Warm White Vs Cool White lights – What’s the difference
Warm light Vs Cool light
Gone are the days when picking a light for your space involved only going to the hardware store and picking the one that the salesman would offer. Today, you have many choices not only in terms of CFL and LED bulbs but also in the colour of the light. Most CFL lights offer cool light, while LED lighting can be found in cool white and warm white (yellow) light. Lighting really affects your mood, so it is important to use the right shades of lights at different times of the day. This read will help you make your choice between warm white LED light, and cool white LED light.
What is warm white light?
The basic difference between warm white and cool white is the colour temperature. Warm light gives a natural yellowish colour and looks natural. Kelvin scale is used to differentiate between the two. Warm white light measures around 2700-3000K. A warm light LED gives a more traditional feel and is ideal for homes.
What is cool white light?
Compared to warm light, cool light looks artificial and emits a bluish colour. As per the Kelvin scale, cool light is more than 4000K. Cool white lights give a cleaner look and are perfect for the modern workspace. One of the biggest benefits of LED lights is that it gives you the choice of picking the colour temperature as per your personal choice.
The difference between warm light and cool light
We should also understand how light temperature factors into circadian rhythms. Warm light bulbs are more compatible with the goal of your circadian rhythm – stimulation of melatonin, the hormone that induces sleep. This is a big reason why lighting is such an important factor in interior designing principles. As per this principle, a cooler, brighter light can be used for the darker early evenings in the winter months, ensuring you are not ready for bed by 6pm, but transitioning to warmer light temperatures as the evening progresses. Let us help you choose lights for different rooms.
Where can warm White light be used?
- Living room: A living room is where you want to relax and unwind after a long day and socialize with your loved ones. A warm white LED is best for such a space. You can always install reading lamps with a cooler hue. A warm white ceiling light is a great way to create the perfect evening ambience.
- Bedroom: Bedrooms don’t require cool lighting. Warm white LED ceiling lights promote sleep and are the perfect way to end your day. If your bedroom does not receive any natural light, then slightly soft white lights should be added to aid cleaning and for gloomy days. Follow our tips to light up your bedroom.
- Landscaping: If you have a garden area at the front or back of your house, then opt for warmer light tones as cooler lights will make your garden space ghostly at night.
Where can cool White light be used?
Workspace: Your workspace should ideally receive enough sunlight during the daytime. An effective lighting system is essential to reduce any eye strain. Cooler lights will ensure greater productivity in an office space. So, incorporate brighter, whiter bulbs.
Kitchen: Your kitchen space can be a mix of warm and cool lights. The platform, functional space should have cooler lights which can help you work while the space where you want to entertain guests or the dining area can have warmer tones.
Bathroom: A cooler light is preferred for a bathroom. It’s largely a functional space that requires appropriate lighting so you can avoid any mishaps. Bathroom mirrors with integrated lighting tend to be cooler, for this reason. However, you can incorporate one or two warmer lights near the bathtub where you want to relax and unwind.
Which one should I use?
Now, that you know the basics of warm light vs cool light, it is time to understand what’s best for you. Firstly, there are no rules. It’s a personal preference. If you like the yellowish colour of a conventional lamp then a warm white light would be the ideal choice, this is the most popular choice for homes. If you want a modern, clean look, you may prefer the cleaner, brighter feel of a cool white lamp. Cool white light contains more blue light and looks brighter to the eye.
In warmer countries, people prefer white light compared to people from cooler countries who prefer warm light.
Pay special attention to what use in commercial spaces as that could play a crucial role in the productivity and efficiency of the employees.
You can also mix and match different colour temperatures of light across the varying levels of your lighting system. However, make sure you use small increments in differences between warmer and cooler lights, rather than using the opposite ends of the Kelvin scale, as this could create a jarring effect on the eyes.
If you are confused about what you really want for your space, you must opt for the Star Lord 3-in-1 LED Recessed Panel as it can completely solve the problem of choosing between different colours. It offers you the choice of switching between colours via a simple switch depending on your mood.
So, you can fully eliminate the confusion of picking any one colour with this modern and smart lighting option.