Lighting plan & tips per room

A good lighting plan prevents dark corners, glare, and lighting that feels too harsh or too cold. This guide shows a practical 5-step plan and room-by-room tips (living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, home office).

5-step plan3 lighting layersRoom-by-room tips

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Quick checklist

Zones: functions per area
Layers: general + task + accent
Controls: dimming/scenes

1) The basics: 3 layers of light

A solid lighting plan always combines three layers:

• General lighting: ceiling light, panel, downlights, track system.
• Task lighting: countertop, desk, reading corner, mirror.
• Accent lighting: wall light, indirect light, spots for objects.

This lets you switch between cozy and functional, without harsh lighting.

2) Create a lighting plan in 5 steps

Step 1 — Measure & zone: sketch the room and mark functions (sofa area, table, counter, walkway).
Step 2 — Pick layers: assign general/task/accent lighting per zone. Prefer multiple light points over one harsh lamp.
Step 3 — Choose color (Kelvin): 2700–3000K for ambience, 3000–3500K all-round, 3500–4000K practical.
Step 4 — Choose brightness (lumens): use a lm/m² guideline and adjust for ceiling height and dark walls.
Step 5 — Placement & control: avoid glare, aim spots smartly, consider dimming and scene controls.

3) Quick targets (cheat sheet)

Living room: 100–200 lm/m² • 2700–3000K • dimming recommended
Kitchen (general): 300–500 lm/m² • 3000–3500K
Countertop (task): 500–750 lm/m² • 3500–4000K
Bedroom: 100–150 lm/m² • 2700–3000K
Bathroom (general): 200–400 lm/m² • 3500–4000K
Home office: 300–500 lm/m² • 4000K

4) Tips per room (practical & fast)

Living room

Combine soft general light with reading light near the sofa and accent (wall/indirect). Choose 2700–3000K and dimming for ambience.

Kitchen

Use strong task lighting over the countertop (under-cabinet/track/spot) plus separate general lighting. 3000–3500K is great; countertop often 3500–4000K.

Bedroom

Keep it calm: warm 2700–3000K, indirect ambience, and focused reading lights. Avoid harsh spots aimed into your eyes.

Bathroom

Combine general lighting with extra at the mirror. Choose 3500–4000K for a fresh look. Consider IP rating near shower/sink.

Home office

Choose functional light (4000K) with enough lumens. Prevent screen reflections and use diffused fixtures to reduce glare.

FAQ

How many light points do I need?

Multiple light points with lower output often feel better than one harsh lamp. Think zones and layers.

Is dimming necessary?

Not required, but dimming is the fastest way to make one room work for multiple moments (work, dinner, relax).

What if my room feels too dark?

Increase lumens (more/stronger fixtures), use lighter surfaces, and add task lighting where it matters.

Summary

Use 3 layers: general, task, accent.
Create a plan in 5 steps (zones → layers → Kelvin → lumens → placement/controls).
Use targets per room and adjust for ceiling height and dark walls.

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