A brief guide to understanding Kelvin degrees, the different light temperatures and the colour of light bulbs to choose for various rooms.
When it comes to choosing light bulbs for the home or a workspace, one of the aspects to keep in mind and not underestimate is the colour tone of the light. This, indicated in degrees Kelvin (K), has a significant influence on the atmosphere of a space. Understanding the differences between neutral, warm, and cool light can help you make the right choice, avoiding the selection of a light bulb that stimulates concentration in rooms where you seek relaxation, and vice versa. In this article, we’ll explore Kelvin ratings, the various light temperatures, and which light bulb colour to choose for different rooms at home or in commercial spaces.
What are Kelvin degrees in light bulbs
Kelvin degrees (K) represent the unit of measurement for the colour temperature of light sources. The Kelvin scale defines the shades of light emitted by a light source, using as a reference the temperature to which an ideal black body would have to be heated to emit light of a similar colour. The higher the temperature, the cooler the light, while the lower the temperature, the warmer the light emitted.
How do you calculate the Kelvin degrees for light bulbs?
The calculation of Kelvin degrees is based on the colour temperature of the light emitted by light bulbs. Typical values for incandescent light bulbs ranged from 2700 to 3000 K, while LED light bulbs have a much wider range: about from 1,800 K to 6,500 K. By law, all light bulb manufacturers must provide information on the colour temperature among the product specifications shown on the packaging.
How to choose the right colour temperature?
The choice of colour temperature depends on the room and the desired lighting effect. To create a warm, welcoming atmosphere in living rooms, bedrooms or relaxation areas, we recommend light bulbs with a colour temperature of up to 2,700-3,000 K. This warm light creates a pleasant, relaxing ambience. Industrial environments, supermarkets and hospitals, on the other hand, require very different tones: generally, above 5000K.
Warm light: what it means and where it is best used
Warm light reaches up to 3,300K and is a yellowish-red hue reminiscent of traditional incandescent light bulbs, around 2,700K. In fact, this is still the most widespread type of light bulb today.
When comparing the lights that surround us, the warmest are those of candles, at around 1,500K, or the sun at dawn and dusk, around 1,800K. Warm white light is therefore ideal for domestic settings such as living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms, as it creates a cosy and relaxing atmosphere.
For this reason, many decorative LED light bulbs emit a warm or very warm light.
Photo: @paulinesimpkin6
Natural light: how many Kelvin degrees and which spaces is it suitable for?
Natural light, often referred to as "neutral white" or "cool white", traditionally has a colour temperature between 3,300K and 5,300K. For example, around 5,000K is the light of an electronic flash, and sunlight at midday is about 5,200K.
Some brands label lamps and light bulbs that emit light at 3,500–4,000 K as “natural light” because they emit a colour temperature similar to the ambient daylight in homes when the sun shines into the rooms.
This shade does not distort colours and helps concentration. For this reason, it is suitable for spaces where optimal colour rendering is required. Offices, art studios or work environments where good visibility is important use light bulbs of this kind.
Photo: @lisaland.ing
Cool light: what it is and where it’s used
Cool light, with a colour temperature of over 5,300 K, emits a blue-white tone similar to direct daylight. Daylight with a completely overcast sky is around 7,000 K. It is mainly used in garages and outdoor spaces, in commercial or industrial environments, such as supermarkets, hospitals or work areas where accurate colour rendering and intense light are required.
In conclusion, Kelvin degrees and the different shades of light offer a variety of choices when it comes to lighting. Knowing the differences between warm, natural and cool light can help to create the desired atmosphere and improve energy efficiency.
When choosing a light bulb, it’s important not to consider only the right brightness in terms of Lumens and Watts, but also to take into account the setting, the desired lighting effect, and the activities that will take place in that specific space, in order to achieve optimal lighting for every need.
Photo: @simohome_18
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