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Home/Magazine/How to choose a powerful outdoor spot?
Spots & Built-in · March 2026 · 6 min reading

How to choose a powerful outdoor spot?

Lumens, IP, lighting angle, power supply: the 4 criteria that decide whether your spot survives in winter.

C
Team Lumihome
Published on 12 March 2026
How to choose a powerful outdoor spot?

A good outdoor spot is not just an eye-catching one. Four technical criteria determine whether it will really last in time, resist the seasons and deliver the light you need.

1. Lumens, not watts

The wattage indicates the consumption, not the brightness. For the actual brightness, it is the lumen which counts:

  • 10 – 80 lumens: decorative tags, atmosphere
  • 100 – 300 lumens: terminals and aisle appliqués
  • 500 – 1,500 lumens: entrance, garage, parking
  • 2000+ lumens: projectors, large facades, safety

2. The IP index, the only guarantee of waterproofness

The IP is a two-digit code: dust, then water. For external use in France, aim at a minimum IP44. For ground lighting near a gutter or swimming pool, IP65 or more.

Lumihome publishes the exact IP on each product sheet. No marketing round.

3. Solar, 230V or 12V?

Three solutions, three cases of use. The solar is unbeatable for flexibility and zero cost but depends on the sun. The 230V guarantees constant power but requires a connection (and often an electrician). The 12V low voltage is ideal around the swimming pools and for secure self-installation.

4. Manufacturing quality

Failures do not come from LEDs — they come from joints, motion sensor (UV ageing), battery (12 to 24 months on cheap models) and foot (rust). stainless steel or heat-lapped aluminium, with replaceable lithium battery.

Recommended product

Spot outdoor LED picket DEC–GL5BC

230V · 300 lumens · IP65 · Hot white 3500K

View product →

In summary

For an outdoor spot that lasts: lumens adapted to your use, IP44 minimum (65 if direct exposure), consistent power supply with your project, and quality materials. Lumihome masteres the 4 criteria on the entire range.

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Eclairage Exterieur

What lumen power to choose for your outdoor lighting

Lumihome Tips · 6 min reading
What lumen power to choose for your outdoor lighting

 

For successful outdoor lighting, many criteria are to be taken into account, in the image of the design of the luminaire, its IP, the temperature of the color it diffuses, but that is not all. It is also important to know what intensity to choose. Indeed, you will not choose the same luminous intensity for thelighting an outdoor terrace, illuminate an entrance, or mark a path. Moreover, one must not confuse power with luminous intensity.
So how to find yourself there? How to choose the right intensity for its exterior lighting? We help you understand the lumen power in this guide. 

 

What is a lumen? 

 

First of all, it is important to dwell for a moment on the definition of the term lumen. Pronunciated "luminene", this common word whose symbol is summed up with the letters The light bulbs are now ubiquitous, and it is therefore the light flow that needs to be taken into account, and therefore the lumen. It is the light bulb that will allow to compare the luminous performance of the different lighting solutions.

To know exactly how many lumens you need to illuminate a particular space, there is a formula that consists of multiplying the number of lux by the number of square meters involved. Rest assured, we will save you the use of this learned formula thanks to our detailed advice that tells you what intensity to choose according to the external element to be illuminated. 

 

Choosing the right power is essential to bring successful lighting to your garden. Not all luminaires must be (too) powerful. 

 

 

What luminous intensity do you choose to illuminate the spaces to live in?

 

How many lumens to light up a terrace?

The terrace is an exceptional place that allows you to enjoy the sweet summer evenings with friends, to dine in love, or to share a moment of conviviality with your family. To choose the luminous intensity that your terrace requires, you will need to know its dimensions. Indeed, the main difficulty will be to find a balance between a sufficient light that will allow you to enjoy this space, and a sieve lighting that will avoid dazzling guests while creating a pleasant atmosphere.
Therefore, if your terrace is relatively small, i.e. less than 20 square meters, we recommend you choose a luminous intensity of about 100 lumens.
If on the contrary it is rather spacious, you can opt for a lighting of more than 500 lumens, provided you distribute the light well and multiply the luminous points.

