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Light Temperature Explained: How Warm or Cool Light Impacts Your Space

Lighting can make or break a room. Too bright and the space can look cold and clinical. Too dim, and it not only lacks functionality but makes the room unappealing. That’s why most people deploy layered lighting in their homes, providing a range of light sources to suit their different needs and moods. The problem there, though, is even if you have a choice of lighting types, you still may not be able to create the vibe you’re looking for if you’ve chosen the wrong temperature bulbs. So, what do you need to know?

Understanding Light Temperature and How to Use it in Your Home

What is meant by light temperature?

Light temperature refers to the colour quality of light. Typically measured in Kelvin (K), light temperature can range from warm, yellow-toned to cool, white-blue. And the bulb temperature you choose can impact how your rooms look, feel, and are used.

How do you know which light temperature you’ve chosen?

Light bulbs can be broken down into four main temperature categories.

  • Warm light (2200K to 3000K)—Soft and inviting, with a yellowy tone, warm light is inherently cosy. It’s the next best thing to candlelight if you’re looking to create real ambience. In fact, many would say that it’s better because it brings the beauty without the fire risk!

  • Neutral light (3500K to 4500K)—This is the ambient ceiling light that most of us have in our homes. Midway between warm and cool, it’s practical without being overpowering, which is what most of us want when we’re getting ready for work.

  • Cool light (5000K to 6500K)—Not quite daylight bright, cool light is still characterised by a mild bluish tint. This is the colour temperature you’ll have in your office and probably in the ambient lighting in your bathroom.

  •  Daylight (6500K plus)—This is as close to natural light as you can get in a bulb. It’s clear, bright light with a white-blue tone. It’s not the smallest bit relaxing and will usually be used in spaces where lighting is paramount. But it can be really useful if you need to energise a space or work with perfect colour accuracy.

How do you know which light temperature to use?

Your choice of light temperature should be governed by what you want from your space. Warmer lighting is more relaxing, while cooler lights can help you feel more alert and focused. So, it can be a good idea to let a room’s function guide your lighting choices.

However, it’s worth remembering that most rooms are used for different things at different times of day. And that’s where layering your lighting can come into play. In a bathroom, for example, most people opt for bright, cool, or neutral overhead lighting and around the vanity unit for busy mornings—shaving, makeup, and contact lenses. But if you want to unwind in a bath, cool lighting is the worst! So, that’s where you might strike a balance with warm wall lights, like the Vesilo. Or maybe even plinth lighting.

Lighting temperature tips

  1. Don’t mix light temperatures. You won’t necessarily want or need to have the same light temperature in all of the different lights within a room. However, it’s never a good idea to mix temperatures in lights you’re likely to use together. It can make the room feel unsettling and off-balance. So, if you have two pendant ceiling lights in one room, make sure that they have the same bulb type. If you use lamps to create ambience in the evening, again choose a single temperature that works for you.

  2. Lampshades matter. It might seem obvious, but the lamp shades you choose will impact the light levels in your room. If you have thick, dark lampshades that enclose most of the bulb, even daylight bulbs will struggle to illuminate your space. So, match your lampshades with your light requirements.

  3. Dimmable lights can be invaluable. Whether you use dimmable bulbs or lights with built-in dimmers, dimmable lighting can give you real flexibility. Allowing you to change your light levels—and ambience—at will. Something that is particularly useful for pendant bar lights that may be used over a dining table or breakfast bar, where lighting requirements may vary.

  4. Beware of the Colour Rendering Index (CRI). If you’re looking for lighting for a studio, you may need light that’s going to give you the best possible colour accuracy. While daylight bulbs are your best recourse here, you may want to go one step further, which is where CRI comes in. The CRI indicates how accurately colours are rendered under that light. The higher the CRI, the more accurate the rendering.

 

Understanding light temperature can change the ambience of your home. And how you use it. So, before you next buy light bulbs, or decide on an LED installation, think twice about light temperature and how you want your home to feel.

 

View the complete online Lighting Range at Lighting R Us or visit our Wolverhampton showroom today!

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