s put in 11 feet and that’s going to give us the answer for how many lumens of light we need to properly illuminate this space. So I’m going to screen snip this, so I have it for later. Let’s grab that from here. Alright. Now we have this so we can refer back to it. Okay, so before I start to think about where lights are gonna go, I like to look at the room itself and [00:02:00] see if there are any logical alignments that could give us a starting point for laying out the room. for example, centering on doors, centering on windows, thinking about maybe where artwork might occur, Is this vertical surface, this wall, is that an opportunity to light?

    Maybe this back wall is another opportunity. So I think we’ll start there and let’s assume maybe that there is some artwork over here and maybe there’s some artwork over here or maybe some low shelving for some books or cabinets. So let’s grab a picture light and assume that maybe we have two pieces of artwork on this north wall.

    And then, At this back wall, let’s assume that maybe we want to do some adjustable recessed lights to illuminate that, [00:03:00] backdrop that’s going to be back behind this desk. I’m assuming the desk would be in this general location and then the chair would be behind, just better feng shui, so that as you enter the room, the person at the desk can see you.

    How Much Light for a Home Office_Lighting Layout

    All right, so let’s grab some adjustable lights for that back wall.

    Maybe start there and line up with that. Okay.

    And maybe we do a third here. It’s right behind where the desk would be.

    And then I’m going to assume that maybe there’s a somewhat decorative table lamp that is also providing some task illumination on that, onto that desk surface as this person is working. I’m going to assume that [00:04:00] it’s. Between 600 and 800 lumens. Let’s assume 600. Okay. So let’s see where we’re at with our light target.

    We need to hit roughly 5, 300 lumens. let’s go back to the calculator and start to find some placeholders for our lighting. So first let’s go find a picture light. Okay. Let’s do this one

    back over here.

    The second one. Okay. And then let’s find some adjustable lights.

    We wanted [00:05:00] them recessed. So let’s do this one in the middle of the narrow flange.

    We’re going to have three of those.

    Okay. So where does that put us? So we’ve got three at seven 70 plus 600 plus.

    Okay. So that brings us to 4, 676 so far.

    So, we need another [00:06:00] lights. let’s plan on doing a light, maybe in the center of the room that’s pointing down onto this work surface. recessed.

    Maybe it’s right in that general area. If we have a computer monitor, it’s okay to have the, a recessed light directly above it. We don’t want to have one, right behind it, pointing at our screen from a glare standpoint. So I’m okay with, this light here. It’s going to be probably 800 to. 1000 lumens. Let’s go find one.

    All right.[00:07:00]

    So that’s a thousand, which means that we are now at 56, 76. So we’re a little bit over our target. And this is the part where I would have a meeting with the interior designer or the architect and homeowner to talk. Talk about maybe there’s certain aspects of this design that we’d like to change up. maybe we want this to be a decorative ceiling light instead of a recessed down light.

    Maybe we don’t want to do this table lamp. And so we can of mix and match from there. but we understand this is about how many lights we need in this room, in order to hit our light target to have a functional home office. All right. in general, I like to keep an open mind when I’m working with the [00:08:00] electrician and the GC.

    How Much Light for a Home Office_Color Rendering

    Sometimes they have suggestions for alternates. And the thing to keep in mind with that is just making sure that any lights we choose for the job are dimmable. They are UL listed for the country that we’re working in. And then also they have a color rendering score of at least 90. That way we bring out the true colors of all the materials that we’re spending all this money on, in our installation.

    All right. that’s it for now. And the next video is going to be on bedrooms.

    Works Cited: Quality Home Office Lighting​

    Duncan, Steve. “Why Is It Important to Do a Lighting Calculation?” Lighting Design Insights. [LightingJUMP.com, https://www.lightingjump.com/how-many-lights-forest-vibe]. 

    The author emphasizes the necessity of conducting lighting calculations to ensure effective lighting design in various spaces. He cites the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) for their established footcandle targets that help determine appropriate lighting levels. Duncan also mentions the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Department of Energy’s publicly available footcandle targets, which he uses for residential projects.

    He shares a personal anecdote about the complications that arise from inadequate lighting, stressing the importance of precise calculations to avoid costly adjustments and excessive spending. The lighting estimator featured on his webpage is designed to assist clients in achieving optimal lighting without overspending. 

    Ask a Lighting Designer How Much Light for a Home Office

    References – Quality Residential Lighting Design​

    Index – Quality Home Office Lighting

    Create the Best Designs: How Much Dining Room Light?
    Create the Best Designs With Quality Lighting: Gerrit Wabi Sabi
    Create the Best Designs With Quality Lighting: Lodes​
    Create the Best Designs With Quality Lighting: Cylinder Wall Sconce
  • How Much Light for a Kitchen? Video Tutorial

    How Much Light for a Kitchen? Video Tutorial

    How Much Light Will You Really Need for Your Dining Room Design?

    Transcript – How Much Kitchen Light?

    How Much Light for a Kitchen_Example from Allied8

     

    Step 1: Room Square Footage, Ceiling Height, Room Finishes

    [00:00:00] All right, let’s design the lighting for a kitchen today, right? The first step is I need to figure out the square footage of this room. Let’s grab that probably about down to there.

    Okay, 265. All right, so next we’re going to go over to our calculator. let’s assume that we’re going to do dark finishes for this room. So we’re going to use the last calculator.

    Link to our Free Lighting Estimator

    I’ll select kitchen 265. And then we do have some tall ceiling, tall- ish ceilings at 10. All right. So now we know how many lumens we need for this room. I’ll put this back over here.

    How Much Light for a Kitchen_Plan Alignments for Light Placement

    Step 2: Lighting Layout

    So I have it for reference. Okay. So what I’ve done with the floor plan is just done an overlay of possible alignments that we could take some cues from. Looks like the island is centered on this range and the hood. So there’s some nice symmetry happening there. Got this sink over here. Maybe that’s an opportunity to line some things up. Uh, I I plan on using some down lights to provide most of the illumination in this space, and I do like to locate those lights about 4 to 6 inches away from the leading edge of the base cabinets. This allows you to get some light down into those base cabinets while also not casting a shadow onto the [00:02:00] countertop where you’re working, if you’re kind of over and if you’re doing some cutting, so it just kind of helps address some shadow issues.

    How Much Light for a Kitchen_Lighting Layout Example Page 004

    A lot of people like to put lights in the middle here because it’s this. Symmetrical midpoints, but from a functional standpoint, I definitely like to keep the lights a little bit closer to the work surface itself. So that’s where we need the light. All right. So let’s start off by putting in some down lights.

    Probably have one in the corner here. Probably have one over here and then. I do want to illuminate this hood vent, the cooktop is going to get illumination from the hood itself with, some recessed lights, but I do want to let that focal point of the hood be something that we celebrate.

    So I’m going to grab this,[00:03:00] might do two or three, let’s do two.

    And then how far away are we? So let’s, let’s do about two feet away. Since the hood’s pretty high up on the wall, we do want the lights to be maybe a little closer than what I’m showing here.

    Alright, let’s keep going with these. Maybe it lines up with this counter.

    You know what, I think I’m going to go ahead. This is close. I’m just going to put these a little closer, and then a little closer together.

    And then, probably want to do a downlight here at the [00:04:00] sink. Lots of light there, continue to march along here.

    Let’s do one more on this side, base cabinet. Okay. So at the Island, a lot of folks like to do some kind of a decorative lighting elements. Just need to make sure we have enough lights. So, let’s make some assumptions. Let’s give it a shot. So let’s put some over here. I’m thinking maybe these aren’t pendants, maybe they’re close to the ceiling and have a decorative appearance, but they’re not hanging down and like in your sight line if you’re standing around the islands and hosting a party and you can’t see across it’s weird.

    So, I like to keep these lights closer to the ceiling, not really doing a pendant. It’s still something decorative. [00:05:00] Okay. So the alignments are getting there. It’s a little bit weird. Um, maybe we just do one here and then we scoot this over and then maybe These really read us their own thing.

    I don’t want it to look like we’re trying to line up with that.

    Step 3: Placeholder Lights

    Okay. So, let’s see how much light we’re working with here. So let’s go back to the calculator and find some placeholders. So, let’s do an adjustable for that hood. 770 lumens.

    [00:06:00] Then let’s go find a downlight. So that’s a thousand lumens.

    Okay, let’s see where we’re at. So we go, so eight, so that’s 8,000 lumens [00:07:00] for the downlights plus seven 70, so that’s 8,007 70. Let’s go back over here, see where we’re at. Okay, so I need another 4,000 lumens. I’m not, going to be able to do that with these decorative lights. That’s probably asking a little bit too much. So why don’t we plan on adding in some under cabinet lights? We’ve got these shelves here, kind of at the windows. So let’s do a few of these.[00:08:00]

    So that’s six of those. Let’s go find a, there we go. So let’s do a recessed cabinet light at 200 lumens. Okay.

