There’s no denying that LED lighting is the most popular choice among homeowners when it comes to bringing more light into their homes. Its various advantages make LEDs popular in commercial buildings as well.But even though choosing the right lighting for your house or office may seem like a pretty straightforward task, that’s not really the case. Currently, you can find a variety of LED lighting products on the market, such as LED tapes and LED light bulbs, but even within the same category lights can differ in, e.g., colour temperature. So what exactly is colour temperature? Why is it important? And which option works best for different room types?
What Is LED Colour Temperature?
Colour temperature is measured in Kelvins (K) and is used to describe the type of light emitted by any given light source – using the colour temperature scale light can be divided into warm, neutral and cool. The rule behind this is quite simple: the higher the temperature, the cooler the light. But since LED lights come with different colour temperatures, you need to pay close attention to which type you’re buying. It’s a very important factor in choosing lights, both for domestic or commercial use, not only because it can give your space a completely different appearance but also because certain places, for example, offices, require specific conditions.
Why Is Choosing the Right Colour Temperature Important?
The same type of lighting can offer significantly different effects depending on the size and purpose of your room as well as its access to natural light throughout the day. For this reason, different situations and locations require solutions chosen with their specific needs in mind. Therefore, when looking for a new light bulb, you shouldn’t make your choice based solely on the brand or price, but carefully check the CCT (Correlated Colour Temperature) specification of any products you’re interested in. It’s an easy way to make sure you don’t end up spending money on cool white bulbs when the brighter light would be more suitable to your needs or the other way around.
In short, paying attention to colour temperatures is important because when it comes to indoor lighting, the way the light appears and affects its surrounding can be just as important as the amount of light it provides.
LED Colour Temperatures
Even though lights are commonly described as warm or cool, many people have trouble understanding what it actually means. Yet without knowing the differences, choosing the right bulb colour temperature for your home or office can be difficult. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve prepared a short guide on LED colour temperatures. Below, you’ll find short descriptions of warm white, cool white and daylight, as well as their most common uses.
Warm White Light (2000K-3000K)
Warm white light is usually preferred for living spaces because its yellow hue can make a room look cosier and more welcoming. That’s why bulbs that fall within this range are most often bought for domestic use, especially in rooms where you aim to create a more relaxing atmosphere. This type of light is similar in appearance to that emitted by incandescent bulbs but gives you all the benefits of LED lighting.
Cool White Light (3100K-4500K)
Bulbs belonging to the cool white range provide a brighter and whiter colour of light. This makes them perfect for any location where good visibility is required, for example, commercial buildings and office spaces. Bright white light can also be used to create task lighting and to give your interior design a more modern and polished finish.
Daylight (4600K-6000K)
As the name suggests, this type of light is very similar in appearance to daylight. It’s a great option for commercial and industrial applications and any place where you want to supplement natural lighting throughout the day or provide the same lighting conditions even after sunset. The brightness of daylight lighting offers ideal conditions for display areas, workstations and security, among others.
What Is the Best Colour Temperature?
The only possible answer to this question is: There is no such thing as the right colour temperature that will work in every case. You can, however, choose the right one for you if you make your choice based on your actual needs, expectations and personal preference. So how can you choose the best light for your home?
As you’ve learnt from the article above, it’s difficult to overstate the importance of finding the most suitable colour temperature for your needs. The colour temperature of light can alter the look of any room, but it can affect its functionality as well! Warmer light can help you create a relaxing atmosphere while choosing lights with higher colour temperature can boost your productivity and give you more energy. And if you want more flexibility, you can look for lights that offer the option to change colour temperature – the light becomes warmer when it’s dimmed down. Choosing the unsuitable colour temperature can heavily influence not only your mood but also the effectiveness of your work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can You Choose the Best LED Colour Temperature?
Before you pick your new LED bulbs, there are two questions you should ask yourself: are you looking for domestic or commercial lighting, and what kind of atmosphere do you want to create? Only after considering your own needs and expectations will you be able to decide whether it’s better to go with warm white, cool white light or daylight options.
What Is the Best LED Light Temperature for Offices?
Warm white lighting has a very calming effect, that’s why it’s generally used in places where you want to relax, for example, living rooms and bedrooms. However, it’s not the type of atmosphere you want in your office because it can bring down your employees’ productivity. For commercial purposes, it’s better to choose cool white lights that can make you feel energised.
Warm White or Cool White – Which Colour Is Better for Your Eyes?
Cool white light is used for task lighting because it helps you see all the details and colours very clearly. But spending extended time in a very bright room can be tiring for your eyes. Warmer light, on the other hand, offers more relaxing conditions.