Colour is important in any aspect of our life, whether it be in the food that we eat, the clothing that we wear, the design of our house, and even in lighting. Colour impacts the way we feel towards a space. With the continuous development of LED lighting and the significant drop in price in the past years, more and more households are converting to LED for its energy efficiency and economic sustainability. One of the most frequent questions we get from customers is if there is an LED light that mimics the look of daylight, which leads to a conversation about colour temperature.
Often times, people don’t realize how cool daylight really is until they see a comparison for themselves. A method of measuring colour temperature is the Kelvin temperature which ranges from warm (ex. 2700K) to cool (ex. 5000K). The higher the Kelvin temperature, the less yellow and more bluish white the colour will appear. An LED warm white (2700K) will produce a yellow tinge that is similar to the colour of an incandescent bulb, while an LED soft white (3000K) is considered neutral, appearing less yellow and a little more bluish white. To achieve the look of daylight, it would require an LED with 5000K, which means it will be even more bluish-white and can be a bit harsh depending on the space it is used in.
However, the “right” colour temperature has a lot to do with personal preference and the ambiance you want to create for a room. For instance, you might choose a warmer light (2700k warm white) for a dining room or bedroom for a more intimate and comforting feel. Whereas, you might choose a bulb with a cooler temperature (3000K soft white) for a bathroom or a kitchen since bluish light tends to appear brighter to the eye and creates the impression of a clean space. Also consider the furniture in the room. Perhaps you have a living room space with white furniture, and though a warm white LED might be a comforting look, it might not make your furniture look as white as it’s suppose to be. Again, it leads to the idea that colour has to do with preference, and the best way to know what will work best for you, is to see it for yourself.
LEDs are an investment to consider that can help reduce energy consumption and save money in the long run. Visit our showrooms to learn more about LED lighting and to see the differences in colour temperature for yourself. Our ALA Certified Lighting Specialist have the expertise to ensure you make the most out of your investment in LED lighting.
