Table of Contents
Read the full guide in slides, and download it:
There are 4 parameters you need to paying attention to when you will be choosing your bulbs:
- Lumens
- Color temperature
- Beam Angle
- CRI (Color Rendering Index)
1- Lumens:
Lumens, often labeled as “brightness”. It specifies how much visible light the bulb emits.
To calculate the amount of lumens you need, here’s the formula:
Total Lumens =
Island’s length (ft) x Island’s width (ft) x Lumens per square foot
The amount of lumens per square foot depends on the usage of the pendants. Are you using them as:
- Task lighting: food prep, reading, working, ....
- Ambient lighting: eating meals, chatting with family and friends
- Both.
- For Task lighting: 70–80 lumens per square footto ensure sufficient illumination for detailed tasks.
- For Ambient lighting: 30–40 lumens per square foot.
- Both: A good middle ground would be 50–60 lumens per square foot.
Lumens Per Pendant
=
Total Lumens / Number of Pendants Used
2- Color Temperature:
Color temperature is a measure of the light's color appearance, expressed in Kelvin (K), indicating whether the light is warm (yellowish) or cool (bluish).
- 4000-5000K: Cool white, great for bright task light
- 2700-3000K: Warm and inviting, good for dining and gatherings.
- 3500-4000K: Neutral white, balanced for multi-purpose kitchens..
3- Beam Angle:
it determines the spread of light emitted, influencing how light covers your kitchen island
The beam angle varies depending on the lighting purpose, use the table to define the beam angle you need.
4- CRI (Color Rendering Index):
It’s a measure of how accurately a light source renders colors compared to natural sunlight. It is rated on a scale of 0 to 100, with higher values indicating better color accuracy.
CRI for Kitchen Island Lighting:
5- Bulb Type
LEDs are the most recommended choice. They are highly energy-efficient, long-lasting, and available in a variety of brightness levels (lumens) and color temperatures to suit different needs.