    There’s six of those at 200. So, so that puts us at 9, 970.

    So that means that these [00:09:00] three decorative lights need to make up the difference.

    So that leaves about 2, 900, roughly 3, 000 to go. So that means that each of these decorative lights need to be about a thousand lumens each, which is still fairly bright.

    Step 4: Choose Decorative Lights

    So this is the part where I would then meet with the interior designer and the homeowner or architect to get a sense for aesthetically, what do we want for these three decorative lights over the islands? It just helps us to narrow down our options since there’s so many lights out there to just be able to reign it in and understand that [00:10:00] we need it to be about a thousand lumens each.

     All right. So that’s going back to our placeholder lights on the projects I work on. I start with these. I’d say about 50 percent of the time we stay with the light that I selected often the electrician or the GC or the homeowner has some opinions about lighting or they have a favorite light from a previous job that they really want to use.

    How Much Light for a Kitchen_Color Rendering Comparison of Two 2700K Lights

    And so then we just switch over to that. Just keep in mind that as you are looking for lights out there, Okay. That’s you find lights that are dimmable since, not all LEDs are dimmable and that the light is UL listed for the country that you’re working in. And then finally, make sure that you have a light with a good color rendering score.

    We want to target at least 90. That way we bring out the true color of the materials that we’re installing in our space.

    Step 5: Ask for a Peer Review of Your Lighting Design

    All right, that’s it for now. Give the calculator a shot. If you want me to double check your [00:11:00] work, I’m happy to do that. Send me a note through the website, and I will put a link to this in the YouTube description below.

    Works Cited: Quality Kitchen Lighting​

    Duncan, Steve. “Why Is It Important to Do a Lighting Calculation?” Lighting Design Insights. [LightingJUMP.com, https://www.lightingjump.com/how-many-lights-forest-vibe]. 

    The author emphasizes the necessity of conducting lighting calculations to ensure effective lighting design in various spaces. He cites the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) for their established footcandle targets that help determine appropriate lighting levels. Duncan also mentions the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Department of Energy’s publicly available footcandle targets, which he uses for residential projects.

    He shares a personal anecdote about the complications that arise from inadequate lighting, stressing the importance of precise calculations to avoid costly adjustments and excessive spending. The lighting estimator featured on his webpage is designed to assist clients in achieving optimal lighting without overspending. 

    References – Quality Residential Lighting Design​

    Index – Quality Kitchen Lighting

    Subscribe
    https://lightbycolor.com/how-much-living-room-light-video-tutorial/
    How Much Light for a Dining Room? Video Tutorial
  • How Much Light for a Dining Room? Video Tutorial

    How Much Light for a Dining Room? Video Tutorial

    How Much Light Will You Really Need for Your Dining Room Design?

    Transcript – How Much Dining Room Light?

    How Bright_Floorplans_Dining Room_Miller Interior Design Project Example

     [00:00:00] All right, let’s design the lighting for a dining room. So first step is going to be figuring out the square footage of this room. So let me grab that.

    How Bright_Floorplans_Dining Room Calculating the Square Footage

    Okay. So approximately 205. And then the next step is to come over to our calculator. Um, I’m going to plan on having some bright finishes in this dining room. So we’re going to go with this first calculator. Um, let’s change it to dining room. Oh, I already forgot how many, two Oh five. Okay. Two Oh five. And then we do have some taller ceilings here at 10 feet.

    Link to our Free Lighting Estimator

    So let’s grab a screen snip [00:01:00] this, go back to our plan.

    Alright, so I can have this a reference later. So that’s our target. So, the foot candle target is 20, and this is set by the illuminating engineering society of North America and the department of energy. And all right, let’s, let’s start. So I like to mark up the plan with some guidelines of.

    Alignments that we could take our cues from. So are there, um, appliances? These are under cabinet refrigerators here. Could we line up with the central lines of these windows? It does have a pretty clear, symmetry to it. So we know that the table is probably going to [00:02:00] be right there. Ish. So the first thing I like to do is see if there are any vertical surfaces in the room that we can light.

    How Bright_Floorplans_Lighting Layout for a Dining Room

    This is going to have a huge impact on how people perceive the space and how they perceive how bright it is. So let’s. I think in this case, let’s plan on lighting this wall here. So I’m going to grab some adjustable lights

    and I like to have these about 24 to 30 inches away from the wall surface. So let’s add a few more

    and then, okay. So next let’s take a look at. Lighting the dining table area itself. A lot of people like to rely exclusively on selecting a beautiful decorative pendant over the table. [00:03:00] But in many cases, this isn’t actually going to be bright enough to deliver the illumination we need to highlight the food and really kind of create this beacon within the space.

    That’s drawing you over there when it’s time to eat. So I do like to have. Decorative lights. And in this case, we do have a pretty clear symmetry, so we’re not going to have to worry about the lights being out of alignment with the table itself, but I do like to also add in some additional lights from either downlights or maybe some adjustable lights.

    I like to use these multi head adjustable lights so that you have a lot of freedom to illuminate the table itself.

    We don’t really want to light the chairs around the table because people don’t really like to sit in a spotlight. So the goal is really to just Aim the lighting onto that table [00:04:00] surface itself. All right, let’s, let’s see how we’re doing on our lumens. So I like to start off with kind of my go to lights.

    We start here and then, other people on the design team usually weigh in and we modify from there. So let’s grab these. Let’s see how we’re doing on our illumination, put that in

    one there. And then we have three of these accent lights going to go with the, he’s warmed in. I like the mud up trim for the flange list option. Let’s spring for that. And then we have to value engineer later. That’s fine. We have a lot of options. So that’s 900 lumens.[00:05:00]

    Alright, so we’re going to do three of those.

    Let’s see where we’re at. So that’s going to be

    2, 700 plus 2, 025 plus 2, 025 So that gives us 6, 750, so we are over a bit, which means that this pendant over the dining table could be fairly dim if we wanted, it could be just like a sparkly, beautiful element within the space. Um, But let, let’s just see, so if, if we took out, what if we did two pendants and only one of these in the center,[00:06:00]

    do that in the center, and then we’ll do two pendants to anchor this

     So, and then that means we have one less of these. All right. What’s, what’s the new number here.

    Okay. So all the lighting except for the pendants, that brings us to 47, 25. So if we subtract that from the 56, 95.

    So that means that each of these pendant lights is going to need to be, um, [00:07:00] 450. So we need a total of 900 from the pendants, so 450 and 450. So now I can go back to the interior designer or the homeowners, and we can do a search for beautiful decorative lighting out there, and we understand that it needs to be at least 450 lumens.

    All right. So hopefully that made sense. Give the calculator a shot, if you’d like me to double check your work, I’m happy to do that. And if you have other lights in mind for your project, just keep in mind that you want to make sure to, um, buy LEDs that have a high color rendering score, we want to make sure it’s at least 90.

    Color Rendering Comparison of 80 CRI vs 90 CRI

    That way we’re bringing out the true color of the materials in our space that we’re spending. Thousands of dollars to put in there. All right. That’s it for now. And, uh, the next video is going to be on kitchens [00:08:00] and I’ll put it, I’ll put the link to the calculator down in the YouTube description below.

    All right. Thanks.

    Works Cited: Quality Dining Room Lighting​

    Duncan, Steve. “Why Is It Important to Do a Lighting Calculation?” Lighting Design Insights. [LightingJUMP.com, https://www.lightingjump.com/how-many-lights-forest-vibe]. 

    The author emphasizes the necessity of conducting lighting calculations to ensure effective lighting design in various spaces. He cites the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) for their established footcandle targets that help determine appropriate lighting levels. Duncan also mentions the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Department of Energy’s publicly available footcandle targets, which he uses for residential projects.

    He shares a personal anecdote about the complications that arise from inadequate lighting, stressing the importance of precise calculations to avoid costly adjustments and excessive spending. The lighting estimator featured on his webpage is designed to assist clients in achieving optimal lighting without overspending. 

    References – Quality Residential Lighting Design​

    Index – Quality Dining Room Lighting

    Subscribe
    Create the Best Designs: How Much Dining Room Light?
    https://lightbycolor.com/how-much-living-room-light-video-tutorial/
  • How Much Light for a Living Room? Video Tutorial

    How Much Light for a Living Room? Video Tutorial

    How Much Light Will You Really Need for Your Living Room Design?

