How to Choose the Perfect Light Bulb Colour Temperature in 2024
Did you know that the right light bulb colour temperature can make or break the atmosphere in your home? It’s true!
In fact, a study by the Lighting Research Center found that cooler light temperatures can increase productivity by up to 19%!
But don’t worry if you’re feeling a bit in the dark about choosing the right colour temperature – we’ve got you covered.
In this guide, we’ll illuminate the world of light bulb colour temperatures and help you make the best choice for every room in your house.
Get ready to see your home in a whole new light!
Understanding Light Bulb Colour Temperature
• Definition of colour temperature and the Kelvin scale. The Kelvin Scale is the technical way that light colour is measured Starting at 2700k and going up to 6500k here is an image of the scale.
• Explanation of warm vs. cool light. The most basic explanation is in the description of warm and cool they create a feeling of warmth and coolness respectively
• How light bulb colour temperature affects mood and perception. Technically it is how the light affects your retina. Which is the pathway to your brain creating a feeling or perception of the affected surroundings
• Common misconceptions about light bulb colour temperature and brightness. Many people wrongly perceive the terms warm and cool refer to the brightness. Not so. You can have a warm white bulb that will technically have the same brightness (lumens) as a cool white globe.
Warm Colour Temperatures: Creating Cosy Spaces
• Benefits of warm light (2700K-3000K) I personally prefer warm white maybe because I work in a light shop which is super bright all the time, that I need to give my eyes a rest when at home.
This could also be you if you work in a bright office all day.
• Ideal rooms for warm light bulb colour temperatures. The ideal rooms for warm white lighting is in your relaxation rooms. Bedrooms, loungeroom, media rooms.
• How warm light affects relaxation and sleep patterns. You can use warm white lighting of varying kelvins to regulate your sleeping patterns.
• Best bulb types for warm light bulb colour temperatures. Obviously LED bulbs have the ability to choose how warm or cool you want to set the bulb. But the absolute best warm white does come from the halogen globes but the are in no way energy efficient.
Cool light bulb Colour Temperatures: Boosting Productivity and Focus.
The stimulation to the brain of the cool white is what makes it best for productivity and focus.
• Advantages of cool light (3500K-6500K). A stimulating colour of light which encourages activity and focus.
• Suitable areas for cool light bulb color temperatures. Work areas, kitchen bench, office, work place.
• Impact on alertness and concentration. Cool white has been proven to have a positive impact on alertness and concentration. Which is great for concentration and productivity. But in a child’s bedroom can be stimulating and not conductive to getting them to sleep.
• Recommended bulb options for cool temperatures There is only LED and CFL (compact Fluro) types of bulbs to have cool white.
Choosing the Right Light Bulb Colour Temperature for Each Room depends on how you will use that room.
• Living room: Finding the perfect balance between soft relaxation and bright open lighting this room is where you would benefit from using layered lighting.
• Bedroom: Promoting relaxation and good sleep I would always recommend to use warm white bulbs in all bedrooms.
• Kitchen: Combining task lighting with ambiance This is where you can mix it up. You can use cool white in your recessed downlights and warm white in your pendants.
• Home office: Maximizing productivity. Obviously as your workspace you would choose for your light bulb colour temperature cool white possibly right up to the 6500k.
• Bathroom: Flattering light for grooming. This can be tricky depending on your preferences but the recommendations and professional makeup guidelines are:
For everyday makeup and closest to natural sunlight use warm white 3000k
For professional photos (which can suck the colour out of your skin) use cool white 4000k lighting. When you use cool white lighting to put on your makeup there is a tendency to apply heavier and darker.
The Impact of Natural Light on Colour Temperature Choices
• How to complement natural light with artificial lighting. This is a perfect example of when to use Tuneable white light. There are a number of downlights and globes on the market that allow you to change the colour temperature via a dimmer switch or app.
• Seasonal considerations for colour temperature selection. Being able to switch from a cool white to a warm white enables you to use the perfect light bulb colour anytime of the year/season.
• Using colour temperature to combat seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This is a thing. not so much here in northern Australia. But in places like Tasmania New Zealand and a lot of the northern hemisphere countries where daylight is very minimal in winter and a lot in summer. You can regulate your lighting to alleviate any SAD.
Smart Bulbs and Adjustable Colour Temperatures
• Introduction to smart lighting technology. The advancements in smart technology are amazing to say the least. From using RGB (multi coloured) to Seasonal Whites the options are amazing.
• Benefits of adjustable colour temperature bulbs. As touched on above, to be able to change the whole feel of a room with your phone is a game changer. The long lasting positive effects it can have on your mood and health have been proven with various studies.
• How to create lighting scenes for different times of day. You can create a Dawn to Dusk cycle with your lighting. Who likes to wake up to glaring bright light, no one. You can start your light bulb colour temperature with a soft 2700k for the first hour or so your are up. then move to 3000k for the early portion of your day. I would transition to 4000k early to mid morning, if working maybe 5000k in the middle of the day then reverse to the end of day. 4000k early afternoon or when you first get home from work. then after dinner down to 3000k and getting ready for bed 27000k.
• Integration with smart home systems. Nowadays you can pre-program your lighting with whichever system you chose.
Energy Efficiency and Colour Temperature
• Relationship between light bulb colour temperature and energy consumption. The colour temperature doesn’t effect the energy levels it is the brightness which is measured in lumens that dictates the energy used.
• LED options for different colour temperatures. In my ten years in lighting there have been many changes. For example ten years ago you could only get cool white (4000k) or warm white (3000k) or daylight (5000k) Light bulbs or downlights. now you get all three temperatures in each bulb or downlight. The way you change the colour temperature can be either with the switch, a dimmer or on the product. making you the customer able to change your light colour without having to change your product.
• Long-term cost savings of choosing the right bulbs. Without a doubt the LED bulbs and downlights that are available on the market will save you on your power bills and save on replacements as their life span is so much more that the old halogen and CFL Lightbulbs. They are more costly to purchase originally but save so much in the long run.
For example, I rent a unit and when I moved in it had fifteen 80watt Bulbs in the downlights. The silly thing is it took me 2 years to replace them when I work in a light shop. Anyway, my power bill was just getting worse so I bit the bullet so to speak and purchased 15 new led Light bulbs that only use 10watts each. well that alone halved yes halved my power bill and 8 years later I have not had to replace any of them.
Conclusion:
Choosing the right light bulb colour temperature is like finding the perfect filter for your home – it can transform the entire look and feel of your space!
By understanding the science behind light bulb colour temperature and considering the unique needs of each room, you’ll be well on your way to creating a perfectly lit haven.
Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.
Ready to light up your life? Head to your local lighting store or hop online to start your light bulb colour temperature journey today.
Your perfectly lit home awaits!
