Which LED light is better for the bedroom, living room, and bathroom — warm white or cool white? We often get asked this question, so we decided to take it up in this blog post.
Colour Temperature — why does it matter?
In simple terms, colour temperature refers to the appearance of light that a light bulb provides. It is measured in Kelvins and can be different for different LED light bulbs. Colour temperature provides information regarding the light quality emitted by a light bulb. Since the feel and look of a space can get affected a lot by colour temperature, it is crucial that you pick the right colour temperature depending on the mood which you wish to create.
When it comes to LED light bulbs, there are three common ranges: Daylight (its colour temperature range is 5000K – 6500K), Cool White (its colour temperature range is 3000K – 5000K) and Warm Light (its colour temperature range is 2700K – 3000K).
A lower colour temperature is associated with a warmer and a more relaxing glow. On the other hand, higher the temperature is, the cooler the lighting will be.
Warm White
When it comes to illuminating a space, warm white LED bulbs are very popular. That’s because a warm white light emits a nice hue with a soft yellow glow, which is ideal for creating a relaxing and warm ambient lighting effect. If you want homely, subtle tones in your living room, bedroom, or dining room, white light can be a great option since it will give the space a traditional relaxing, warm feel.
Cool White
By contrast, if you want a vibrant and a much brighter colour temperature, cool white LED light bulbs might be right up your alley. With refreshing and clean tones, cool white colour temperature better suits a bright contemporary home. That’s because bright light complements modern décor more effectively. Cool white bulbs are a clever addition to environments like home-offices and kitchens. With their slight bluish tones they make for a great choice for task lighting.
Strategies for selecting right colour temperatures for your LED fixtures
Kitchen
Since work in a kitchen requires attention, using cool white LED lights is a great option.
Living Room
The living room is a place where your family and guests can sit back and relax, so warm light LED light bulbs are a better option.
Dining Room
This is one place where you might want to use both as you want the dining room to have a relaxing atmosphere but would also like to keep everyone attentive for eating and conversing. That’s why we recommend a combination of accent lighting (like a chandelier with a warm white LED bulb over the dining table) and general lighting using cool white LED bulbs
Bathrooms
Cool white colour temperature goes well with bathrooms since it gives them a clean, crisp feel. We recommend you to opt for dimmable LED lights for bathrooms. That will allow you to adjust the light level according to your needs, bright light for applying cosmetics or shaving and soft light for middle-of-the-night bathroom visits.
Hallways/Bedrooms
These two are main areas in the house where light will be on at night For this reason, we recommend you to go for warm light LED bulbs. They will help you relax and prepare for a good night’s sleep.
Office/Study
The office/study area is where you would want lighting to promote attention and focus. Cool white LED lights are a great option for your office/study room.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best LED colour temperature?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The right colour temperature depends on your needs. Having said that, for most indoor general lighting applications, a color temperature of 2700–3600 K is usually recommended.
What colour LED light is best for sleeping?
Red light colour is considered most suitable for sleep given its low colour temperature, which promotes sleep and doesn’t hinder melatonin production.
What LED colour most closely mimics sunlight?
Natural White Light (3500K to 4500K) emits light which closely mimics sunlight. These bulbs are a good option for dark places, like basements, which don’t get much natural light.