Written by MIRORlab Design Team
A complete guide to choosing the right light temperature for your home and workspace.
Ever noticed how light can feel drastically different from one space to another? The difference lies in light color temperature - a key factor that impacts both mood and functionality in any space.
What Is Light Color Temperature?
Think about the stark difference between bright supermarket fluorescents and the warm glow of your favorite restaurant. This variation is light color temperature at work. As the temperature of a light bulb changes, so does its color output - higher temperatures produce cooler, whiter light, while lower temperatures create warmer, yellower illumination.
The Kelvin Scale: Measuring Light Temperature
The Kelvin scale (K) is the standard measurement for light color temperature. While Kelvin is technically a thermodynamic temperature unit equal to Celsius in magnitude, in lighting terms it's simpler: the higher the Kelvin rating, the cooler and whiter the light appears.
Choosing the Right Kelvin Temperature
Most household lighting falls between 2700K (warm incandescent), 3000K (warm white halogen) and 3500K (household fluorescent). Light temperatures above 3500K are typically reserved for commercial or hospital settings, as their bluish daylight cast can feel harsh in residential spaces. When selecting new lighting, considering the Kelvin temperature ensures you'll achieve your desired ambiance.
The Complete Kelvin Light Temperature Spectrum
- Below 2000K: Resembles candlelight - perfect for ambient, low-light areas
- 2000K-3000K: Soft white/yellow glow - ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, dining areas and outdoor spaces
- 3100K-4500K: Bright white light - best for kitchens, offices and task-focused areas
- 4600K-6500K: Blue-white daylight equivalent - suited for work environments requiring bright illumination
- Above 6500K: Intense bluish light - typically found in commercial settings for focused task lighting
MIRORlab's Approach to Light Temperature
At MIRORlab, we specialize in LED lighting between 1800K-2700K, creating a campfire-like glow that promotes relaxation throughout your home. This warm color temperature range provides the perfect ambiance for evening activities - whether you're watching TV, hosting dinner guests, reading before bed, or doing light desk work.
Why 1800K is Better Than 2700K for Ambient Night Lighting?
The difference between 1800K and 2700K lighting for nighttime use comes down to several key factors that make the lower temperature 1800K option superior for creating a relaxing evening environment:
More Natural Evening Light Simulation
1800K lighting produces a deeper amber glow that more closely resembles sunset, candlelight, or campfire light - the only light sources humans were exposed to after dark for thousands of years. This makes it more aligned with our evolutionary biology than the relatively whiter 2700K light.
Enhanced Melatonin Production
The 1800K light contains significantly less blue wavelength light than 2700K. While 2700K is still considered "warm" lighting, it produces more blue light than 1800K. This difference matters because blue light is particularly effective at suppressing melatonin production, which is crucial for healthy sleep cycles.
More Conducive to Relaxation
The deeper amber tone of 1800K lighting creates a more pronounced relaxing effect compared to 2700K. This warmer light triggers stronger psychological associations with evening rest and relaxation, promoting a mental state more conducive to winding down.
Better for Transitioning to Sleep
Using 1800K lighting in the hours before bed creates a more effective transition between daytime wakefulness and nighttime sleep than 2700K. The very warm tone signals to your body that it's time to prepare for sleep, making the transition to darkness less abrupt.
Creates a More Distinctive Ambiance
While 2700K provides a warm glow similar to traditional incandescent bulbs, 1800K creates a more distinctive and specialized evening ambiance. The amber light of 1800K adds a special quality to your home that standard warm lighting cannot match, enhancing the coziness and intimacy of evening spaces.