What color temperature should I choose for lighting: warm, cold or daytime?

What is color temperature?

Concept Colorful temperature - a physical indicator that reflects the color of the light source. Measured in Kelvin. Studying the temperature of light, scientists took an absolutely black body as a basis, heating it in a vacuum, you can see a change in the shade of the glow:

• 0К - black color;
• 500-600K - red with black tint;
• 2500K - yellow;
• 2800-3000K - warm white;
• 5000-5500K - white neutral light;
• 7000-7500K - cold white light;
• 9000-1000K - blue light.

Interior light sources, although they do not heat up so much, emit an artificial glow in the range of 2500-7000K. At the same time, a value of 2-4 thousand is considered a warm shade of light (has a yellow undertone), 4-5 thousand - neutral white, 5-7 thousand lamps give cold lighting.

Important! Knowing how the temperature is measured and what indicators which values ​​correspond to, allows you to understand what color the warm light of the lamp will be - orange, yellow, light yellow. The same with cold: white, light blue, blue. The higher the number, the bluer the range.

Which light is better?

Asking the question "Which is better - warm white light, bluish or neutral?" as absurd as trying to determine which tone is more beautiful - orange or green.

However, the shades of different color temperatures have some differences that make them more or less suitable for different situations.

• Answering the question which light is brighter, warm or cold - definitely the second. More precisely, this is how it is perceived by our eyes: with the same power of LED lamps, lamps with a cold glow will be lighter.
• Choosing a backlight close to natural sunlight, give preference to neutral lamps... The difference between cold and warm lighting is that white LED bulbs do not change the perception of the environment in any way.
• Warm light looks like dawn or setting sun... Incandescent bulbs have an amazing ability to create a relaxed atmosphere: they act like electric candles. Also, lamps of a warm shade emphasize a warm palette in the interior, neutralize cold elements.

Important! The temperature of light (warm, white, cold) does not in any way affect visual acuity: only a lack of brightness (power is measured in lumens) can "plant" the eyes.

Rules for the use and organization of lighting

Cold and warm lighting affects not only the perception of colors, but also a person's well-being. Consider below features of impact:

• warm tones soothe in the evening, gently awaken in the morning: produce a soft, non-crushing effect, create coziness;
• a neutral shade of light imitates daylight, promotes excitation of the central nervous system, brain activity;
• blue light bulbs are most similar to the glow of the moon, therefore, if used improperly, they can cause depression and apathy.

Based on the effect on mood and surrounding objects, we draw conclusions on the use of lighting devices:

1. Warm light in the interior it is necessary to create a cozy atmosphere: it is suitable as an additional lighting for relaxing in the living room, suspensions over dining table, sconce or floor lamp in the reading corner, bedroom lighting, children's room in the evenings before going to bed.
2. Cold light in the room, it invigorates only in small quantities, so a table lamp on the desktop or a backlight in the shower in the morning is enough for concentration. It is not recommended to use fluorescent lamps with a blue tint as the main scenario in any room.
3. Neutral lighting fixtures they are called natural for a reason: they most correctly imitate the usual daylight, therefore experts recommend white lamps to most people as their main sources.

The last nuance of choosing a temperature - design. Some shades of light are literally associated with a particular style of interior, therefore, deserve special attention.

• Everything vintage, palace, classic and retro styles gravitate towards temperatures up to 4500K (warm light). The main reason is the visual resemblance to the fire of a candle or kerosene stove, which were used at the origin of these directions.
• Cold light is appropriate in ultra-modern interiors: minimalism, high tech... Combined with glossy surfaces, an abundance of glass and metal, LEDs set the right mood. Cold bluish lighting in the apartment creates a bit of a hospital atmosphere, so you shouldn't overdo it.

But going to extremes is not always right... Taking into account the peculiarities of the influence of each range, it is best to choose the most suitable light bulbs for each scenario in all rooms, which will make rest more comfortable and work more productive. For example, the main white light in the living room can be replaced by an additional warm one, intended for cozy family gatherings.

Recommendations for different rooms

The choice of lighting depends primarily on the location. Let's consider what parameters should be chosen for each space.

Kitchen

Standard kitchen lighting includes 3 scenarios: general, work area, dining area.

