Choosing the perfect colour temperature lighting in your home

How to choose the right colour temperature lighting for different areas of your home.

Colour temperature lighting refers to the warmth or coldness of light. Warmer light appears yellow, while cooler light is a white or bluish colour.

The temperature of the lighting in your home will affect the aesthetics, mood and ambience. It can also affect how you feel, so it’s important to choose the right colour temperature lighting for each room. For example, warm light (at around 2700 to 3000k) is the most popular in Australian homes. The warm, almost-yellow glow helps to create a cosy and friendly atmosphere that is gentle on your body clock.

However, the best light temperature for kitchens or the best light temperature for living rooms won’t necessarily work for a home office. Warm light creates a lot of contrast meaning your eyes must work harder to adapt and adjust, which becomes tiring. So for a home office or other working environments, we recommend using cooler lighting between 3500 and 5500k.

Here’s an easy to understand guide for choosing the perfect colour temperature lighting for different areas in your home.

First, how is light temperature measured?

Colour temperature is indicated in a unit called Kelvin (K). Low colour temperature lighting creates a warm and inviting effect, while a high colour temperature creates a cool, more energising effect. Generally, intimate spaces like dining areas and living rooms lend themselves to warmer colour temperatures (2700K-3000K), while office spaces, kitchens and bathrooms are a bit cooler (3000K-4000K) to give the feeling of cleanliness and activity.

So how do I choose the right LED colour temperature lighting?

Our pendants are available in 2700K (Warm White), 3000K (Bright White) or 4000K (Cool White). We can also create bespoke colour temperatures on request. Unless you are wanting to achieve a very specific ambiance or mood, we recommend 3000K. This works well in most home environments and is the most popular choice for our timber lighting pendants.

Dining Room

Suggested Colour Temperature: 2700-3000K

Installing a dimmer to set the mood in your dining room is recommended. It gives you flexibility over the mood and ambience for the space, depending on how you want to use it.

Warmer lighting can improve your appetite and gives off an inviting and relaxed atmosphere
Opting for a brighter, closer to 3000K temperature will ensure guests can visually enjoy what they’re eating, without dampening the ambience.

Best light temperature for kitchen

Suggested Colour Temperature: 2700-5000K

The best light temperature for kitchen is going to be impacted by how much natural light filters into the space, the colour palette of your kitchen and any accent lights, lamps or sconces.

A minimum colour temperature of 2700K is going to cast enough light for food prep and manoeuvring around your space
For kitchens with wooden cabinetry and rich, warm tones, we recommend colour temperature lighting of 2700K-3000K to accentuate the glowy, earthy hues
On the other hand, cool-toned kitchen colour palettes pair better with cooler colour temperatures over 3500K as it’ll lend a modern, clean feel.

If you still can’t decide, have a read of our kitchen blog, reach out to us and have a chat about your options or go for a standard 3000K temperature which casts a warm white light.

Bedroom

Suggested Colour Temperature: 2700-3000K

Bedrooms tend to be the most intimate space in your home, so they benefit from colour temperature lighting that soothes, encourages melatonin and relaxes the body. Regardless of your bedroom colour palette, your lighting should feel mellow and sit at 3000K or warmer.

Bathroom

Suggested Colour Temperature: 3000-4000K

Bathrooms are another space to consider the impact of natural lighting. Depending on the size and placement of windows, sunlight can create added depth and shadows that cooler lighting will balance out.

Opting for cooler light temperatures will give adequate brightness (regardless of natural light) and make the bathroom a functional and productive morning space
Lighting closer to 3000K will result in a clean, fresh setting that can transition through to evening for when you want to wind down and relax.

Best light temperature for living room or lounge

Suggested Colour Temperature: 2200-3000K

The best light temperature for living room or lounge is dim and cosy. Perfect for entertaining or relaxing after a long day, 2200-3000K will give off a balanced, even glow that ensures the space is suitable for gatherings through to everyday activities.

Office or workspace

Suggested LED Colour Temperature: 3000-5000K

To feel awake, alert and productive, you’ll need functional office or workspace lighting. Keeping your lighting cooler and brighter will ease eye strain and reduce fatigue.

Need help deciding on the best light temperature for living room, lounges, kitchens, bedrooms or more? Allow us to lend a hand in deciding on the perfect bespoke pendant lighting for your space and we’ll assist with colour temperature selection too.

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