What is Kelvin ? What is Color Temperature ?
When designing lighting for any space, aesthetic appearance is not the only factor. The Color Temperature (Kelvin) value of the lighting is adjusted from recessed spot lighting to chandeliers.
How does color temperature affect the lighting and appearance of the space?
You can find the answers to these questions in our article.
What is Kelvin ?
The definition of Kelvin is “the SI basic unit of thermodynamic temperature whose magnitude is equal to degrees Celsius”. Although this is a scientific explanation, the Kelvin value is used to measure the color temperature of a particular bulb in lighting. And the higher the Kelvin value (expressed as K), the more the color changes to a white color.
As a general rule, lighting fixtures produced in Kelvin scale color temperatures of 2700 K (warm incandescent), 3000 K (warm white halogen) and 3500 K (domestic fluorescent) are used.
Since temperatures of 3500 K and above have a bluish light temperature that can be bright and too harsh for indoor use, they are mostly used in the lighting of businesses and hospitals. However, products at 4000K temperature can be used in some regional lighting areas at home.
Color Temperature Scale
You can find out the color temperature of the lighting fixtures by looking at the table below.
Whether you’re using an ambient light or for highly focused task lighting, be sure to consider the following Kelvin-Color Temperatures.
Less than 2000K : Emits a faint glow similar to candlelight. It is the color temperature that can be used when it is desired to illuminate the environment with a dim lighting.
2000K-3000K : Gives a soft white light that usually looks like a yellow color; Ideal for living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms and outdoor areas.
3100K-4500K : Emits bright white light; It is best suited for kitchens, offices, study rooms and vanity tables where task lighting is required.
4600K-6500K : Emits bright blue-white light similar to daylight; Ideal for exhibition areas and work environments where very bright lighting is required.
6500K and above : Emits a bright bluish tint often found in commercial environments; Ideal for bright-looking workspace lighting.