    Transcript:

     Alright, let’s design the lighting for a living room.

    Living Room Project Example from Miller Interior Design in Seattle

    Okay, so the first step we need to take is to figure out how large our living room is going to be.

    Okay, so I’ll round up to 338. Next we’re going to go to our calculator. And for this room, I think we’re going to do Medium finishes, which most projects kind of fall in that category where it’s kind of medium tones. It’s not too bright. It’s not too dark. Um, we’re already on living rooms. That’s great. How many square feet did I say?

    Three 38. Next I’m going to put in the ceiling heights 10 feet. So that increases the amount of light we need a little bit. Ok, bring this back to the plan.

    Calculating the living room square footage.

    Okay, so now I can refer back to this and keep in mind how many lumens we need. All right, so What I like to do before I really get into the lighting is to look at the floor plan and see if there’s any logical alignments, centering on window panes, centering on the fireplace, what kind of cues can we take from the space that will help us organize our lighting?

    Link to our Free Lighting Estimator

    So it looks like we do probably have two end tables here. So we’re going to put that in here. I don’t know what those are going to be yet, but a good estimate is that these are going to be about. 800 lumens. Next up, let’s let’s make sure to highlight this fireplace. I’m sure we’re going to spend some money on some nice finishes here.

    So let’s grab an adjustable light,

    which can be aimed up to, uh, highlight that surface. And then I suspect we’ll probably have some artwork above this sofa. So why not add a light that is centered with the other one? And then over the coffee table, let’s plan on searching for a decorative light that is cohesive with these table lamps.

    Alright, so let’s, let’s see where we’re at from a lumen perspective. Let’s go back to the calculator and find a placeholder for this adjustable light. So let’s do. I’m going to do, let’s do a warm dim and then let’s do this flange list option so that we can downplay this light. So 900 lumens. Let’s go back over here, paste that in.

    Okay. So, so far we have 800, 800, 900, 900. So 1600 plus, so

    that is 3, 400 lumens so far, which would mean. So let’s take a look at the difference there.

    Okay. So that would mean that this decorative light needs to be about 2, 000 lumens, 1, 800, 2, 000, right in that range. Um, if I wanted to give myself some extra freedom to choose whatever I want for that decorative light, maybe, maybe it could be a little bit less bright. And what we could do instead is add some additional lights here and here. So then that.

    Okay, so that basically would bring us to our total to where this decorative light could now be pretty dim. If we wanted, it could just be this beautiful, sparkling object, and we’re not limited in what we choose for that fixture. So, That kind of that gives maximum freedom to the interior designer and the homeowner with making their selections for that lights.

    Living Room Lighting Layout

    Now, if we go back to these placeholders over here, as a general rule, I’d like to start with these and then about 50 percent of the time, We do actually stay with these through to the end. But, for those, those other instances, usually there’s a, uh, engaged electrician or a GC, or maybe the homeowner has some specific ideas about lighting and they want to kind of swap that out.

    And so we go that direction instead. If you do want to go find your own lights, just keep in mind that you want to make sure that the lights are dimmable and that they are UL listed for the Country that you’re working in. And finally, make sure that you find a light with a high color rendering. So, that’ll bring out the true color of the materials in your space.

    So, in this image here, I have 2 lights. They’re both Warm white, 2700 Kelvin. But the one on the left has an inferior color rendering at 80. That’s a little bit closer to what you’d see with like a fluorescent light. And then the light on the right, that is kind of bringing out the, the reds and the warm tones in the wood because it has a higher color rendering score right at 90.

    Color Rendering Comparison of 80 CRI vs 90 CRI

    So that’s our target. Okay. Well, give the calculator a shot. And if you’d like me to double check your work, just send me a note through my website and, uh, have an awesome day. Next video is going to be on dining rooms.

    Works Cited: Quality Living Room Lighting​

    Duncan, Steve. “Why Is It Important to Do a Lighting Calculation?” Lighting Design Insights. [LightingJUMP.com, https://www.lightingjump.com/how-many-lights-forest-vibe]. 

    The author emphasizes the necessity of conducting lighting calculations to ensure effective lighting design in various spaces. He cites the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) for their established footcandle targets that help determine appropriate lighting levels. Duncan also mentions the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Department of Energy’s publicly available footcandle targets, which he uses for residential projects.

    He shares a personal anecdote about the complications that arise from inadequate lighting, stressing the importance of precise calculations to avoid costly adjustments and excessive spending. The lighting estimator featured on his webpage is designed to assist clients in achieving optimal lighting without overspending. 

    References – Quality Residential Lighting Design​

    Index – Quality Living Room Lighting

    Subscribe
    Create the Best Designs: How Much Dining Room Light?
  • WAC Multihead: Love the Light, But Is It Bright Enough?

    WAC Multihead: Love the Light, But Is It Bright Enough?

    How Many Lights Will You Really Need for Your Design? WAC Multihead Adjustable Light

    Let’s take the guesswork out of lighting so you can design with confidence! Ensuring the right amount of illumination is essential for both functionality and ambiance. The WACMultihead Adjustable light delivers an impressive 2235 lumens, but how many lights do you actually need for your space?

    To make sure your design is bright enough, use our lighting estimator below to calculate the ideal number of WAC lights based on your room’s size. Whether you’re working on a residential or commercial project, this tool helps you achieve the perfect lighting balance.

    Note: By using the lighting estimator below, you agree to the terms and conditions of this website.

    How Bright_WAC Silo Multi

    How Many Lights Will You Need? WAC Multihead Adjustable Light

    Best Residential Lights_WAC Silo Trimless

    How to Estimate How Many Lights You Will Need for Your Room

    • Step 1: Use the drop down button to select the Room Type.
    • Step 2: Fill in the square footage of your room.
    • Step 3: Use the drop down button to select your ceiling height.
    • Step 4: Use the drop down button to select how bright your room finishes will be (bright, medium, or dark).

    The calculator will automatically tell you how many lumens you need for your room, and weather you need additional lights.

    Reach out with questions if you’d like me to double check your work, before you purchase anything. If you are working on a building permit, or putting together a lighting budget, feel free to use my free lighting design guide here (excel format).

    WAC Multihead Adjustable Light: Need Additional Light?

    If you’ve used our calculator and are still wondering how many lights you need, consider supplementing your design with accent lighting. While the WAC Multihead Adjustable light provides stunning illumination, some spaces may require additional fixtures for optimal brightness and balance.

    Below, I’ve curated a list of go-to lighting options that I frequently use in projects with architects and developers. These fixtures are organized for quick comparison of cost, wattage, and aesthetics, ensuring you find the perfect complement to your WAC can light setup.

    Every light is UL-listed for safety and has a color rendering index (CRI) of 90+, guaranteeing high-quality illumination.

    Not sure if you need more lighting? Reach out with any questions—I’m happy to help fine-tune your design!

    — Steve Duncan, AIA

    Recessed Can Downlights

    Best Residential Lights_Feit LEDR56930CA

    Feit LEDR56/930CA

    $

    90 CRI – 3000K

    925 Lumens
    Best Residential Lights_Juno Gen2

    Juno Gen 2

    $$

    90 CRI – 3000K

    1000 Lumens
    Best Residential Lights_WAC Volta 2 Inch

    WAC Volta 2 Inch

    $$$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K

    1500 Lumens

    Recessed Wall Washer Lights

    Best Residential Lights_Feit Wall Washer Light

    Feit LEDR56SCP/930CA/SP

    $

    90 CRI – 3000K

    850 Lumens
    Best Residential Lights_WAC Lotos Recessed Wall Washer LED

    WAC Lotos

    $$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, 5000K

    795 Lumens

    WAC Volta 2 Inch Wall Washer

    $$$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K

    1500 Lumens

    Recessed Adjustable Accent Lights

    Feit RCS DWNLT ADJ

    $

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, 5000K

    850 Lumens

    Juno Gen2 ADJ 2LED TRIM

    $$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, 5000K

    600 Lumens
    Best Residential Lights_WAC Volta 2 Inch Adjustable

    WAC Volta 2″ Round Adjustable

    $$$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K

    1500 Lumens

    What Should You Look for in Quality Residential Lighting?

    Architect calculating how many lights are needed for her project if she uses foscarini spokes.

    When designing the perfect living space, one of the most impactful yet often overlooked elements is quality residential lighting. Whether you’re considering the WAC Multihead Adjustable can light or determining how many lights are needed for your space, the right lighting enhances ambiance, highlights decor, and improves functionality.

