Choosing Lighting Temperatures for a Comfortable Home
The Dilemma
Lighting temperature has a bigger impact on a home’s atmosphere than most people imagine. Even with a beautifully designed layout, the wrong colour temperature can make a room feel cold, flat or clinical.
The dilemma is understanding what different temperatures actually do and choosing one that supports the way you want your home to feel.
The Options
Option 1: Warm White (2700K)
Soft, comfortable and flattering.
Pros:
• ideal for living rooms and bedrooms
• makes colours feel richer
• forgiving on skin tones
Cons:
• can feel slightly yellow in very cool-toned interiors
Option 2: Soft Warm White (3000K)
A balance between warmth and clarity.
Pros:
• works well throughout the home
• more neutral than 2700K
• good in kitchens and hallways
Cons:
• can shift cooler in north-facing rooms
Option 3: Cool White (4000K and above)
Crisp and bright.
Pros:
• good for utility rooms, garages or task areas
• enhances visibility
Cons:
• often feels clinical in living spaces
• flattens colour
The Decision Criteria
1. Room purpose
Evening rooms benefit from warmer tones.
Working rooms or highly functional spaces can handle brighter, cooler light.
2. Wall colour and materials
Warm paint and timber flooring glow under warm lighting.
Cool greys, steels and modern finishes can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures.
3. Daylight quality
In dark or north-facing rooms, warm lighting compensates for cool natural light.
In bright spaces, warm-light bulbs balance daylight fluctuations.
4. Consistency
Mixing temperatures in one room makes even good interiors feel unsettled.
Aim for one temperature per space.
5. Dimming
Warm light on a dimmer provides flexibility, mood and comfort.
At lower intensities, warm tones feel more natural.
The Recommendation
For most homes, choose 2700K for living spaces and bedrooms and 3000K for kitchens and hallways.
Avoid 4000K except in utility rooms or workshops.
Above all, prioritise consistency. A single lighting temperature throughout a room creates harmony, warmth and visual comfort.
A Quick Tip
If you’re unsure, buy two bulbs at different temperatures and test them at night in the actual room. The difference is immediate.
