Summarize

• Light colour temperature measured in kelvins, ranging from red to blue
• Natural light changes during the day, affecting human circadian rhythms
• LED luminaires can adjust the colour temperature to suit the mood
• Warm light for living rooms, neutral for kitchens and bathrooms
• Intelligent lighting allows you to control the tone and brightness of the light

In this article, we discuss how to choose the right color temperature for your home. We also cover the concept of color temperature in general and explore the versatility of LED lights in producing various light tones.

What does the colour temperature of light mean?

The correlated colour temperature (CCT) of light is stated in kelvins. In simplified terms, the colour temperature of light varies between red and blue, with red at the lower end of the Kelvin scale (2000 K) and blue at the upper end (12000-18000 K).

It is said that humans distinguish colour temperatures between 2290 and 11000 K. In nature, the color temperature of light changes continuously throughout the day – from the warm, reddish tones of the morning to the cool, bluish hues of the evening. The temperature of light therefore describes the colour tone of the light.

Variation of light color temperature in nature

As humans, we are accustomed to the natural variation in color temperature as part of our daily (circadian) rhythm. Natural light is a multifaceted concept. In smart homes, it is possible to automatically adjust the light’s color temperature to mimic natural daylight. In any case, artificial light is second only to sunlight in terms of the amount of light. Here on the dark hemisphere, it’s definitely beneficial to have adjustable color temperature on LED lamps and to invest in high-quality, adaptable lighting for the home.

The most typical places where we need warm light are those where we entertain in the evenings. The warm LED light adds a cosy touch. In addition, the warm light adds softness to the space, and highlights the warm tones of the materials. Warm light can give the impression that the lumen value is lower, making it seem dimmer, even though the measured value may suggest otherwise.

As daylight softens, the amount of light also decreases, but this is not automatically reflected in lighting fixtures. The amount of light is the same, but the variation in the Kelvin value affects the perceived brightness. Bright white light activates, as the Kelvins in the bulbs are at a higher level.

What shades of light are available from LED lights?

We use lighting when there is not enough daylight and natural light available. Often, lights are chosen for the home based on the color temperature that one feels most comfortable in. In addition, the colour temperature of the lamp you choose depends on the intended use of the light.

The most commonly used light colors in LED lighting are 2700 Kelvins (the hue of incandescent bulbs, very warm white light), 3000 Kelvins (the hue of halogen bulbs), 4000 Kelvins (neutral white), and 5500 Kelvins and above (so-called daylight lamps, cool white). Most LedStore’ lights offer both 3000 K and 4000 K options. In addition, there is a wide range of LED lights, spotlights, LED strips, and LED panels, where the color temperature of the fixture can be adjusted as desired. Such luminaires have what is known as a double LED circuit, i.e. two LED circuits, a cold light and a warm light, of which mixing ratio is adjusted to control the colour temperature of the light.

The color temperature adjustment in LED spotlights can be chosen during installation, allowing the light to be dimmed. The color temperature of a fixture or a group of fixtures can also be adjusted smoothly by selecting a common transformer for the entire lighting group, along with the appropriate controller or dimmer. We offer the complete package and are happy to assist you in choosing the right lighting. Adjustable color temperature lights are available in our online store. Wireless control products are also available in our online store.

How to choose the right light colour temperature: warm white, neutral or cold white?

There is no right and wrong answer when choosing the colour temperature of light. For domestic lighting, you should concentrate on choosing the shade of light you like, rather than choosing, for example daylight bulbs if you don’t like them.

Based on our experience, the choice of lighting in home use tends to lean slightly more towards 3000 K (warm white) fixtures, while in public construction projects, the clear favorite is 4000 K color temperature lighting. 4000 K light is considered pure white, as it is in the middle of the white light spectrum.

We think that daylight Kelvins (cold white light) are a good addition to be used to improve light supply to plants. The brightness of the light, daylight at Kelvin, is suitable for plants. The best LED light for plants is one with a high color rendering index (CRI), which also provides daylight Kelvin temperatures. The high colour rendering index also ensures that red wavelengths are included in the spectrum of the light, as in nature.

Warm white led lighting and neutral white in the same home?

One of the most common questions is whether home lighting can be a combination of both 3000 K (warm white) and 4000 K (neutral white) fixtures. Of course it can—and in fact, this is often the case!