Dinner Zone represents a table, a bar, an island, a peninsula. The main task of the lamps here is to create a pleasant atmosphere for eating. It is best suited to a warm spectrum - 2500-4000K.

For work in the kitchenWhether it is washing dishes, slicing food or directly cooking over a fire, concentration is required. To sharpen the perception is best done with a shade closer to the cold: 5500-6500K. You can illuminate the tabletop using built-in spots, lamps on the bus, sconces, suspensions, LED strip under cabinets.

The last point is Centre... IN small kitchens the first two sources may be sufficient, but if part of the room remains dark, it is recommended to turn on the third - the central one. Ordinary chandelier or a few spots with white lamps will do the job perfectly.

Bathroom

Lighting scenarios will tell you your habits: before starting the arrangement of the bathroom. Think about what tasks the bathroom is used for?

Possible options: invigorating contrast shower in the morning; relaxing bath with salt before bed; styling, makeup, shaving near the mirror.

Based on the list we select lighting:

• White with a cold undertone - 5000-6500K will help wake up.
• Relax, on the contrary, as warm as possible - 2500-3000K.
• Does not distort reflection in the mirror, helps in applying makeup - neutral glow in the region of 5000K (this tape is usually equipped with illuminated mirrors).

Important! The bathroom, due to decoration and dampness, usually seems colder than it actually is: therefore, warm light looks better in any bathroom.

Hallway

The main difference between the corridor and other rooms is the absence of a natural source, that is, a window opening. That's why the best option for central lighting, as well as additional points at the mirror, cabinet, etc. there will be an imitation of daylight. Lamp - neutral, range 4500-5500K.

The light in the corridor should be uniform (several small lamps instead of one large one) and diffused (it is best to choose lamps with frosted glass).

Bedroom

The choice is influenced by the number of zones in the recreation room. If there is only a bed in the space and it is used exclusively for night sleep - warm light in the bedroom most logical.

When the bedroom is multifunctional, for example, it has a study or makeup area, backlight scenarios also need to be divided.

• Main ceiling light: from yellow, maybe closer to white (4000-5000K).
• Bedside lamps: the warmest (2500-4500K).
• Mirror on the dressing table: neutral (5000-5500K).
• Desktop: neutral with low tide in cold (5500-6500K).

Living room

The hall is usually multifunctional, so the light here performs not only the main function, but also zones space... Basic scenarios:

1. Centre... Chic chandelier sets the tone for the environment, turns on on special occasions: for example, when receiving guests. To make the atmosphere conducive to communication, choose a warm white shade (3500-5000K).
2. Rest zone... Can be illuminated with ceiling spots, busbars or floor lamps. Warm range 2500-4500K.
3. Reading area... If books are your way to relax, choose a backlight with a minimum temperature of 2500-4500K.
4. Desktop... The recommendations are the same as in the bedroom: 5500-6500K. The light can be warmer if you spend a lot of time at work and colder if you work in short intervals.
5. Decorative lighting... Turns on for example when watching movies. Temperature does not matter, low power is more important.

Children's room

A room that can compete with the living room for the championship in the number of zones is the child's room. It must necessarily contain:

• central light (usually used during games),
• work corner,
• sleeping area.

Babies or children suffering from nyphobia (fear of the dark) must have a night light in the room.

When choosing materials for the nursery, pay special attention to the psychological influence: in children and adolescents, the psyche is less stable than in adults, so they perceive any factor much more sharply.

In this regard, the illumination in the room of a hyperactive child is chosen warm - it calms, relaxes. Overly calm boys or girls who need to be stirred up a little, screw in white bulbs: they energize.

An overly cold range is not recommended for both children with ADHD (they may get overexcited) and melancholic babies (they become even more withdrawn).

Cabinet

Not everyone has a separate room in which to work peacefully. But if you are one of the lucky ones, be careful about setting the lighting in it.

The rules for the working area have already been outlined in the sections "Bedroom" and "Living room": Neutral white (5000-5500K) affects performance and concentration best. Moreover, the longer you are in the office, the closer to 5000 the value on the light bulb should be.

Important! The office must have at least 2 light sources: a ceiling lamp + a lamp directly above the table.

Just as there is no good or bad shade in a rainbow, there is no positive or negative temperature in the light spectrum. Learn to choose the right lighting and feel how your perception and mood change with just the flick of a switch key.