    In 2025, the best residential lighting solutions prioritize high color rendering (CRI 90+), energy efficiency, and sleek, versatile designs that suit a variety of interiors. As an architect and lighting designer, I’ve carefully selected the best lighting options to meet these high standards, ensuring that your space is not only well-lit but also beautifully illuminated.

    Whether you’re remodeling or designing a new home, choosing the right can light and determining how many lights you need will elevate your space and maximize its potential.

    WAC Multihead Adjustable Light: Quality Residential Lighting Criteria

    • UL Listed for Safety
    • Have a Color Rendering Index (CRI) of at least 90
    • Customer Rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars

    WAC Multihead Light: Why Is Color Rendering Important for Quality Residential Lighting?

    Regardless of the vibe you are going for, there are two things that can trip up designers when they are selecting LED lighting. The first, is color rendering. ​

    Color Rendering Index (CRI)

    If you only remember one thing from me, please remember that color rendering is EVERYTHING when it comes to lighting. If you love incandescent and halogen lights, but hate fluorescent, then color rendering is the reason.​

    We always want to find lights that have a color rendering (CRI) of at least 90, so that we can bring out the true color of our room finishes and decor. Many LED lights have a color rendering of 80, and this score is actually worse than fluorescent (which has a score of 82). As you can see in the image below, the true color of the wood is brought out with the light on the right, which has a score of 90. The red tones of the wood come through and it feels warm. In contrast, the light on the left makes the wood look a bit greenish and yellow, because it has a poor color rendering score of 80.​

    Color Rendering Comparison of two LEDs which are illuminating a wood furniture piece.

    Trust me! It’s worth it to spend just a little bit more on lights to make sure that you’re getting LEDs with a score of 90 or higher, so that the people and finishes in your spaces feel vibrant and full of life. Make sure to pay attention to this when you find a light you like and you’re ready to hit that “order” button.

    WAC Multihead Light: Why Is Dimmer Compatibility Important?

    Lastly, make sure that the LEDs you select are dimmable. This is something you need to check in the product cutsheet or through the web store that you are browsing. ​

    Also, you’ll need to make sure that the dimmer you select will be compatible with the LED light fixture.  In the past, we could easily dim incandescent and halogen lighting with a simple rotary dimmer. This may or may not work for a new LED light fixture. 

    You wouldn’t expect your television remote to be able to turn on your stereo system, would you? The same is true for LED dimmers. You have to make sure that the dimmer switch can actually communicate with the light fixture. 

    Why is Dimmer Compatibility Important?

    There’s a variety of dimming protocols: it may be TRIAC, Electronic Low Voltage (ELV), 0-10 Volt, or DALI. So make sure to work with your electrician or a sales representative to make sure that the components of your lighting design are all compatible. 

    WAC Multihead Light: Why is it Important to Do a Lighting Calculation?

    If you want to be confident in your residential lighting design, you have to do a lighting calculation. It’s as simple as that. 

    Footcandle Targets

    But how do we actually estimate how bright a room actually needs to be? Well, the footcandle targets for a room are set by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD).

    This professional organization has studied and analyzed the functional requirements for each kind of space designed by architects. For residential projects, I like to refer back to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory & Department of Energy’s footcandle targets, since those are made freely available to the public. These are the targets I use for my own projects, and are the basis for the lighting estimator on this webpage. ​

    Avoiding Lighting Mistakes – Not Enough Light

    You don’t want to have too little light. It’s expensive for a contractor and electrican to come back after the fact to revise the lighting strategy and patch the walls/ceiling. This happened to an interior designer early in my career, and it wasn’t a fun situation.

    For me, it was the beginning of a great collaboration with this design professional, because we worked on many projects after that – but of course it would have been better if this interior designer hadn’t made that mistake to begin with. ​

    WAC Multihead Light: Avoiding Lighting Mistakes – Too Much Light

    Likewise, you also don’t want to be too bright, and overspend on lighting, just because you’re unsure what is needed and just hoping for the best (yikes!).

    This is fundamentally why I created the lighting estimator at the beginning of this page – to balance making sure there’s enough light, while also making sure a client isn’t paying for too many lights. Hopefully using the calculator was straightforward. Reach out with questions (before buying/building anything), if you’d like help! Good luck on your project!

    Best Residential Lights_WAC Silo Trimless

    Table of Contents: How Many Lights WAC Multihead Adjustable Light

    WAC Multihead Adjustable Light Works Cited: Quality Residential Lighting & How Many Lights​

    Duncan, Steve. “Why Is It Important to Do a Lighting Calculation?” Lighting Design Insights. [LightingJUMP.com, https://www.lightingjump.com/how-many-lights-forest-vibe]. 

    The author emphasizes the necessity of conducting lighting calculations to ensure effective lighting design in various spaces. He cites the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) for their established footcandle targets that help determine appropriate lighting levels. Duncan also mentions the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Department of Energy’s publicly available footcandle targets, which he uses for residential projects.

    He shares a personal anecdote about the complications that arise from inadequate lighting, stressing the importance of precise calculations to avoid costly adjustments and excessive spending. The lighting estimator featured on his webpage is designed to assist clients in achieving optimal lighting without overspending. 

    References – How Many Lights WAC Multihead Adjustable Light

    Lotus LRG3: Love the Light, But Is It Bright Enough?
    Lotus Flangeless: Love the Light, But Is It Bright Enough?
    Eurofase Midway: Love the Light, But Is It Bright Enough?
    Lotus Multihead: Love the Light, But Is It Bright Enough?
    Subscribe
  • Lotus Multihead: Love the Light, But Is It Bright Enough?

    Lotus Multihead: Love the Light, But Is It Bright Enough?

    Ordering Link

    How Many Lights Will You Really Need for Your Design? Lotus Multihead Adjustable Light

    Let’s take the guesswork out of lighting so you can design with confidence! Ensuring the right amount of illumination is essential for both functionality and ambiance. The Lotus Multihead Adjustable light delivers an impressive 2250 lumens, but how many lights do you actually need for your space?

    To make sure your design is bright enough, use our lighting estimator below to calculate the ideal number of Lotus lights based on your room’s size. Whether you’re working on a residential or commercial project, this tool helps you achieve the perfect lighting balance.

    Note: By using the lighting estimator below, you agree to the terms and conditions of this website.

    How Bright_Lotus Multi Head Adjustable

    How Many Lights Will You Need? Lotus Multihead Adjustable Light

    Best Residential Lights_Lotus Multihead

    How to Estimate How Many Lights You Will Need for Your Room

    • Step 1: Use the drop down button to select the Room Type.
    • Step 2: Fill in the square footage of your room.
    • Step 3: Use the drop down button to select your ceiling height.
    • Step 4: Use the drop down button to select how bright your room finishes will be (bright, medium, or dark).

    The calculator will automatically tell you how many lumens you need for your room, and weather you need additional lights.

    Reach out with questions if you’d like me to double check your work, before you purchase anything. If you are working on a building permit, or putting together a lighting budget, feel free to use my free lighting design guide here (excel format).

    How Many Square Multi Head Lights Will I Need? Video Tutorial

    Lotus Multihead Adjustable Light: Need Additional Light?

    If you’ve used our calculator and are still wondering how many lights you need, consider supplementing your design with accent lighting. While the Lotus Multihead Adjustable light provides stunning illumination, some spaces may require additional fixtures for optimal brightness and balance.

    Below, I’ve curated a list of go-to lighting options that I frequently use in projects with architects and developers. These fixtures are organized for quick comparison of cost, wattage, and aesthetics, ensuring you find the perfect complement to your Lotus can light setup.

    Every light is UL-listed for safety and has a color rendering index (CRI) of 90+, guaranteeing high-quality illumination.

    Not sure if you need more lighting? Reach out with any questions—I’m happy to help fine-tune your design!

    — Steve Duncan, AIA

    Recessed Can Downlights

    Best Residential Lights_Feit LEDR56930CA

    Feit LEDR56/930CA

    $

    90 CRI – 3000K

    925 Lumens
    Best Residential Lights_Juno Gen2

    Juno Gen 2

    $$

    90 CRI – 3000K

    1000 Lumens
    Best Residential Lights_WAC Volta 2 Inch

    WAC Volta 2 Inch

    $$$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K

    1500 Lumens

    Recessed Wall Washer Lights

    Best Residential Lights_Feit Wall Washer Light

    Feit LEDR56SCP/930CA/SP

    $

    90 CRI – 3000K

    850 Lumens
    Best Residential Lights_WAC Lotos Recessed Wall Washer LED

    WAC Lotos

    $$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, 5000K

    795 Lumens

    WAC Volta 2 Inch Wall Washer

    $$$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K

    1500 Lumens

    Recessed Adjustable Accent Lights

    Feit RCS DWNLT ADJ

    $

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, 5000K

    850 Lumens

    Juno Gen2 ADJ 2LED TRIM

    $$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, 5000K

    600 Lumens
    Best Residential Lights_WAC Volta 2 Inch Adjustable

    WAC Volta 2″ Round Adjustable

    $$$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K

    1500 Lumens

    What Should You Look for in Quality Residential Lighting?

