When it comes to outdoor lighting, you may find it difficult to choose the right light source since each area has different brightness requirements. So, how many lumens do I need for outdoor lighting?
People use outdoor lighting mainly for three reasons: to illuminate the outdoors to avoid accidents and mishaps, keep their area secure, and enhance the beauty of their landscapes.
You should know the brightness needs for security, aesthetics, and general purposes to make the right lighting choice. To save you the trouble, we have enlisted the number of required lumens for different outdoor spaces. But let’s first find what a lumen is.
What actually is a lumen?
Initially, people used to express the strength of a lamp in the unit watt. Watt is actually the unit of power. So, watt was mostly used to tell how much electrical power a light bulb consumes to produce a certain brightness. A light bulb of high intensity light used to consume more energy and had higher wattage.
With the invention of LEDs, it is now possible to have more brightness with less energy.
Now, the use of lumen units has become more prevalent. This unit tells us how much light energy a bulb or light source is emitting. Manufacturers write the number of lumens that a light source emits on its packaging so you can read the package to find the light intensity of newly bought light bulbs.
In short, we can say that the wattage of a light source tells us the amount of electrical power a light source is consuming. On the other hand, lumens tell us about the intensity or brightness of a light source no matter how much power it consumes.
Lumens of commonly used lights
Below is the list of the lumens that lights we commonly use produce. Go through this list to have an idea of the relation between brightness and lumens of common light sources.
- Lamp posts generate 120 to 180 lumens
- Step lights generate 12 to 100 lumens
- Path lights produce 100 to 200 lumens
- Hardscape lights produce 50 to 185 lumens
- Landscape lights on the wall produce 50 to 300 lumens
- Landscape spotlights produce 120 to 850 lumens
- Motion sensor lights produce 300 to 700 lumens
- Pool lights produce 200 to 400 lumens
- Floodlights produce 700 to 1,300 lumens
How many lumens do you need for outdoor lighting?
Outdoor lighting needs vary from one area to another. Lumens for outdoor lighting will vary by need. The outdoor lighting system is designed such that it lights up each area according to its individual requirements.
Below is the list that explains the number of lumens a specific outdoor space needs.
Lumens for trees
The type of lighting you need for trees is mainly used to enhance the beauty of trees in the dark. It is not used for security purposes. Therefore, a light source having a low lumen output would be enough for trees.
Use outdoor lights producing 50 to 300 lumens on your lawn trees.
Lumens for a garage
The type of lighting used in the garage is called task lighting. It lights only a specific area to help the passersby see clearly and perform the task.
The amount of light or lumens you need for your garage depends on its size. Experts recommend using at least 50 lumens for one square foot for working visible light.
Since a garage is a place that people visit often, it is important to illuminate them with a bright light. If your garage is for one car, then go for LED bulbs or incandescent bulbs that produce 13,000 lumens. On the other hand, if it is for two cars, use lighting that generates 20,000 lumens.
Lumens for a landscape
The lighting in landscapes and lawns is not to provide them with security but to enhance their beauty. So, there is no need to install security lights in the landscapes.
You should try creating an artistic and cozy appearance in the landscape with your selection of garden lights. Start with the LED lights that produce 50 lumens and check their effect. Increase the lumen up to 300 for the landscape lighting based on how you want it to look like.
If a bush is near the front door, you should try a brighter light of 200 to 300 lumens.
Lumens for steps
Stair lights are designed to be placed one on each stair. They put light mainly on your feet. Their function is to enlighten the place where you place your feet and not to enlighten the whole stairway. That is why these lights are small and produce only a few lumens (10 to 100 lumens).
Since stair lights have low brightness, make sure you use high brightness lights on the walls of the stairway to enlighten the area properly.
Lumens for a driveway
A driveway is a place that requires high security. So, install a LED light, incandescent light bulb, or any other light source that produces 1,600 lumens in your small driveway.
Lumens motion sensor lights sense your motion and enlighten the area when someone passes underneath them. Using sensor lights can help you save electricity and lower your electricity bills. For better security, it is preferable to use this light with a driveway light of 1,600 lumens.
Lumens for a patio
The number of lumens for a patio depends on your personal preferences and the size of your patio. If you want to make it look cozy, then avoid brighter lights.
For a small patio, it is best to start from 600 lumens and go up to 800. For a larger patio, choose lumens ranging from 1,200 to 1,600.
In addition to main patio lighting, you can also use solar or string lights to enhance the beauty of your patio. String lights of 50 lumens and hanging lights of around 100 lumens would suffice.
Lumens for a pool
Pool lights should be less bright to make the pool look cozy and comfortable. Start with 200 lumens and increase it up to 400 if you experience trouble having a clear view at night.
To enlighten the pool area, you can use 2,000 lumens light. If you think it is causing light pollution for neighbors, you can install them on the ground as horizontal lighting.
Lumens for floodlight
Floodlights are usually used to enlighten outdoor pathways, billboards, or areas around factories or commercial properties. Floodlights for outdoor use can have lumens as high as 14,000, but this high brightness is recommended for commercial use.
For an outdoor pathway or any other smaller area, you can use floodlights ranging from 700 to 1,300 lumens based on your needs.
Are LED lights good for outdoor use?
LED lights are a great choice for outdoor spaces due to their multiple benefits. They come in different forms and lumens, making it easier to choose light according to your needs. They are energy-saving which can help you lower your electricity bill significantly.
LED lights are durable and long-lasting, which means you will not have to invest in them every other year.
Conclusion
Brightness in outdoor space depends on your personal preferences. But having an idea of the suitable number of lumens for different purposes and areas can help you give your outdoor space a sophisticated look.
You can combine lights of different intensities to give any outdoor area your desired look. LED bulbs are a great choice for outdoors as they consume less electricity and are long-lasting. Consider your outdoor lighting choices carefully to create a subtle look that neither dazzles you or your neighbors.