Lighting says a lot about what you want to achieve and the right choice of lighting will leave the impression you want to leave for the necessary situation. In order to achieve the desired effect in your room with the help of light, you need to know how to choose the right color temperature for your room and occasion.
Your bedroom doesn’t have a cozy feeling to it? No problem, there’s probably no need to re-decorate anything, with the right color temperature you will accomplish the best results.
Definition of color temperature and Kelvins
In order to properly choose a lighting fixture that will suit your needs, you must first get to know the term behind the color temperature – Kelvin.
Let’s take a look at how color temperature affects your choices.
In reality, this temperature has nothing to do with the actual temperature of your bulbs. It refers to the characteristics of the emitted light related to how the colors of the object, on which the light of the bulbs comes, look under that lighting. The Kelvin measurement system is used for this.
The higher the number of Kelvins, the light emitted by the bulb is similar to the one that sunlight provides.
For example, a light bulb with a color temperature closer to 5000 Kelvin will resemble things in more similar lighting to bright sunlight than a 2700K light bulb.
In layman’s terms, the higher the color temperature, the lighter and cooler the light becomes, while the lower the temperature, the warmer the light.
See also: Soft White vs Bright White vs Daylight
How to choose the right color temperature for your room
In order to know how to choose the right color temperature for your room, we’ve grouped color temperatures into 3 categories:
- warm light (2700-3500K)
- cold light (4000-4500K)
- and full range (5000-6500K)
Afterward, we put rooms in one of those categories.
| Type of the room | Color temperature |
|---|---|
| Dining room | 2700K-3500K |
| Living room | 2700K-3500K |
| Bedroom | 2700K-3500K |
| Kitchen | 4000K-4500K |
| Bathroom | 4000K-4500K |
| Offices | 4000K-4500K |
| Garages | 5000K-6500K |
| Galleries | 5000K-6500K |
Dining room, living room, and bedroom
Warm light (2700K -3500K) is used for interiors where we stay every day such as the dining room, living room, and bedroom, as they do not require stronger lighting. It is lighting for the comfort and warmth of the space. Due to its orange-reddish tones, a more pleasant atmosphere is created.
There are slight differences needed for these 3 different rooms:
For example, recommended color temperature for the living room and dining room would be 2700-3000 K, but the most optimal bedroom color temperature would be even warmer, and darker – 2700K is a perfect choice.
Kitchen, bathroom, and offices
Cold light (4000-4500K) is used for kitchens, bathrooms, offices, and work areas. These Kelvins are used in spaces where more detailed work is done, dedicated jobs such as hacking in the kitchen or makeup in the bathroom. An added bonus to these Kelvins is that they beautifully illuminate objects in green, blue, and very light tones, and those tones are frequently present in the listed types of rooms.
The full range (5000-6500K) is reserved for garages, galleries, and shop windows. This screaming strong light is actually the strongest daylight that can be obtained on a sunny day. Due to its strength, it is not found in houses, but it is a good choice for lighting a garage or some other area that needs to be well lit.
It is ideal for spaces where safety at work is important. Some modern galleries know how to use such strong light to attract the view of works of art (most often sculptures and modern installations). Sometimes, you can also find this color temperature in very brightly lit office spaces.
See also: What Are Lumens: Definition And Best Practices
Should all lights have the same color temperature?
No, all lights should not have the same color temperature, and that’s for a number of reasons.
When it comes to choosing the best light for your space, it is important to know that different rooms require different color temperatures. For example, there should be a different light in the kitchen than in the bedroom, and that automatically means that there will and should be different color temperatures.
Imagine having a warm, soft, cozy light while preparing dinner or cleaning the dirt from the dishes.
You won’t be able to do those jobs precisely and maintain a sharp and focused vision at 2700K which is suitable for the bedroom.
Frequently asked questions
Now when you’ve learned how to choose the right color temperature for your room, let’s answer some of the frequently asked questions!
Is 5000K too bright for the bedroom?
The highest color temperature suitable for the bedroom would be around 3000k, so yes, 5000k is definitely too bright for your bedroom.
You will rarely find this color temperature in the houses at all since it’s suitable for spaces where safety at work is important. Shortly said, 5000K is too bright for the bedroom.
3000K or 4000K for the living room?
The most suitable color temperature for the living room is around 3000K, the 4000K would be too bright.
The living room should be an inviting, but relaxing place at the same time, and the best option is to keep it warm and friendly.
3500K vs 4000K for office
We recommend using a bright white light for office spaces, and you will achieve that light with a 4000K.
An office is a place where you should stay focused on your work and anything warmer than 4000K won’t help you with that. Even a stronger 4500K would be suitable for an office space.
See also: Light Bulb Wattage Guide: How Many Do You Need?
Conclusion
We have learned that the Color temperature is an important part of creating a pleasing atmosphere. The correct color temperature for your home’s interior makes the room feel appropriate for its purpose.
A darker and warmer color temperature is more likely to feel comfortable and cozy to people. On the other hand, a lighter and cooler color temperature is more likely to make the space become an area for performing some activities.
Now you know how to choose the right color temperature for your room, and that in order to achieve the desired effect for your space, you must understand the color temperature topic and the effects it has on the human eye and mood.