    Architect calculating how many lights are needed for her project if she uses foscarini spokes.

    When designing the perfect living space, one of the most impactful yet often overlooked elements is quality residential lighting. Whether you’re considering the Lotus Multihead Adjustable can light or determining how many lights are needed for your space, the right lighting enhances ambiance, highlights decor, and improves functionality.

    In 2025, the best residential lighting solutions prioritize high color rendering (CRI 90+), energy efficiency, and sleek, versatile designs that suit a variety of interiors. As an architect and lighting designer, I’ve carefully selected the best lighting options to meet these high standards, ensuring that your space is not only well-lit but also beautifully illuminated.

    Whether you’re remodeling or designing a new home, choosing the right can light and determining how many lights you need will elevate your space and maximize its potential.

    Lotus Multihead Adjustable Light: Quality Residential Lighting Criteria

    • UL Listed for Safety
    • Have a Color Rendering Index (CRI) of at least 90
    • Customer Rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars

    Lotus Can Light: Why Is Color Rendering Important for Quality Residential Lighting?

    Regardless of the vibe you are going for, there are two things that can trip up designers when they are selecting LED lighting. The first, is color rendering. ​

    Color Rendering Index (CRI)

    If you only remember one thing from me, please remember that color rendering is EVERYTHING when it comes to lighting. If you love incandescent and halogen lights, but hate fluorescent, then color rendering is the reason.​

    We always want to find lights that have a color rendering (CRI) of at least 90, so that we can bring out the true color of our room finishes and decor. Many LED lights have a color rendering of 80, and this score is actually worse than fluorescent (which has a score of 82). As you can see in the image below, the true color of the wood is brought out with the light on the right, which has a score of 90. The red tones of the wood come through and it feels warm. In contrast, the light on the left makes the wood look a bit greenish and yellow, because it has a poor color rendering score of 80.​

    Color Rendering Comparison of two LEDs which are illuminating a wood furniture piece.

    Trust me! It’s worth it to spend just a little bit more on lights to make sure that you’re getting LEDs with a score of 90 or higher, so that the people and finishes in your spaces feel vibrant and full of life. Make sure to pay attention to this when you find a light you like and you’re ready to hit that “order” button.

    Lotus Can Light: Why Is Dimmer Compatibility Important?

    Lastly, make sure that the LEDs you select are dimmable. This is something you need to check in the product cutsheet or through the web store that you are browsing. ​

    Also, you’ll need to make sure that the dimmer you select will be compatible with the LED light fixture.  In the past, we could easily dim incandescent and halogen lighting with a simple rotary dimmer. This may or may not work for a new LED light fixture. 

    You wouldn’t expect your television remote to be able to turn on your stereo system, would you? The same is true for LED dimmers. You have to make sure that the dimmer switch can actually communicate with the light fixture. 

    Why is Dimmer Compatibility Important?

    There’s a variety of dimming protocols: it may be TRIAC, Electronic Low Voltage (ELV), 0-10 Volt, or DALI. So make sure to work with your electrician or a sales representative to make sure that the components of your lighting design are all compatible. 

    Lotus Can Light: Why is it Important to Do a Lighting Calculation?

    If you want to be confident in your residential lighting design, you have to do a lighting calculation. It’s as simple as that. 

    Footcandle Targets

    But how do we actually estimate how bright a room actually needs to be? Well, the footcandle targets for a room are set by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD).

    This professional organization has studied and analyzed the functional requirements for each kind of space designed by architects. For residential projects, I like to refer back to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory & Department of Energy’s footcandle targets, since those are made freely available to the public. These are the targets I use for my own projects, and are the basis for the lighting estimator on this webpage. ​

    Avoiding Lighting Mistakes – Not Enough Light

    You don’t want to have too little light. It’s expensive for a contractor and electrican to come back after the fact to revise the lighting strategy and patch the walls/ceiling. This happened to an interior designer early in my career, and it wasn’t a fun situation.

    For me, it was the beginning of a great collaboration with this design professional, because we worked on many projects after that – but of course it would have been better if this interior designer hadn’t made that mistake to begin with. ​

    Lotus Can Light: Avoiding Lighting Mistakes – Too Much Light

    Likewise, you also don’t want to be too bright, and overspend on lighting, just because you’re unsure what is needed and just hoping for the best (yikes!).

    This is fundamentally why I created the lighting estimator at the beginning of this page – to balance making sure there’s enough light, while also making sure a client isn’t paying for too many lights. Hopefully using the calculator was straightforward. Reach out with questions (before buying/building anything), if you’d like help! Good luck on your project!

    Best Residential Lights_Lotus Multihead

    Table of Contents: How Many Lights Lotus Multihead Adjustable Light

    Lotus Multihead Adjustable Light Works Cited: Quality Residential Lighting & How Many Lights​

    Duncan, Steve. “Why Is It Important to Do a Lighting Calculation?” Lighting Design Insights. [LightingJUMP.com, https://www.lightingjump.com/how-many-lights-forest-vibe]. 

    The author emphasizes the necessity of conducting lighting calculations to ensure effective lighting design in various spaces. He cites the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) for their established footcandle targets that help determine appropriate lighting levels. Duncan also mentions the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Department of Energy’s publicly available footcandle targets, which he uses for residential projects.

    He shares a personal anecdote about the complications that arise from inadequate lighting, stressing the importance of precise calculations to avoid costly adjustments and excessive spending. The lighting estimator featured on his webpage is designed to assist clients in achieving optimal lighting without overspending. 

    References – How Many Lights Lotus Multihead Adjustable Light

    Lotus LRG3: Love the Light, But Is It Bright Enough?
    Cymatics and Lighting: Have We Lost Our Way?
    Lotus Flangeless: Love the Light, But Is It Bright Enough?
    Eurofase Midway: Love the Light, But Is It Bright Enough?
    Lotus Multihead: Love the Light, But Is It Bright Enough?
    Subscribe
  • Eurofase Midway: Love the Light, But Is It Bright Enough?

    Eurofase Midway: Love the Light, But Is It Bright Enough?

    Ordering Link

    How Many Lights Will You Really Need for Your Design? Eurofase Midway Multihead Adjustable Light

    Let’s take the guesswork out of lighting so you can design with confidence! Ensuring the right amount of illumination is essential for both functionality and ambiance. The Eurofase Midway light delivers an impressive 2025 lumens, but how many lights do you actually need for your space?

    To make sure your design is bright enough, use our lighting estimator below to calculate the ideal number of Eurofase Midway lights based on your room’s size. Whether you’re working on a residential or commercial project, this tool helps you achieve the perfect lighting balance.

    Note: By using the lighting estimator below, you agree to the terms and conditions of this website. Reach out to me if you have any questions, before you order or start construction.

    How Bright_Eurofase Midway

    How Many Lights Will You Need? Eurofase Midway Can Light

    Best Residential Lights_Eurofase Midway

    How to Estimate How Many Lights You Will Need for Your Room

    • Step 1: Use the drop down button to select the Room Type.
    • Step 2: Fill in the square footage of your room.
    • Step 3: Use the drop down button to select your ceiling height.
    • Step 4: Use the drop down button to select how bright your room finishes will be (bright, medium, or dark).

    The calculator will automatically tell you how many lumens you need for your room, and weather you need additional lights.

    Reach out with questions if you’d like me to double check your work, before you purchase anything. If you are working on a building permit, or putting together a lighting budget, feel free to use my free lighting design guide here (excel format).

    How Many Multi-Head Lights Will I Need? Budget Friendly Option: Video Tutorial

    Eurofase Midway Multi-Head Adjustable Recessed Light: Need Additional Light?

    If you’ve used our calculator and are still wondering how many lights you need, consider supplementing your design with accent lighting. While the Eurofase light provides stunning illumination, some spaces may require additional fixtures for optimal brightness and balance.

    Below, I’ve curated a list of go-to lighting options that I frequently use in projects with architects and developers. These fixtures are organized for quick comparison of cost, wattage, and aesthetics, ensuring you find the perfect complement to your Eurofase Midway lighting setup.

    Every light is UL-listed for safety and has a color rendering index (CRI) of 90+, guaranteeing high-quality illumination.

    Not sure if you need more lighting? Reach out with any questions—I’m happy to help fine-tune your design!

