07/06/2021
Asking 'Which colour temperature is best?' is a bit like asking 'What colour should I paint my wall?' 😇
There is no right or wrong answer. The right colour temperature comes down to personal preference, the room you are lighting, and what you're used to.
Here are a few tips to help you make the best choice.
💡1. Colour Temperature & Heat Temperature
The way we describe colour temperature is the opposite to how we talk about heat temperature.
The higher the colour temperature on the Kelvin Scale, the 'cooler' the colour. The lower the colour temperature, the 'warmer' the colour.
💡2. The Colour Temperature Numbers Are What Matter Most
Colour temperature is expressed as a four-digit number in the unit kelvin, using the symbol K. For example, 2700K, 3000K, 4000K or 6500K.
Lighting manufacturers also like to use words such as warm white, cool white or daylight to describe these colours.
💡3. The International Colour Temperature Code
Be aware that colour temperature is often specified as a code like 830, 840 or 965. This is often the case with LED or Fluro Tubes. These codes combine two lighting specifications into one: colour rendition and colour temperature.
The first number refers to colour rendition:
8 = colour rendering index Ra 80 – 89
9 = colour rendering index Ra 90 – 100
The second and third numbers refer to colour temperature, for example:
27 = 2700K
30 = 3000K
40 = 4000K
50 = 5000K
65 = 6500K
💡4. The Difference Between Warm and Cool Lights
Generally, 'warm white' is atmospheric and 'cool white' is practical.
The choice of colour temperature can be used to create certain moods in your space. This is similar to how certain colours have cultural connotations (e.g. red = passion, blue = calm).
Lower colour temperatures are considered 'warm' because they remind us of fire or candlelight. Warm white colour temperatures can be used to create a cosy atmosphere in bedrooms, cafes and restaurants. This colour temperature is also described as soft white.
💡5. Colour Temperature Consistency is Key
Colour temperature discrepancies are more obvious when two bulbs of different colours are placed next to each other. Mismatched lighting can seem incongruous. So whatever you choose, try to keep the colour consistent within a space. For example, all the downlights in one ceiling should match.
This may create a problem in open plan living, where the kitchen and living areas are in the same room. A cooler colour like 4000K might work in the kitchen, but could seem too stark for the lounge. Likewise, a warm colour like 2700K might be great for the living area, but not practical enough for working in the kitchen. In this case, meeting in the middle at 3000K is a good compromise and keeps the light consistent throughout the space.
💡6. Stick with what you are used to
When in doubt, check the small print on the bulbs or tubes that you already own to see what their colour temperature is. It is usually at the back of the bulbs.
Life is wonderful when we get to preset the mood in our own living spaces 🥰
Fifteen Interior Design