How Bright Should Ceiling Lights Be?

There are three types of lighting: task, ambient and accent lighting. Ceiling lights are used for ambient or general lighting, so they should be quite bright when lit. In areas like hallways and closets, they're usually the only light source. In bedrooms and living areas, ceiling lights work together with lamps, which provide task lighting and additional ambient light. Dimmer switches are a smart addition that instantly turns ceiling fixtures into soft accent lighting.

Choose a ceiling fixture that's bright enough for your room by using a lighting standard called lumens. First, determine the square footage of your room (simply multiply length by width). You'll also need to know that:

(1)Dining rooms and kitchens need 30-40 lumens per square foot.

(2)Living areas, bedrooms, and hallways need 20 lumens per square foot.