    — Steve Duncan, AIA

    Recessed Can Downlights

    Best Residential Lights_Feit LEDR56930CA

    Feit LEDR56/930CA

    $

    90 CRI – 3000K

    925 Lumens
    Best Residential Lights_Juno Gen2

    Juno Gen 2

    $$

    90 CRI – 3000K

    1000 Lumens
    Best Residential Lights_WAC Volta 2 Inch

    WAC Volta 2 Inch

    $$$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K

    1500 Lumens

    Recessed Wall Washer Lights

    Best Residential Lights_Feit Wall Washer Light

    Feit LEDR56SCP/930CA/SP

    $

    90 CRI – 3000K

    850 Lumens
    Best Residential Lights_WAC Lotos Recessed Wall Washer LED

    WAC Lotos

    $$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, 5000K

    795 Lumens

    WAC Volta 2 Inch Wall Washer

    $$$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K

    1500 Lumens

    Recessed Adjustable Accent Lights

    Feit RCS DWNLT ADJ

    $

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, 5000K

    850 Lumens

    Juno Gen2 ADJ 2LED TRIM

    $$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, 5000K

    600 Lumens
    Best Residential Lights_WAC Volta 2 Inch Adjustable

    WAC Volta 2″ Round Adjustable

    $$$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K

    1500 Lumens

    What Should You Look for in Quality Residential Lighting?

    Architect calculating how many lights are needed for her project if she uses foscarini spokes.

    When designing the perfect living space, one of the most impactful yet often overlooked elements is quality residential lighting. Whether you’re considering the Eurofase Midway can light or determining how many lights are needed for your space, the right lighting enhances ambiance, highlights decor, and improves functionality.

    In 2025, the best residential lighting solutions prioritize high color rendering (CRI 90+), energy efficiency, and sleek, versatile designs that suit a variety of interiors. As an architect and lighting designer, I’ve carefully selected the best lighting options to meet these high standards, ensuring that your space is not only well-lit but also beautifully illuminated.

    Whether you’re remodeling or designing a new home, choosing the right can light and determining how many lights you need will elevate your space and maximize its potential.

    Eurofase Midway: Quality Residential Lighting Criteria

    • UL Listed for Safety
    • Have a Color Rendering Index (CRI) of at least 90
    • Customer Rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars

    Eurofase Midway: Why Is Color Rendering Important for Quality Residential Lighting?

    Regardless of the vibe you are going for, there are two things that can trip up designers when they are selecting LED lighting. The first, is color rendering. ​

    Color Rendering Index (CRI)

    If you only remember one thing from me, please remember that color rendering is EVERYTHING when it comes to lighting. If you love incandescent and halogen lights, but hate fluorescent, then color rendering is the reason.​

    We always want to find lights that have a color rendering (CRI) of at least 90, so that we can bring out the true color of our room finishes and decor. Many LED lights have a color rendering of 80, and this score is actually worse than fluorescent (which has a score of 82). As you can see in the image below, the true color of the wood is brought out with the light on the right, which has a score of 90. The red tones of the wood come through and it feels warm. In contrast, the light on the left makes the wood look a bit greenish and yellow, because it has a poor color rendering score of 80.​

    Color Rendering Comparison of two LEDs which are illuminating a wood furniture piece.

    Trust me! It’s worth it to spend just a little bit more on lights to make sure that you’re getting LEDs with a score of 90 or higher, so that the people and finishes in your spaces feel vibrant and full of life. Make sure to pay attention to this when you find a light you like and you’re ready to hit that “order” button.

    Eurofase Midway Light: Why Is Dimmer Compatibility Important?

    Lastly, make sure that the LEDs you select are dimmable. This is something you need to check in the product cutsheet or through the web store that you are browsing. ​

    Also, you’ll need to make sure that the dimmer you select will be compatible with the LED light fixture.  In the past, we could easily dim incandescent and halogen lighting with a simple rotary dimmer. This may or may not work for a new LED light fixture. 

    You wouldn’t expect your television remote to be able to turn on your stereo system, would you? The same is true for LED dimmers. You have to make sure that the dimmer switch can actually communicate with the light fixture. 

    Why is Dimmer Compatibility Important?

    There’s a variety of dimming protocols: it may be TRIAC, Electronic Low Voltage (ELV), 0-10 Volt, or DALI. So make sure to work with your electrician or a sales representative to make sure that the components of your lighting design are all compatible. 

    Eurofase Midway Light: Why is it Important to Do a Lighting Calculation?

    If you want to be confident in your residential lighting design, you have to do a lighting calculation. It’s as simple as that. 

    Footcandle Targets

    But how do we actually estimate how bright a room actually needs to be? Well, the footcandle targets for a room are set by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD).

    This professional organization has studied and analyzed the functional requirements for each kind of space designed by architects. For residential projects, I like to refer back to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory & Department of Energy’s footcandle targets, since those are made freely available to the public. These are the targets I use for my own projects, and are the basis for the lighting estimator on this webpage. ​

    Avoiding Lighting Mistakes – Not Enough Light

    You don’t want to have too little light. It’s expensive for a contractor and electrican to come back after the fact to revise the lighting strategy and patch the walls/ceiling. This happened to an interior designer early in my career, and it wasn’t a fun situation.

    For me, it was the beginning of a great collaboration with this design professional, because we worked on many projects after that – but of course it would have been better if this interior designer hadn’t made that mistake to begin with. ​

    Eurofase Midway Light: Avoiding Lighting Mistakes – Too Much Light

    Likewise, you also don’t want to be too bright, and overspend on lighting, just because you’re unsure what is needed and just hoping for the best (yikes!).

    This is fundamentally why I created the lighting estimator at the beginning of this page – to balance making sure there’s enough light, while also making sure a client isn’t paying for too many lights. Hopefully using the calculator was straightforward. Reach out with questions (before buying/building anything), if you’d like help! Good luck on your project!

    Best Residential Lights_Eurofase Midway

    Table of Contents: How Many Lights Eurofase Midway Light

    Eurofase Midway Works Cited: Quality Residential Lighting & How Many Lights​

    Duncan, Steve. “Why Is It Important to Do a Lighting Calculation?” Lighting Design Insights. [LightingJUMP.com, https://www.lightingjump.com/how-many-lights-forest-vibe]. 

    The author emphasizes the necessity of conducting lighting calculations to ensure effective lighting design in various spaces. He cites the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) for their established footcandle targets that help determine appropriate lighting levels. Duncan also mentions the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Department of Energy’s publicly available footcandle targets, which he uses for residential projects.

    He shares a personal anecdote about the complications that arise from inadequate lighting, stressing the importance of precise calculations to avoid costly adjustments and excessive spending. The lighting estimator featured on his webpage is designed to assist clients in achieving optimal lighting without overspending. 

    References – How Many Eurofase Midway Light

    Lotus LRG3: Love the Light, But Is It Bright Enough?
    Plasma Orbs and Architecture: Will Disclosure Lead to Better Design?
    Furniture and Cymatics: Connecting Sound and Quality Design
    Cymatics and Lighting: Have We Lost Our Way?
    Lotus Multihead: Love the Light, But Is It Bright Enough?
    Subscribe
  • Lotus Flangeless: Love the Light, But Is It Bright Enough?

    Lotus Flangeless: Love the Light, But Is It Bright Enough?

    How Many Lights Will You Really Need for Your Design? Lotus Flangeless Can Light

    Let’s take the guesswork out of lighting so you can design with confidence! Ensuring the right amount of illumination is essential for both functionality and ambiance. The Lotus Flangeless can light delivers an impressive 900 lumens, but how many lights do you actually need for your space?

    To make sure your design is bright enough, use our lighting estimator below to calculate the ideal number of Lotus lights based on your room’s size. Whether you’re working on a residential or commercial project, this tool helps you achieve the perfect lighting balance.

    Note: By using the lighting estimator below, you agree to the terms and conditions of this website. Reach out to me if you have any questions, before you order or start construction.

    How Bright_Lotus Trimless Warm Dim

    How Many Lights Will You Need? Lotus Flangeless Can Light

    Best Residential Lights_Lotus Trimless Warm Dim

    How to Estimate How Many Lights You Will Need for Your Room

    • Step 1: Use the drop down button to select the Room Type.
    • Step 2: Fill in the square footage of your room.
    • Step 3: Use the drop down button to select your ceiling height.
    • Step 4: Use the drop down button to select how bright your room finishes will be (bright, medium, or dark).

    The calculator will automatically tell you how many lumens you need for your room, and weather you need additional lights.

