GUIDE TO COLOUR TEMPERATURE AND IT’S IMPORTANCE

Every light you buy, whether it’s a Halogen, LED, or even an HID lamp, will have a colour
temperature. This unit is measured in Kelvins (K), where the higher the Kelvin, the whiter the light is. It’s used to describe the hue or ‘temperature’ of a globes light – that is, how warm or cool it appears. All normal globes have a colour temperature, and shouldn’t be confused with RGB coloured lights.

Now, you may be wondering why Colour Temperature is such an important aspect of lighting – the answer being simple. This measurement can drastically change how the atmosphere of a room appear when lit.

The Basics:

While “colour temperature” measures the “warmth” and “coolness” of light, the actual measurement scale is very different from how we measure degrees. The lower the Kelvin, the warmer or more orange the light, and the higher the Kelvin, the bluer.

Warm light gives off an orange or yellow light, while cooler light is blue or even greenish.The middle ground, cool white, which is around the 4000K mark, is a neutral white light.

Certain Kelvin is more common than others, and have a standard name given to them within the lighting industry; you can find some examples on the chart below:

Colour Temperature                            Name
6000K - 6500K                                    Daylight
4000K                                                  Cool White/Neutral White
2,500 - 3000K                                      Warm White

Consider Your Space: 

As mentioned above, the colour temperature of your globe can drastically affect the way your space looks. For example, a cool, blueish light in the living area may make it feel too clinical, while a dull, warm light in the kitchen will make it harder to see. This is because warmer lights tend to have a lower lumen output than your bright daylight globes. Remember Darker colours absorb more light, so it is best to factor this into choosing all your LED light bulbs. Use the examples below to help you decide which colour temperature is best for your space: 

2500K-3000K - Warm White Light gives off a golden glow. It closely mimics the feeling of a candle or firelight. Due to this, it’s best for use in bedrooms and living areas, where a cozy, comforting aesthetic is most appreciated. Because it tends to offer lower illumination, it is also used as accent lighting. It’s also likely to be seen in hotels or restaurants where a warm, welcoming atmosphere is wanted.

3100K-4500K: Cool White/Neutral White is the middle ground for your choices. This light is neither warm or cold, but rather similar to sunlight. Great for areas such as the kitchen, bathroom, and studies – this is an all-purpose lighting temperature and the safe bet if you’re unsure of warm white.

5000K-6500K: Daylight/White Light this light is very bright and very blue. It could be described as glaringly bright. Often used in commercial settings- from warehouses to offices, to hospitals and other areas where adequate lighting and the high lumen is important. This temperature is not recommended for use in a home.

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