What is a Lumen?
When it comes to getting the right lighting solution for your needs, there are certain specifications you need to carefully consider. One of the most important things to look at when shopping for lights is the specified lumens. But before we get into specifics, let’s break down this question: What are lumens? To put it simply, lumens are a measure of the total amount of visible light to the human eye from a lamp or light source. The higher the lumen rating, the “brighter” the lamp will appear.
5000 Lumens
A lot of people misunderstand lumens and how they affect the outcome of lighting. A common question many people ask is concerning the figure of 5000 lumens. Many people see this as an average starting point for a lamp and assume this is the best ballpark to stay in when shopping, but there is more to it than just picking a number and hoping for the best. So, how bright is 5000 lumens? Is that the right lumens for your needs? Let's take a closer look.
How Bright is 5000 Lumens?
The definition of how bright a set number of lumens will be to the eye depends on several factors. For starters, the size of the space has the most impact on how bright your eyes will perceive the light to be. For example, in a small room, 5000 lumens will feel a lot brighter to the eyes than in a larger room double that size. While a room of 250 square feet will usually require 5000 lumens, it is important to note this is for general lighting and you may still need to add additional light around the room. You should also consider the natural light in the space which will reduce how many lumens you need during the daytime.
Choosing the right lumens is a complex matter with a few variables at play. If you choose a 5000 lumen lamp for the main source of illumination for the space, you run the risk of always having only that level of lumens without taking into consideration the need for different lighting for different tasks. For example, reading by 5000 lumens is one thing but watching a screen or working on a computer at 5000 lumens is another story. It is better to choose several fixtures to create the 5000 lumen target for the size of the space rather than one fixture to give all 5000 lumens. This allows you more control over the lumens in a space for adjusting based on activity or need. You should also consider dimmable options which allow you to control the lumen lights as needed for added versatility.