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Pausito · smart living

Light

How much daylight do I need during the day?

Short answer

For a stable day-night rhythm, researchers advise at least 250 lux melanopic EDI at eye level during the day. Daylight reaches that far more easily than lamps.

Light day: A 24-hour day: at least 250 lx during the day, at most 10 lx in the evening (3 hours before sleep), at most 1 lx melanopic EDI during sleep.
Light day — A 24-hour day: at least 250 lx during the day, at most 10 lx in the evening (3 hours before sleep), at most 1 lx melanopic EDI during sleep. (The text inside the figure is in Dutch.)

Explanation

Plenty of light by day and little in the evening helps the body clock. The 2022 recommendation applies to indoor spaces during the day. In the Netherlands the Buildings Decree (Bbl) sets daylight requirements for new homes. In Belgium the sources we read show no comparable general requirement.

Rules of thumb

  • Daytime: aim for at least 250 lux melanopic EDI, measured vertically at eye level (seated about 1.2 m). [SW-S04]
  • Put a desk or reading chair close to a window. [SW-S04]

Pitfalls

  • Sun shading against heat also reduces daylight; open it when you can (see the heat item). (practical tip, not a source value)

By region

Netherlands
The Bbl requires a minimum equivalent daylight area per habitable area (table 4.146), calculated with NEN 2057. The planned switch to the daylight factor of NEN-EN 17037 will not go ahead. Exact values: Bbl text or the Omgevingsloket portal. [SW-S72]

Search terms

These search terms are in Dutch; only terms that also find a topic in English are links.

daglicht thuiswerken ramen biologische klok

Read also

General information, not personal advice. Check the source and reference date.

Sources

  1. SW-S04 Recommendations for daytime, evening, and nighttime indoor light exposure (Brown e.a., 2022) — PLOS Biology (Reference date 2026-09-27)
  2. SW-S72 Daglichttoetreding: regels bij nieuwbouw — Informatiepunt Leefomgeving (IPLO, Rijksoverheid) (Reference date 2026-09-27)

Reference date: 2026-09-27 · Translated with AI from the Dutch original.