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Lighting colour temperature is an important element in creating the right atmosphere in any given space. Colour temperature is measured in Kelvins (K), and ranges from 1000 K to 10,000 K. The lower end of the spectrum is a warm light, while the higher end of the spectrum is a cooler light.

Warm lighting typically has colours ranging between 2500 - 3500 K, while cool lighting can range up to 6500K and more. The difference in colour temperature can have a great impact on how people perceive their environment. Warm lighting creates an inviting atmosphere and makes it easy to relax; whereas cool lighting promotes productivity due to its energizing effects.

When choosing what type of light you want for your space, it's important to consider both form and function as well as colour temperature.

By far the most popular colour for domestic use is 2700K to 3000K warm white

The Kelvin Scale

Kelvin Scale Colour Temperature Scale. This diagram clearly shows how the colour of the bulb moves from a yellowish light through to white and onto a bluish-white light.

The Kelvin Scale is an important metric used in the measurement of temperature. It is named after the physicist William Thomson, later known as Lord Kelvin, who developed it in 1848. The Kelvin scale’s unit of measure is simply called a kelvin and it is often used to measure temperatures much lower than those measured on the Celsius scale.

A single kelvin (K) is equal to one degree Celsius, but with a difference: the zero point of the Kelvin scale starts at absolute zero. This means that there are no negative numbers when using Kelvins, unlike other scales like Fahrenheit or Celsius which record temperatures below freezing point as negative values. As such, all temperatures measured on the Kelvin scale are positive values – making it invaluable for measuring extremely cold environments or hot objects like stars and distant planets.

Lighting Colour Temperatures In Kelvin

By far the most popular colour for domestic use is 2700K to 3000K warm white. Some of our clients choose 4000K cool white for a more "clinical" harsh white light in kitchens and bathrooms.

Lighting Kitchens

Lighting colours for kitchens can make a major impact on the aesthetics of the room. The colour of kitchen lighting is determined by the Kelvin (K) rating of the bulb. Choosing the right colour temperature for a kitchen can be tricky, but it's important to get it right in order to create an inviting, stylish atmosphere.

The Kelvin scale ranges from warm yellow light (lower K rating), which is typically used in living rooms and bedrooms, all the way up to cool white light (higher K rating), which is better suited to bathrooms and work spaces such as offices and kitchens. If a kitchen is small and dark, warmer light is likely preferable as it will brighten up the space more than cooler tones. Alternatively, larger kitchens that already receive plenty of natural light may benefit from cooler white or blue-toned lights with higher K ratings.

Lighting Living Rooms

When it comes to lighting up your living room, the colour of light you choose can have a huge impact on the atmosphere. Kelvins are a unit of measurement used to rate the colour temperature of light and they range from 1,000K (very warm) to 10,000K (very cool). By understanding how different colours of light affect our emotions and behaviour we can create a space that is inviting and comfortable.

Warm white lights with a low Kelvin rating (2,700 - 3,000K) are best for creating an inviting atmosphere in your living room. This type of light is often referred to as "soft white" or "warm white" and its yellowish hue provides comfort and relaxation.

Lighting Bathrooms

Bathroom lighting is an important factor to consider when designing the interior of your home. Depending on the colour of your walls and the desired atmosphere, it can make a huge difference in how comfortable and relaxing the space feels. Knowing what kind of light to use for your bathroom involves understanding more about Kelvins - which is a unit that measures colour temperature.

Kelvins provide insight into which colours will work best with certain types of lighting. Generally speaking, warm colours are better suited to lower Kelvin ratings while cool colours tend to fare better with higher Kelvin ratings. For example, bathrooms with pastel-coloured walls should opt for cooler lights around 4000-5000 Kelvins while a darker-coloured room can benefit from warmer lights around 2700-3000 Kelvins.