Colour temperature refers to the colour of the light source. When it comes to LED lights, our choices include Warm, Cool, Natural or Daylight. Each LED colour temperature has a specific look and feel, and you’ll find that certain colours work better in specific applications.

Every light bulb package has a description of the light given off by the bulb. It may read Warm, Cool, Natural, or Daylight, but that might not be enough to help you decide which bulb to use for which room of your home. Here we will explain the colour temperature of LED lighting and which temperatures are best in certain rooms of the home.

The Colour Scale

The first thing to know is that colour temperature is measured in Kelvins (K). This is true for LED lights as well as any other type of light bulb. Higher Kelvin temperatures result in cooler colours while lower K temperatures indicate warmer colours. Kelvins range from 2700K to 6500K. Incidentally, the term “temperature” doesn’t have anything to do with how hot a bulb feels to the touch.

LED lights come in a range of colours from soft yellows to bright whites. Warm light tends toward yellows, reds, and oranges. Cool light appears blue or greenish. In between the two, light appears crisp and white. The LED colour temperature is an important consideration when replacing light bulbs because it affects how things look in a room, how well we see things, our moods and emotions, and can even impact our natural sleep cycles. Most people prefer the warmer tones indoors and save the cooler colours for workrooms, garages, and even outdoor lighting.

 

LED Colour Temperature Scale

The Kelvin temperature scale ranges from 2700K to 6500K. Within that range are a variety of colour temperatures labelled:

  • Warm White Light ranges from 2700K to 3500K. This produces a calming and relaxing light that is great for bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms or restaurants.
  • Natural White Light is in the 3500K to 4500K range. Cool and clean, this LED colour most closely mimics sunlight, which makes it good for use in almost any location. Basements, garages and other dark places that don’t have a lot of natural light are a good place for cool white LED lights.
  • Daylight White Light ranges from 5000K-6000K. This is a crisp and clear white light that is great for garages, security lights, offices, or retail locations.
  • Cool White Light is between 6000K and 7000K. These are good in commercial and industrial applications or any situation in which you want to foster alertness.

 

Choosing An LED Lighting Colour

The LED lighting colour you choose ultimately depends on where you intend to use the bulb and personal preference. Warm light works for more residential applications or anywhere a relaxed atmosphere is desired. Cool colours are good for a modern look and in industrial and commercial settings, or anywhere you want to increase brightness.

To find out more about LED colour temperatures visit the LEDified website.