    Reach out with questions if you’d like me to double check your work, before you purchase anything. If you are working on a building permit, or putting together a lighting budget, feel free to use my free lighting design guide here (excel format).

    Lotus Flangeless Can Light: Need Additional Light?

    If you’ve used our calculator and are still wondering how many lights you need, consider supplementing your design with accent lighting. While the Lotus Flangeless light provides stunning illumination, some spaces may require additional fixtures for optimal brightness and balance.

    Below, I’ve curated a list of go-to lighting options that I frequently use in projects with architects and developers. These fixtures are organized for quick comparison of cost, wattage, and aesthetics, ensuring you find the perfect complement to your Lotus can light setup.

    Every light is UL-listed for safety and has a color rendering index (CRI) of 90+, guaranteeing high-quality illumination.

    Not sure if you need more lighting? Reach out with any questions—I’m happy to help fine-tune your design!

    — Steve Duncan, AIA

    Recessed Can Downlights

    Best Residential Lights_Feit LEDR56930CA

    Feit LEDR56/930CA

    $

    90 CRI – 3000K

    925 Lumens
    Best Residential Lights_Juno Gen2

    Juno Gen 2

    $$

    90 CRI – 3000K

    1000 Lumens
    Best Residential Lights_WAC Volta 2 Inch

    WAC Volta 2 Inch

    $$$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K

    1500 Lumens

    Recessed Wall Washer Lights

    Best Residential Lights_Feit Wall Washer Light

    Feit LEDR56SCP/930CA/SP

    $

    90 CRI – 3000K

    850 Lumens
    Best Residential Lights_WAC Lotos Recessed Wall Washer LED

    WAC Lotos

    $$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, 5000K

    795 Lumens

    WAC Volta 2 Inch Wall Washer

    $$$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K

    1500 Lumens

    Recessed Adjustable Accent Lights

    Feit RCS DWNLT ADJ

    $

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, 5000K

    850 Lumens

    Juno Gen2 ADJ 2LED TRIM

    $$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, 5000K

    600 Lumens
    Best Residential Lights_WAC Volta 2 Inch Adjustable

    WAC Volta 2″ Round Adjustable

    $$$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K

    1500 Lumens

    What Should You Look for in Quality Residential Lighting?

    Architect calculating how many lights are needed for her project if she uses foscarini spokes.

    When designing the perfect living space, one of the most impactful yet often overlooked elements is quality residential lighting. Whether you’re considering the Lotus Flangeless can light or determining how many lights are needed for your space, the right lighting enhances ambiance, highlights decor, and improves functionality.

    In 2025, the best residential lighting solutions prioritize high color rendering (CRI 90+), energy efficiency, and sleek, versatile designs that suit a variety of interiors. As an architect and lighting designer, I’ve carefully selected the best lighting options to meet these high standards, ensuring that your space is not only well-lit but also beautifully illuminated.

    Whether you’re remodeling or designing a new home, choosing the right can light and determining how many lights you need will elevate your space and maximize its potential.

    Lotus Flangeless Can Light: Quality Residential Lighting Criteria

    • UL Listed for Safety
    • Have a Color Rendering Index (CRI) of at least 90
    • Customer Rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars

    Lotus Can Light: Why Is Color Rendering Important for Quality Residential Lighting?

    Regardless of the vibe you are going for, there are two things that can trip up designers when they are selecting LED lighting. The first, is color rendering. ​

    Color Rendering Index (CRI)

    If you only remember one thing from me, please remember that color rendering is EVERYTHING when it comes to lighting. If you love incandescent and halogen lights, but hate fluorescent, then color rendering is the reason.​

    We always want to find lights that have a color rendering (CRI) of at least 90, so that we can bring out the true color of our room finishes and decor. Many LED lights have a color rendering of 80, and this score is actually worse than fluorescent (which has a score of 82). As you can see in the image below, the true color of the wood is brought out with the light on the right, which has a score of 90. The red tones of the wood come through and it feels warm. In contrast, the light on the left makes the wood look a bit greenish and yellow, because it has a poor color rendering score of 80.​

    Color Rendering Comparison of two LEDs which are illuminating a wood furniture piece.

    Trust me! It’s worth it to spend just a little bit more on lights to make sure that you’re getting LEDs with a score of 90 or higher, so that the people and finishes in your spaces feel vibrant and full of life. Make sure to pay attention to this when you find a light you like and you’re ready to hit that “order” button.

    Lotus Can Light: Why Is Dimmer Compatibility Important?

    Lastly, make sure that the LEDs you select are dimmable. This is something you need to check in the product cutsheet or through the web store that you are browsing. ​

    Also, you’ll need to make sure that the dimmer you select will be compatible with the LED light fixture.  In the past, we could easily dim incandescent and halogen lighting with a simple rotary dimmer. This may or may not work for a new LED light fixture. 

    You wouldn’t expect your television remote to be able to turn on your stereo system, would you? The same is true for LED dimmers. You have to make sure that the dimmer switch can actually communicate with the light fixture. 

    Why is Dimmer Compatibility Important?

    There’s a variety of dimming protocols: it may be TRIAC, Electronic Low Voltage (ELV), 0-10 Volt, or DALI. So make sure to work with your electrician or a sales representative to make sure that the components of your lighting design are all compatible. 

    Lotus Can Light: Why is it Important to Do a Lighting Calculation?

    If you want to be confident in your residential lighting design, you have to do a lighting calculation. It’s as simple as that. 

    Footcandle Targets

    But how do we actually estimate how bright a room actually needs to be? Well, the footcandle targets for a room are set by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD).

    This professional organization has studied and analyzed the functional requirements for each kind of space designed by architects. For residential projects, I like to refer back to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory & Department of Energy’s footcandle targets, since those are made freely available to the public. These are the targets I use for my own projects, and are the basis for the lighting estimator on this webpage. ​

    Avoiding Lighting Mistakes – Not Enough Light

    You don’t want to have too little light. It’s expensive for a contractor and electrican to come back after the fact to revise the lighting strategy and patch the walls/ceiling. This happened to an interior designer early in my career, and it wasn’t a fun situation.

    For me, it was the beginning of a great collaboration with this design professional, because we worked on many projects after that – but of course it would have been better if this interior designer hadn’t made that mistake to begin with. ​

    Lotus Can Light: Avoiding Lighting Mistakes – Too Much Light

    Likewise, you also don’t want to be too bright, and overspend on lighting, just because you’re unsure what is needed and just hoping for the best (yikes!).

    This is fundamentally why I created the lighting estimator at the beginning of this page – to balance making sure there’s enough light, while also making sure a client isn’t paying for too many lights. Hopefully using the calculator was straightforward. Reach out with questions (before buying/building anything), if you’d like help! Good luck on your project!

    Best Residential Lights_Lotus Trimless Warm Dim

    Table of Contents: How Many Lights Lotus Flangeless Can Light

    Lotus Flangeless Can Light Works Cited: Quality Residential Lighting & How Many Lights​

    Duncan, Steve. “Why Is It Important to Do a Lighting Calculation?” Lighting Design Insights. [LightingJUMP.com, https://www.lightingjump.com/how-many-lights-forest-vibe]. 

    The author emphasizes the necessity of conducting lighting calculations to ensure effective lighting design in various spaces. He cites the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) for their established footcandle targets that help determine appropriate lighting levels. Duncan also mentions the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Department of Energy’s publicly available footcandle targets, which he uses for residential projects.

    He shares a personal anecdote about the complications that arise from inadequate lighting, stressing the importance of precise calculations to avoid costly adjustments and excessive spending. The lighting estimator featured on his webpage is designed to assist clients in achieving optimal lighting without overspending. 

    References – How Many Lights Lotus Flangeless Can Light

    Lotus LRG3: Love the Light, But Is It Bright Enough?
    Plasma Orbs and Architecture: Will Disclosure Lead to Better Design?
    Furniture and Cymatics: Connecting Sound and Quality Design
    Cymatics and Lighting: Have We Lost Our Way?
    Subscribe
  • Lotus LRG3: Love the Light, But Is It Bright Enough?

    Lotus LRG3: Love the Light, But Is It Bright Enough?

    How Many Lights Will You Really Need for Your Design? Lotus LRG3 Can Light

    Let’s take the guesswork out of lighting so you can design with confidence! Ensuring the right amount of illumination is essential for both functionality and ambiance. The Lotus LRG3 can light delivers an impressive 700 lumens, but how many lights do you actually need for your space?

    To make sure your design is bright enough, use our lighting estimator below to calculate the ideal number of Lotus lights based on your room’s size. Whether you’re working on a residential or commercial project, this tool helps you achieve the perfect lighting balance.

