Each room in your home has a different mood. Both LED lighting colours and temperature can have an impact on your mood. For example, your kitchen might require a fresh feeling, and as such colour temperature in the range 4,000K might be perfect for it. In contrast, your living room might be a place which you mainly use to relax, meaning warm lighting (3,000K and below) might be a good option.
When you shop for LED lights, it’s crucial to consider three things:
- Light colour temperature
- Colour temperature scale
- Colour recommendations for individual spaces in your home
Basics of LED Colour Temperature Explained
Browsing through the lighting section of your local store, you’ll likely notice each LED light packaging has a colour temperature. Different colour temperature correspond to different hues of white. The base unit of measurement for colour temperature is Kelvin (K). Typically, LED colour temperatures range from 2000K (very warm emitting yellowish light) to 5000K (cool with a blueish hue). For residential spaces, anything above 5000K is rarely used. In fact, most homes don’t require more than 4,000K (cool white or natural white).
Guidelines for Proper Colour Temperature for Different Rooms
LED lighting come in an array of colours. However, when speaking in terms of colour temperature, you’ve three key colours of choice. These are:
- Warm – Colour temperature of 3000K or less
- Neutral – This would be in the range of 3000K – 4000K
- Cool – Anything in the range of 4000K and more
Unless someone deals with lighting on everyday basis, it’s quiet likely that they won’t know what they need for their specific use — and that’s okay. Keep in mind the general guidelines listed here, and you’ll do just fine.
Generally speaking, LED lighting over 4000K is mostly used in a medical or hospital setting because it’s bright. However, you may consider colour temperatures in the vicinity of 4000K for certain spaces in your home, such as:
- Home office
- Kitchen
- Garage
Whenever you want to perform detailed tasks, you should consider brighter lighting, such as 3700K or 4000K Led Light bulbs. LED lighting in the range of 5000K is rarely (if ever) used in residential settings. They are usually seen only in commercial spaces and give a blueish hue.
Neutral Colours
Neutral LED lighting can be accurately described as warm white and is welcoming and warm. Most commonly, you’ll see it in vanities and overhead lighting, though some people also like to use neutral LED light bulbs in bathrooms and entryways.
Those who prefer LED bulbs that produce lighting which is similar to halogen lamps should aim for 3000K – 3500K.
Many people have become familiar with seeing halogen bulbs in residential settings. If you’re one of them, using LED light bulbs with a colour temperature ranging 3000K – 3500K is something worth considering. These bulbs give you warm white light, which is the hallmark of halogen bulbs, along with significantly higher energy-efficiency and longer durability.
Warm Colours
LED light bulbs in the range of 3000K emits warm lighting. If you’re looking for cosy, inviting colour, opting for 2700K LED bulbs instead of 3000K might be a better option. These bulbs are most commonly used in living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms.
Some good options for warm light bulbs are:
- Table lamps
- Floor lamps
- Chandeliers
- Pendants
When selecting the appropriate colour temperature for LED lighting, it’s important you select different colour temperature for different spaces, depending on how you’ll use them. So, it’s important to pick colours on a room by room basis. A warmer colour in a living room or dining room is usually a great option while a home office usually needs a cooler colour since it is ideal for detail-oriented jobs.
LED Lighting Impacts Wall Colours
Your choice of LED lighting is going to have an impact on wall colours. General rule of thumb is:
- Soft lighting tends to make bright colours look more intense. If your walls are painted red, yellow, or orange, soft lighting will intensify the effect of these colours. In contrast, gray, blue, and green walls will likely look duller when combined with soft lighting.
- Warmer lighting typically works exceedingly well with warm paint colours such as yellow, orange, or red. Because it adds an amber hue to a space, warm lighting enhances the richness of warm paint colours.
- Cooler lighting, in contrast, make for a good choice for gray, blue, or green walls.
Experimenting with lighting colour is a smart way of changing a room’s appearance. Lumen output tends to play a significant role in how the paint on the walls gets accentuated.
What is the LED Kelvin Range for Different Rooms?
There are no hard and fast rules for LED Kelvin range for each room. But there are some general guidelines for both residential and commercial settings. The recommendations for residential spaces are as follows:
- Bedrooms look at their best usually with warmer lighting in the range of 2700K – 3000K)
- Bathrooms typically require lighting in the 3000K to 4000K range
- Dining rooms tend to do well with warmer colours
- Living rooms are a perfect choice for LED lighting with a colour temperature of 3000K or under
- Kitchens often require a combination of different colour ranges. For instance, choosing a 4000K LED bulb over the kitchen counter could be a good choice, whereas other spaces in the kitchen might need warmer colours (2700K to 3000K)
- Garages and home offices typically require colour temperatures in the range of 4000K. Depending on your preferences, you may even give a 5000K LED bulb a try
In case you are unsure about which colour temperature to pick, consider dimmable LED light bulbs. You can change the brightness of these bulbs as per your needs. Dimmable LED light bulbs are usually a great choice for kitchens and living rooms, but don't forget to use them LED-specific dimmers for the best results. For instance, you can increase the brightness of your kitchen LED lighting when preparing food and reduce it while having a brunch sitting at the kitchen island in the night.
The right LED lighting colour can enhance a space, all the while making it easier for you to use it for different purposes. Opting for dimming options gives you even greater flexibility.