In our world, an environment full of beautiful color surrounds us, whether it’s outdoors in the sunlight or indoors with electric illumination. Most of the time these types of lighted environments are very different in how color is presented to our eyes. In the past, people have described color in any number of ways with general terms, but that was found to be lacking in the exact way to describe color, and that can lead to an incorrect lighting application in your home.
Long ago, science made it easier to identify color through the use of color temperature. Color temperature is not an actual temperature like you have in a thermometer; it’s a scientific and accurate way of describing color. Not to get too technical, but it’s the Kelvin temperature at which a theoretical blackbody radiator would be heated to, emitting that color. So for instance, that means a fluorescent light, which has a color temperature of 3500K, would have a corresponding reference to the theoretical blackbody radiator heated to 3500 degrees Kelvin. Now that we have that out of the way, let me explain to you how that might apply to your home lighting situation.
Because different color temperatures have a different look, it can make all the difference in how you light something whether it’s in your home or office. The higher the color temperature, the whiter the light is, a lower color temperature would mean something that is more on the yellow side of white. It’s important in your home because you have to look at how light interaction will either complement your interiors, or might clash with them. How you light something can change even the color of what your interiors look like! Sometimes paint on a wall will look much different under one color temperature as another.
So when you have an interior design or a color scheme for paint, wallpaper or furniture, it’s important to think about how you’re going to light it. If you have a color temperature that’s high, that white color can seem a little stark or cold, but that may be exactly the correct look that you want in a kitchen where it will look clean and efficient. But putting that same light in a den might detract from the cozy feeling you might try to achieve in that type of space.
Unfortunately, there are no absolute rules regarding and how to apply lighting or a light bulb with a certain color temperature. It’s really a subjective choice, but it’s one you need to think about when doing a renovation or a lighting upgrade. Here’s just a quick guide that might be helpful as you’re thinking about it, keeping in mind that the subjective choice is totally yours. Generally speaking, a lower color temperature like 2700K, works well on objects that have earth tones, such as wood, leather or darker colors. It has a warmer color, slightly yellow, which enhances those colors and keeps that incandescent-like color.
If you have bathrooms or kitchens, or any space with a whiter color interior, then a high color temperature like 4100K, 5000K or 6500K will keep the interior looking white rather than a yellow or off-white. All that in mind, you may be a person who loves natural daylight regardless of the room’s color scheme and retaining that into the darker evening hours is important, then these higher color temperatures would be what you want.
Understanding the color temperature of lighting will make it easier for you to get the light you want for your home’s interiors. You will be able to make a good judgement for the proper look you want to achieve whether it’s a bathroom, kitchen, dining room or a special display. Once again, think about your interior colors and the effect you want to create with either a higher or lower color temperature. If you’re still uncertain about the color, try a few light bulbs first with various color temperatures before you outfit your entire home with a new system. This is especially important if you’re looking to reduce electrical consumption with more energy efficient compact fluorescent lighting.
John Bolduan is President of BuyLightFixtures.com and has over 20 years in the lighting field. For lighting help, contact 866-637-1530 or via email at john@buylightfixtures.com. Also visit their web site at: http://www.buylightfixtures.comto learn more about color in all types of lighting.
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