    Note: By using the lighting estimator below, you agree to the terms and conditions of this website. Reach out to me if you have any questions, before you order or start construction.

    How Bright_Lotus LRG3

    How Many Lights Will You Need? Lotus LRG3 Can Light

    Best Residential Lights_Lotus Gimbal 3 Inch Round

    How to Estimate How Many Lights You Will Need for Your Room

    • Step 1: Use the drop down button to select the Room Type.
    • Step 2: Fill in the square footage of your room.
    • Step 3: Use the drop down button to select your ceiling height.
    • Step 4: Use the drop down button to select how bright your room finishes will be (bright, medium, or dark).

    The calculator will automatically tell you how many lumens you need for your room, and weather you need additional lights.

    Reach out with questions if you’d like me to double check your work, before you purchase anything. If you are working on a building permit, or putting together a lighting budget, feel free to use my free lighting design guide here (excel format).

    Lotus LRG3 Can Light: Need Additional Light?

    If you’ve used our calculator and are still wondering how many lights you need, consider supplementing your design with accent lighting. While the Lotus LRG3 light provides stunning illumination, some spaces may require additional fixtures for optimal brightness and balance.

    Below, I’ve curated a list of go-to lighting options that I frequently use in projects with architects and developers. These fixtures are organized for quick comparison of cost, wattage, and aesthetics, ensuring you find the perfect complement to your Lotus can light setup.

    Every light is UL-listed for safety and has a color rendering index (CRI) of 90+, guaranteeing high-quality illumination.

    Not sure if you need more lighting? Reach out with any questions—I’m happy to help fine-tune your design!

    — Steve Duncan, AIA

    Recessed Can Downlights

    Best Residential Lights_Feit LEDR56930CA

    Feit LEDR56/930CA

    $

    90 CRI – 3000K

    925 Lumens
    Best Residential Lights_Juno Gen2

    Juno Gen 2

    $$

    90 CRI – 3000K

    1000 Lumens
    Best Residential Lights_WAC Volta 2 Inch

    WAC Volta 2 Inch

    $$$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K

    1500 Lumens

    Recessed Wall Washer Lights

    Best Residential Lights_Feit Wall Washer Light

    Feit LEDR56SCP/930CA/SP

    $

    90 CRI – 3000K

    850 Lumens
    Best Residential Lights_WAC Lotos Recessed Wall Washer LED

    WAC Lotos

    $$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, 5000K

    795 Lumens

    WAC Volta 2 Inch Wall Washer

    $$$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K

    1500 Lumens

    Recessed Adjustable Accent Lights

    Feit RCS DWNLT ADJ

    $

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, 5000K

    850 Lumens

    Juno Gen2 ADJ 2LED TRIM

    $$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, 5000K

    600 Lumens
    Best Residential Lights_WAC Volta 2 Inch Adjustable

    WAC Volta 2″ Round Adjustable

    $$$

    90 CRI – 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K

    1500 Lumens

    What Should You Look for in Quality Residential Lighting?

    Architect calculating how many lights are needed for her project if she uses foscarini spokes.

    When designing the perfect living space, one of the most impactful yet often overlooked elements is quality residential lighting. Whether you’re considering the Lotus LRG3 can light or determining how many lights are needed for your space, the right lighting enhances ambiance, highlights decor, and improves functionality.

    In 2025, the best residential lighting solutions prioritize high color rendering (CRI 90+), energy efficiency, and sleek, versatile designs that suit a variety of interiors. As an architect and lighting designer, I’ve carefully selected the best lighting options to meet these high standards, ensuring that your space is not only well-lit but also beautifully illuminated.

    Whether you’re remodeling or designing a new home, choosing the right can light and determining how many lights you need will elevate your space and maximize its potential.

    Lotus LRG3 Can Light: Quality Residential Lighting Criteria

    • UL Listed for Safety
    • Have a Color Rendering Index (CRI) of at least 90
    • Customer Rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars

    Lotus Can Light: Why Is Color Rendering Important for Quality Residential Lighting?

    Regardless of the vibe you are going for, there are two things that can trip up designers when they are selecting LED lighting. The first, is color rendering. ​

    Color Rendering Index (CRI)

    If you only remember one thing from me, please remember that color rendering is EVERYTHING when it comes to lighting. If you love incandescent and halogen lights, but hate fluorescent, then color rendering is the reason.​

    We always want to find lights that have a color rendering (CRI) of at least 90, so that we can bring out the true color of our room finishes and decor. Many LED lights have a color rendering of 80, and this score is actually worse than fluorescent (which has a score of 82). As you can see in the image below, the true color of the wood is brought out with the light on the right, which has a score of 90. The red tones of the wood come through and it feels warm. In contrast, the light on the left makes the wood look a bit greenish and yellow, because it has a poor color rendering score of 80.​

    Color Rendering Comparison of two LEDs which are illuminating a wood furniture piece.

    Trust me! It’s worth it to spend just a little bit more on lights to make sure that you’re getting LEDs with a score of 90 or higher, so that the people and finishes in your spaces feel vibrant and full of life. Make sure to pay attention to this when you find a light you like and you’re ready to hit that “order” button.

    Lotus Can Light: Why Is Dimmer Compatibility Important?

    Lastly, make sure that the LEDs you select are dimmable. This is something you need to check in the product cutsheet or through the web store that you are browsing. ​

    Also, you’ll need to make sure that the dimmer you select will be compatible with the LED light fixture.  In the past, we could easily dim incandescent and halogen lighting with a simple rotary dimmer. This may or may not work for a new LED light fixture. 

    You wouldn’t expect your television remote to be able to turn on your stereo system, would you? The same is true for LED dimmers. You have to make sure that the dimmer switch can actually communicate with the light fixture. 

    Why is Dimmer Compatibility Important?

    There’s a variety of dimming protocols: it may be TRIAC, Electronic Low Voltage (ELV), 0-10 Volt, or DALI. So make sure to work with your electrician or a sales representative to make sure that the components of your lighting design are all compatible. 

    Lotus Can Light: Why is it Important to Do a Lighting Calculation?

    If you want to be confident in your residential lighting design, you have to do a lighting calculation. It’s as simple as that. 

    Footcandle Targets

    But how do we actually estimate how bright a room actually needs to be? Well, the footcandle targets for a room are set by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD).

    This professional organization has studied and analyzed the functional requirements for each kind of space designed by architects. For residential projects, I like to refer back to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory & Department of Energy’s footcandle targets, since those are made freely available to the public. These are the targets I use for my own projects, and are the basis for the lighting estimator on this webpage. ​

    Avoiding Lighting Mistakes – Not Enough Light

    You don’t want to have too little light. It’s expensive for a contractor and electrican to come back after the fact to revise the lighting strategy and patch the walls/ceiling. This happened to an interior designer early in my career, and it wasn’t a fun situation.

    For me, it was the beginning of a great collaboration with this design professional, because we worked on many projects after that – but of course it would have been better if this interior designer hadn’t made that mistake to begin with. ​

    Lotus Can Light: Avoiding Lighting Mistakes – Too Much Light

    Likewise, you also don’t want to be too bright, and overspend on lighting, just because you’re unsure what is needed and just hoping for the best (yikes!).

    This is fundamentally why I created the lighting estimator at the beginning of this page – to balance making sure there’s enough light, while also making sure a client isn’t paying for too many lights. Hopefully using the calculator was straightforward. Reach out with questions (before buying/building anything), if you’d like help! Good luck on your project!

    Best Residential Lights_Lotus Gimbal 3 Inch Round

    Table of Contents: How Many Lights Lotus LD3R Can Light

    Lotus LRG3 Can Light Works Cited: Quality Residential Lighting & How Many Lights​

    Duncan, Steve. “Why Is It Important to Do a Lighting Calculation?” Lighting Design Insights. [LightingJUMP.com, https://www.lightingjump.com/how-many-lights-forest-vibe]. 

    The author emphasizes the necessity of conducting lighting calculations to ensure effective lighting design in various spaces. He cites the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) for their established footcandle targets that help determine appropriate lighting levels. Duncan also mentions the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Department of Energy’s publicly available footcandle targets, which he uses for residential projects.

    He shares a personal anecdote about the complications that arise from inadequate lighting, stressing the importance of precise calculations to avoid costly adjustments and excessive spending. The lighting estimator featured on his webpage is designed to assist clients in achieving optimal lighting without overspending. 

    References – How Many Lights Lotus LRG3 Can Light

    Furniture and Cymatics: Connecting Sound and Quality Design
    Cymatics and Lighting: Have We Lost Our Way?
    Lotus LD3R: Love the Light, But Is It Bright Enough?
    Subscribe