
How are you supposed to know which light bulb to choose? It may seem easy…but, have you ever noticed they can look white, blue, green, pink, or even varying shades of yellow? Did you know light bulbs have a temperature? In this blog post, I’ll not only help you understand a light bulb’s temperature…but, I’ll also break down the right lighting selections for your needs.
Introduction
You may not have noticed…but, lighting (both natural and artificial) gives off different color hues. These are called lighting temperatures (also known as Kelvins [K]), which is what you see on the box when shopping for bulbs. As you have probably experienced, shopping for light bulbs can be an overwhelming experience these days.
Until the mid-1990’s, shopping for lightbulbs was easy. You really only needed to check if you were purchasing the right base size and wattage. Now, you can purchase whatever Kelvin (temperature/color) you want in varying sizes, shapes, and wattages. You must also choose between incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, and LED. Most of these will fit the standard socket and lamp (which doesn’t help). So, how do you select the right bulb temperature (aka color)? Let’s break down the different options below.

Lighting Temperatures
The lighting in your environment affects your energy levels and your mood. Different temperatures (colors) have different effects. Have you ever noticed that you have more energy on a sunny day or you get irritated when you’ve been in a department store for too long? Have you noticed the sleepy relaxing feel of a fireplace or how cloudy, rainy days steal your motivation? The lighting inside your home can cause similar sensations based on your light bulb temperatures. Let’s break down the different lighting temperatures and their effects on the visual environment.
Warm Light | 2000K-2900K | Yellow – Orange
This is best for the quiet spaces in your home. Warm light has a yellow or orange hue and is often associated with cozy or intimate settings. On a deep subconscious level, we associate this temperature with fire. Most people are comforted by fire because it provides heat, a cooking source, and memories of happy times shared with loved ones sitting around a fire. Some of these same emotions are triggered on a subconscious level when the light bulbs in your home are between 2000K-3000K. I suggest this temperature range in bedrooms, layered into the dining room, or any spaces where relaxing activities take place.
As a side note, candlelight is 1500K.
Neutral White | 3000K-3900K | Warm White with a Hint of Yellow
This is best for the most used spaces in your home. Neutral white light has become the go-to temperature. It has a good balance that’s neither too warm nor too cool. If you’re just looking for a “regular” bulb color, 3000K is the one you want. I suggest using this in all task-oriented spaces like the kitchen, hallways/stairwells, the basement, and in layering (which I explain below).
The 3000K end has a hint of yellow. As you get closer to 3900K, the yellow becomes less noticeable.

Natural & Cool White | 4000K-6500K | Bluish-White
People mistake this temperature range for the one they want throughout their home because it usually says “natural” on the box. This cool white light is often associated with daylight, but that’s not really what you want in your home as your main lighting temperature. What most people don’t realize is that the sun actually gives off a blue light (except for dusk and dawn where the warmer hues are visible). Blue light as the only artificial source in your home will not give the perception that your home has more natural light. It will actually overstimulate your senses and likely cause negative effects such as irritability and fatigue.
I suggest this temperature in areas where concentration, productivity, and alertness are important, such as your kitchen, home office, or gym. With that said, please note the section below about layering. It’s vital to layer warmer lights into these stimulating temperatures, especially in the kitchen.
Daylight | 6500K & Above | Blue
These 6500K+ temperatures are typically used in areas where enhanced visibility is needed. It’s ideal for spaces where a natural and vibrant look is desired, such as art studios, retail displays, and spaces with large windows.




Photos by Amie Hazel Interiors
How Lighting Color Temperatures Affect Us
There’s a misconception that “natural” and “daylight” bulbs will provide what we’re lacking from reduced exposure to natural sunlight. Outside lighting temperatures change throughout the day, which most people don’t really think about. These gradual temperature changes affect our mood and energy. Our bodies are programmed to be sleepy and less productive in the dimmer hours of the day (at dusk/dawn or when the sun is not visible), and more energetic at peak sunlight hours. We’re not meant to have unchanging stimulating bright lights enter our eyes all of the time. Overstimulation due to bright unchanging lighting can negatively affect your circadian rhythms which (among other factors) can cause irritability, fatigue, and even insomnia. So, installing 4000K-6500K bulbs will not mimic the everchanging natural sunlight because your bulbs won’t change color temperature.
Can Artificial Lighting Mimic Natural Lighting?
One of the reasons why natural sunlight is so appealing to us is because our bodies are biologically in rhythm with the sun. I would like to see larger windows in more homes to allow the natural healing properties of the sun into our lives, but that’s not always possible. Most of us don’t get outside enough and it’s affecting our health and well-being. Over-lighting your home with 4000K+ bulbs will not replace the natural circadian rhythm offered by the sun. However, there are amazing smart lighting options you can install that change color temperature throughout the day called human centric lighting or circadian lighting. Since this mimics sunlight, I highly recommend installing these wherever possible (see 11 second video below capturing the natural progression of sunlight throughout the day).
Layering Lighting
The right combination of lighting temperatures can be used to create visual interest and impact your mood within a given environment. Here are a few examples:
Family/Living Room: Setting the appropriate mood for your activity is essential. It’s beneficial to have multiple lighting sources and temperatures in your living/family area. If you’re sitting down to watch a movie with a bowl of popcorn, low yellow/orange lighting (2000K-2800K) is best. If it’s family game night and you’re playing charades or a board game, adding brighter neutral white light (3000K-4000K) to the relaxing yellow/orange will visually balance the room and offer more energy for your activity. Not to mention, it will be easier to see what you’re doing.
Kitchen: I suggest 3500K bulbs in your kitchen ceiling and 3000K-4000K (depending on your preference) under the cabinets to balance the space and provide adequate task lighting. If your kitchen lighting is too cool (4000K+), you’ll be less motivated to cook and your food won’t look as appealing. My favorite under cabinet lighting is a tunable tape option you can find through Hardware Resources (part #L-TK1Z1A-16). It has a remote control that allows you to tune between 2700K–5000K (demonstrated in the pictures above).
Office: I suggest 4000K-6500K in task lighting (desk lamps) in your office as these will help wake you up and increase productivity. I would still install 3000K-3500K in ambient (ceiling lights or floor lamps) to soften the overstimulating desk light. If you work long hours, it’s a good idea to alternate your temperatures so you don’t fatigue yourself with the 4000K+ lights.
Mimic Soothing Candle Light: In addition, layering in 1500K-2800K in the form of little accent lights like a salt lamp, string lights, or small task lighting within your visual field will further balance your space. These will even help if they’re only seen through your peripheral sightline. These can be used in any room, even on kitchen countertops. Don’t underestimate the power of these lights in enhancing your mood.



Conclusion
There is a lot you can do to change the “feel” of spaces within your home by selecting and layering different color temperatures of lighting. By making all ambient (ceiling lights) 3000K and layering 1500K-6500K, you can create any mood you desire.

Reach Out: If you’d like to discuss your personal design or ask questions about this blog, please reach out to me. Amie Hazel | 508-507-8282 | amie@ahazelinteriors.com
Please Note: These are strictly my opinions based on knowledge accumulated throughout my years in the design industry. I am not being paid for any of these blog posts or any of the products I suggest.