A foyer light creates a positive and lasting impression. It’s the first thing you and your visitors notice when you step in the front door. The foyer not only changes the interior appearance but also sets the tone of the house.
Since it matters a lot, the lighting of the entryway should be appropriate, unique, and beautiful.
With that said, how bright should a foyer light be?
A little light goes a long way in the dark. A hallway needs 500-1,000 lumens. If you have multiple fixtures, each fixture should have around 200 lumens. To calculate the lumens, multiply a room’s total square feet by the foot-candle requirement. So, if your hallway is 70 square feet, and the hallway recommended foot-candle is 5-10, you will need 350-700 lumens.
Determining how bright a foyer light should be can be challenging. The calculation of the LED lighting for a well-lit space may as well be a bit complicated.
However, keep reading to understand the number of lumens you need for a bright space.
How to determine the lumens that you need for a well-lit space
Contents
Lumens
It measures the quantity of light produced by a source of light. The benefits of brightness in a space or room cannot be overlooked. The right lighting creates a positive impression and makes a bold statement.
Without enough light, you may end up facing many problems such as inconvenience and inability to work on tasks.
To measure the lumens, first determine the length and width of a room in square inches. After measuring the length and width, multiply the two square inches. The square inches are then multiplied by 144 to convert them into square feet.
To find the number of lumens, use a table for recommended foot candles to determine what each room requires. Lastly, the number of lumens and room’s square feet is multiplied.
Watts
It measures the energy consumed by a light bulb. Different types of light sources have different watts.
Wattage equivalence
A chart is used to determine where the lumen-per-watt ratio ranges for different types of bulbs.
Efficacy
It is the percentage of lumens produced by a bulb for each consumed watt. A high number of lumens indicate higher efficiency of the bulb.
Lumens for a foyer
Lumens measure brightness. A room where you’re more likely to be doing an activity or working needs a higher percentage of brightness. For a room like a kitchen, you might need 8000 lumens.
An entry or hallway doesn’t require complex and bright lighting. Little lighting is enough to light the hallway.
To determine the lumens needed, you need to first measure the foyer. Having the dimension of the space will give you an idea of the type of lighting that is right for your home. If your ceiling is low, consider a small chandelier.
For a low ceiling, going for a low chandelier means that you and your guests may end up bumping into it. However, for a two-story entryway, a large foyer chandelier is an excellent option.
If you have a large foyer, you’ll need either multiple lights or single brighter light. Of course, much light is needed; hence bright lighting will be a great option. You may go for hanging lights or chandeliers, which give more light.
For a small entryway, lamps or flush mount lights are enough.
How high should you hang foyer lighting?
If the height of your ceiling is 10 feet, consider hanging a foyer light around 7 feet from the floor. However, if your ceiling is less than 10 feet, consider getting a smaller chandelier that is no more than 27 inches tall.
Ceilings measuring 11 to 16 feet need lighting ranging from 27 to 40 inches.
How to determine the right size for foyer lighting
After determining your foyer dimensions, consider calculating the chandelier size. Add the length and the width of the entryway or foyer. The sum gives the diameter of the chandelier that you should get.
For instance, if your foyer measures 10 by 15 feet, adding 10 and 15 gives the sum of 25. Therefore, the diameter of the chandelier should be 25 inches.
Factors to consider when choosing foyer lighting
When choosing the perfect lighting, consider any accessories and furniture around the space. Choose a light that complements your home design, style, and architecture.
Style
Style is an important factor when choosing foyer lighting. Is your style mid-century, modern, or contemporary?
Determining your style is the first step towards narrowing it down to a perfect foyer light. Choosing a style will help you select a matching fixture and material.
Accent light
Even though illumination and ambient lighting are important, getting the right accent lights will not only exemplify your home’s design aesthetic but will also complement your home style.
Size of the area
Determining the size of the area will help you in selecting the perfect lighting for the room. If your ceiling is above 14 feet, select a larger fixture.
On the other hand, if you have a short ceiling, consider a small fixture.
Function
Considering how much light a fixture will help you choose the perfect foyer light. For a large space, you’ll need more bulbs. Ensure that the fixture lights the whole area.
If you selected a fixture that doesn’t have enough lighting, you might add recessed lighting or wall sconces. Adding lamps will also add a feeling of coziness.
Types of foyer lighting
Chandeliers
Some of the types of chandeliers include crystal chandelier, cage chandelier, and candle style chandelier. They make a fancy and grand statement of a home. It’s one of the perfect choices due to its elegant style and beautiful lights.
If you have a long entryway, chandeliers will manage to brighten up and light the space. It’s a good choice for large spaces since it uses multiple lamps.
They come in different styles and sizes hence can fit with almost any house style.
Chandeliers create a modernized touch to a home. Since they are a combination of classic and contemporary style, it symbolizes status and luxury. They can also be used for a minimalist look.
Pendants
Some of the types of pendants include drum pendants, bowl pendants, globe pendants, and saucer bubble pendants. Although they are modernized, they can be used in traditional spaces. They give an impression of taller spaces.
They are suspended in the air with a rod or chain from the ceiling. Due to its hanging nature, it’s ideal for the kitchen and entryway. They have a similar appearance as chandeliers.
To ensure they are bright enough, consider checking their size and bulb quantity. Perfect size and suspension provide perfect lighting. Placing a pendant at a height gives an unhindered view.
Semi-flush mounts
Although they are not as popular scones, they are unique and special. They have the right height since they’re not too short or long.
Unlike other light styles, a flush mount is not restricted to be hung from the ceiling only.
They are aesthetically pleasing. Its lighting can be illuminated either in an upward or downward way based on its size and shape.
Wall sconces
They’re a sleek type of lighting that is attached to the wall for support. With a variety of styles and designs, you can choose a wall sconce that will match your home’s design.
LED strip lighting
Also known as minimalistic lamps, they’re versatile and fancy. They can be attached to the wall or wrapped around a piece of furniture.
