Lighting & Wellbeing: Understanding Lumens, Colour & Calm

Lighting is one of the simplest ways to change how a space feels. It shapes atmosphere, enhances colour, and quietly supports our sense of wellbeing. I often think of it as the emotional undercurrent of a room — something you might not consciously notice when it’s right, but that changes everything when it’s not.

Yet standing in front of a wall of light bulbs, faced with numbers and jargon, can feel anything but calming. Understanding just a few basics makes it much easier to choose light that not only looks beautiful but feels right, too — the kind that brings warmth and calm to everyday life.

Three Numbers to Know

When you’re choosing lighting, three numbers are worth understanding: Kelvin, Lumens, and CRI.

Kelvin (K) measures the colour temperature of light — in other words, how warm or cool it feels. At the lower end (around 1800 to 2400K) you get that soft, candlelit glow that instantly slows the pace of a room. Step up to 2700 or 3000K and you have a warm white that feels homely and inviting — perfect for living rooms or bedrooms. Neutral white, at around 3500 to 4000K, suits kitchens and bathrooms where freshness matters but you still want comfort. Anything above 5000K feels crisp and cool, best kept for studios or spaces where you need clarity and focus.

Then there’s Lumens (lm), which tell you how bright the light is. A soft pool of light from a table lamp might only need 400 or 500 lumens, while general lighting like ceiling pendants often sit around 800 to 1000. For focused work — a kitchen island, perhaps, or a desk — you’ll want something brighter again, closer to 1200 lumens or more.

Lastly, CRI (Colour Rendering Index) measures how faithfully light reveals true colour. I always recommend bulbs with a CRI of 90 or higher. They make fabrics, paint colours and natural materials look as they should — rich, balanced and real.

The Layers of Light

Good lighting isn’t about one perfect fitting; it’s about balance. I think of it as layering moods — creating spaces that can shift with the rhythm of the day.

Ambient lighting is the foundation. It’s your general light — the even wash that fills a room and lets everything breathe. This might come from ceiling pendants, track lighting, or discreet recessed fittings. I tend to keep this layer warm and diffused, never harsh or glaring, so that it feels like daylight on a gentle afternoon rather than a spotlight.

Task lighting brings clarity and focus where you need it — over a worktop, a desk, or a reading corner. It’s practical but doesn’t need to feel clinical. I often balance a brighter, neutral white task light with a softer side lamp so the space stays calm and inviting even when it’s working hard.

And then there’s accent lighting, which is where the magic happens. Wall sconces, picture lights, small table lamps or even the flicker of a candle — these are the touches that draw the eye and give a room its mood. In the evening, I love how these smaller pockets of light seem to slow everything down; they invite you to rest, to sit, to exhale.

Lighting for Different Spaces

Room	Colour (Kelvin)	Brightness (Lumens)	Tip
Living room	2700K warm white	800–1000 per bulb	Layer lamps for flexibility and warmth.
Bedroom	2400–2700K	400–600	Keep it low-level and soothing — bedside lamps or wall lights work beautifully.
Kitchen	3000–3500K	1000–1600	Combine ceiling and under-cabinet lighting for function and comfort.
Home office	3500–4000K	800–1200	Neutral light to stay alert, with a warmer lamp nearby for softer balance.
Bathroom	3000–4000K	800–1200	Choose IP-rated fittings and add focused mirror lighting for clarity.

Designer Tips

In my own projects, I always think about how light will make a space feel at different times of day. Morning light that energises; evening light that unwinds. It’s one of the simplest ways to support a sense of wellbeing at home.

A dimmer switch can transform the mood in seconds — bright for breakfast, soft for winding down. I also love using natural materials like linen or parchment shades to diffuse light gently; they create that hazy, ambient glow that feels timeless and human.

Painting window reveals in lighter tones helps bounce natural light deeper into the room, while keeping shadow in the mix adds texture and calm. Too much even light can make a space feel flat — shadow is what gives it soul.

When lighting feels right, home feels right. It’s what shapes the in-between moments — the quiet cup of tea, the evening read, the dinner that lingers. Thoughtful lighting doesn’t shout; it supports. It makes us feel grounded, rested, and connected to the rhythm of our days.

Part of the Design for Wellbeing series by No Ordinary House. Want help redesigning your home to work better for you? Get in touch with us at noordinaryhouse@gmail.com—we’d love to hear about your space.

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