Residential Lighting — A Ready Reckoner for Architects & Designers
- Jan 15
- 2 min read
A quick-reference guide for architects, interior designers and homeowners planning residential lighting. Residential light is warm, layered and personal — comfort and mood matter more than raw brightness. Values below are indicative targets for early-stage design; always confirm with a detailed calculation.
Recommended lighting by room
Room | Illuminance (lux) | CCT | CRI | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Living room (ambient) | 100–300 | 2700K | ≥90 | Layered; dimmable; add reading task at 200–300 lux. |
Kitchen (general) | 300 | 3000K | ≥90 | Counters/task 500 lux, under-cabinet, no shadows on the worktop. |
Dining | 150–300 | 2700K | ≥90 | Pendant over table; dimmable; the social focal point. |
Bedroom (ambient) | 100–150 | 2700K | ≥90 | Bedside/reading 200–300 lux; everything dimmable. |
Bathroom + mirror | 300–500 | 2700–3000K | ≥90 | Vertical light at the face; avoid overhead-only shadows. |
Study / home office | 500 | 4000K | ≥80 | Task-focused, low glare, screen-friendly. |
Wardrobe / dressing | 300 | 2700–3000K | ≥90 | True colour for clothes and skin. |
Corridor / stairs | 100–150 | 2700K | ≥80 | Even, low-glare, safe; night-level option. |
Outdoor / facade | low | 2700K | ≥80 | Warm, shielded, glare-controlled; respect neighbours & sky. |
Ten principles for residential light
Layer every room — ambient + task + accent + decorative. Never rely on one central fitting.
2700K is home. Warm white throughout; keep it consistent within a sightline.
Dim everything. A home lives across morning, evening and night — one bright level fits none of them.
CRI ≥90 wherever skin, food, art or materials are seen.
Put task light where life happens — kitchen counters, reading chairs, the bathroom mirror, the desk.
Light the vertical — walls, art and faces — to make rooms feel larger and warmer.
Design for the evening. Warm, low, layered light at night is what makes a home feel like one.
Add scene / smart control — "welcome", "dinner", "movie", "night" — set once, enjoyed daily.
Respect daylight. Orientation changes each room's brief; let electric light respond, not fight it.
Keep outdoor warm and shielded — safety and beauty without glare or light pollution.
Specification checklist
Layered scheme per room · 2700K default · dimming everywhere
CRI ≥90 in living, dining, bath, dressing · task light at kitchen/mirror/desk/reading
Glare control · scene/smart control · safe stair & night lighting · warm shielded outdoor
Planning a home? Sketch Lighting designs and manufactures bespoke, custom fixtures for residences across India.
Talk to us — connect@sketchlighting.com · WhatsApp +91 98183 78400.
Indicative values for early-stage design guidance, aligned with common practice and EN 12464-1 principles. Confirm against project brief, local codes and a detailed lighting calculation. © Sketch Lighting.
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