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Describing Light Source Color
Kelvin Temperature - Which color temperature works best for you?
- 2700K - Homes, Restaurants, Hotel lobbies, Boutiques (considered warm-white)
- 3000K - Libraries, Office Areas, Retail Stores (considered warm-white)
- 3500K - Office Areas, Homes, Retail Stores (considered neutral-white)
- 4100K - Showrooms, Bookstores, Office Areas (considered cool-white)
- 5000K - Museums, Jewelry Stores, Hospitals, Outdoor conditions such as Sunlight (considered sunlight)
- 6500K - Museums, Jewelry Stores, Hospitals, Used to Simulate Outdoor Conditions such as Daylight (considered daylight)
Color temperature is a characteristic of visible light that has important applications in lighting, photography, videography, publishing, and other fields.
The Kelvin is often used in the measure of the color temperature of light sources. Color temperature is based upon the principle that a black body radiator emits light whose color depends on the temperature of the radiator. Black bodies with temperatures below about 4000 K appear reddish whereas those above about 7500 K appear bluish. Color temperature is important in the fields of image projection and photography where a color temperature of approximately 5500 K is required to match “daylight” film emulsions.
Bulbs Have Very Different Color Temperature
Many people are familiar with "cool" white or "warm" white incandescent light bulbs. These bulbs
have very different color temperatures.
Warm White Color
Incandescent light bulbs are usually within the color range of 2800K to 3300K. This color imparts a yellow light with red or orange tones.
Halogen White Color
Halogen White bulbs are usually within the color range of 2800K to 3500K. This color imparts a clear, white light with very little red or blue tones.
Cool White Color
A "cool" white bulb commonly has a color temperature of 3600K to 4200K. This is in the low range of blue color, similar to ice.
Full Spectrum Lighting
Full Spectrum Bulbs have a color temperature of 5000K and above. They impart a bright, white
light that makes all colors stand out. Make sure that the bulb you choose for full spectrum applications has a color temperature of "5000K" . That way you can make sure that you are purchasing a bulb with "Full Spectrum" lighting.
Daylight Color
Bulbs that are 5600K – 6700K are considered Daylight bulbs. These bulbs offer a clean & bright light.
Color Temperature can Affect the Way Lighting Looks in Your Environment
If your environment is decorated with reds, browns, and oranges, you might want to consider illuminating these rooms with bulbs that have a color temperature in the 2750 - 3000K range. Conversely, if you happen to like green or blue colors, light these rooms with bulbs that produce color temperatures of 4000K or above.
While full spectrum lighting sounds good in theory, many will find this type of lighting too harsh for overall home lighting applications. It’s best to install full spectrum bulbs in those fixtures that are used when you need to differentiate between colors.
The international color code is often used to denote the temperature of a lamp's light. This code is a three digit number. The first digit refers to the color rendering index if it is 8, then the CRI is between 80 and 90, if it is 9, it lies between 90 and 100. The next two numbers are the color temperature (to the nearest hundred) divided by one hundred kelvins, thus if the temperature is 6500 K, the number is 65.
What is the perfect Color for Residential Environments
A lot of people prefer 2700K - 3000K for a warm, cozy, romantic, and sheltered mood. DallasLightBulb.com has got you covered!! Our CFL's cover all ranges of lighting color temperature needs for you to create the right mood.
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