Rooms like the kitchen, utility room, home office, entryway, and bathroom are increasingly being lit with 4000 K neutral white light, which we believe gives the spaces a clean and fresh appearance. Warm white 3000 K lighting, on the other hand, is generally better suited for living rooms, bedrooms, and outdoor areas. Of course, if the living room and kitchen are part of the same open space, it’s best to use fixtures with the same color temperature throughout for a consistent look.

Alternatively, lighting can be designed so that all ceiling lights are 4000 K and all decorative lights (such as table and floor lamps) are 3000 K. This setup allows for two distinct lighting atmospheres without the need for dimmers or smart controls: during the day, the brighter and refreshing ceiling lights provide clean, energizing light, while in the evening, when winding down or preparing for bed, only the decorative lights are used to create a soft and warm ambiance. In such a situation, stepless colour temperature control and dimming are also appropriate.

In short

As a rough rule of thumb, if the shades used in the interior are all warm, a 3000 K light tone is more suitable, while 4000 K is often chosen for black and white-grey interiors. As a colour temperature, 4000 K is clearly more suitable for modern interiors, while 3 000 K is ideal for more traditional spaces.

If you’re looking for lighting with a 3500 K color temperature, one great option is our popular 17W/m Helmi 3,500 K LED strip. You can find it in the LED strip category in our online store.

Overall, the experience of the colour temperature of light as comfortable and pleasant is based on individual preferences. This is why you should check out the different shades in our store, for example in Koivuhaka, Vantaa. You can take along decorative materials, such as tiles and wallpaper, to help you choose the right shade of light.

The colour temperature of the light is chosen according to mood and need

Color temperature-adjustable lights are ideal for spaces where the lighting mood or function needs to change throughout the day. Choosing an LED strip becomes easier when the color tones can be adjusted directly from the strip.

In the example below, the staircase is surrounded by grey-painted walls, and the LED strip’s adjustable tone allows the space to glow in different hues—from cool to warm—as the color temperature shifts. Even though our lights offer top-tier colour rendering index (CRI), it’s good to note that warm light (3000K or lower) can shift cool or bluish-grey tones toward greenish hues due to the yellow tint of the light. Cold colour temperatures, on the other hand, accentuate the blue tones of the grey wall. 

You can read more about color temperature adjustable products in our online store. We call them CCT products because the light’s color temperature, or CCT value, can be adjusted. Warm yellow and cold blue are the extremes of colour.

Do not confuse the concepts of colour temperature control (CCT) and colour control (RGB)

The natural daily variation in the hue of light is the Kelvin variation of white light. We also offer LED lights with the option to adjust colors. With this product, the colour of the light changes across the entire spectrum of the rainbow. In the picture below, the LED strip has been selected from green, yellow, red, purple and blue.

In practical applications, RGB strip lights work great in home theaters, children’s and teenagers’ rooms, as well as kitchens that could use a pop of color, like in the image below. The strip provides ample power, offering plenty of light, especially when using just the white light from the RGBW strip.

Smart control for LED strips for color temperature adjustment

When you want smart lighting, you can use smart control components to manage your lights. Smart lighting refers to automated lighting systems, mobile control, voice-activated lighting, and more—all controlled by commands. Wall buttons and remote controls can also be used to adjust smart lighting.

For a smart lighting setup, you can choose from the range of LED strips we’ve presented, along with Zigbee control. The system can include LED spots, panels, and strips, with color and tone adjustments made using Zigbee devices. It can be integrated with platforms like Philips Hue, Samsung SmartThings, Google Home, and Home Assistant, allowing you to program and control your lights via their respective apps.

We have written about smart lighting in several articles on our blog. The search term for these is Zigbee. The blog can be found at the link: the LedStore blog, information about led technology.

Here is a FAQ section based on the article “Light colour temperature and its selection in LED lighting”:

FAQ

Liisa Korhonen

Koulutukseltani olen taiteen maisteri 3D tuotemuotoilusta (MA in Design), jota edelsivät kalustemuotoilijan opinnot. Valaistussuunnittelua, tarjouslaskentaa ja konsultaatiota olen tehnyt vuodesta 2007. Valaistus on ollut jatkuvassa murroksessa LED valojen tulon ansiosta, mikä tekee alasta mielenkiintoisen.

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