For this purpose, the Lumihome built-in LED spots can meet your needs.

"For example, the 12cm range is perfect for lighting large terraces thanks to its powerful but balanced light flow of 630 lumens. In addition, you can also opt for the solar LED or 230V terminals of the Lumihome range, which will define the contours of your terrace while bringing more height to the light.

Christophe Coelho.

The exterior appliqués are also an excellent choice. Fitted with the wall, they elegantly overlook the terraces for a unique and warm effect. 

 

The lighting power of the pool approaches

The pool is a living space, as is the terrace, so you will have to avoid overpowering this area in light. First of all, it is important to locate your lighting near your pool. Will it limit an alley leading to the water body? Will it be placed at ground level? If the answer is yes, then you will have to opt for a pool spot too bright would dazzle guests and pose a danger. Therefore, we recommend a maximum luminous flux of 200 lumens.

The lighting solutions of the Lumihome range allow you to benefit from suitable lighting and easy to install thanks to easyIn addition, thanks to new generation joints, Lumihome pool lighting solutions benefit from enhanced waterproofing


 

What luminous intensity do you choose to illuminate decorative elements?

 

Putting forward a tree, a massif, a landscape square can help to enhance your exterior. The shrubs, plants and flower beds require purely decorative lighting. Indeed, the objective is not to light up these elements in their proper sense, but rather to highlight them and bring them out once the night falls. The luminous intensity and the number of lumens will therefore depend on the effect you want to bring.

The LED picket spots from the 230V Lumihome range are specially designed to highlight and magnify plant elements with targeted luminous intensity. With the advantage of installing in a few moments since you only have to spot and plug it in. It's hard to make it easier! 

Depending on the size of the element to be illuminated, but also on certain details such as the colors of its foliage, you can choose a different intensity and a specific lighting color: white or RGB.

 

How many lumens do you choose for functional lighting and/or dissuasive lighting? 

 

The ideal lighting power to achieve a markup

To mark a garden alley, a road, or even a garage descent, you will need to create functional lighting, which will aim to facilitate access and allow entry to the home without dazzling the inhabitants. Indeed, excessive light would be unproductive. It could create the opposite effect, and instead of guiding and securing the steps of the guests, it could prove dangerous. So you have to opt for light little or medium powerful. Don't forget to place your beacons at regular intervals, i.e. in the spacer 2 to 4 meters along the driveway.

"For this use, you can opt for solar terminals explains Christophe Coelho, which easily install on the ground and do not require 230V network. You can also use built-in lighting solutions from the ground, not to mention not to exceed 100 lumens per luminaire, the aim being simply to orient yourself.

Finally, the marking can be abused by repeated passages of vehicles, be vigilant and choose carrossable spots. For example, the Lumihome spots resist a pressure of one tonne.

 

What luminous intensity to light a porch or entrance?

The surroundings of your home, your entrance porch or the garage access door are strategic places, so they require powerful and dissuasive lighting. First, it must allow you to quickly find your keys once the night falls, or to easily spot the hole in the lock. But, lighting will also have to secure your entrance and your exteriors.

If you choose to apply it, it will have to produce a light intensity of at least 300 lumens. This solution can be combined with a presence detection system for an ideal anti-intrusion effect. The models in the Lumihome range are particularly suitable since their intensity increases when a presence is detected. L-apply Luna Lumihome LED is also equipped with a motion detector and a twilight switch that activates from twilight or if a presence is detected - I'm sorry.


 

You know more about the power expressed in lumens thanks to this guide. The outdoor lighting solutions have a certain cost. It is therefore important to study all the criteria carefully before making your choice. It would be a shame to invest in luminaires that do not bring the desired effect. And for a 100% suitable lighting, do not hesitate to discover all of our guides and to discover the results of the project. seek inspiration for a well-lit garden.

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