Warm White or Cool White? A Guide to Color Temperature and Bulbs
The same lamp can make a room feel cozy or clinical, depending on the light it gives. Color temperature, brightness and the bulb base are the three things to check, and they are all listed on the product page.
Color temperature, in Kelvin
Color temperature describes how warm (yellow) or cool (blue) white light looks. It is measured in Kelvin (K): the lower the number, the warmer the light.
- 2200K to 2700K, candlelight to soft warm: living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms in the evening.
- 3000K, warm white: an everyday choice for most of the home, and for porches and patios.
- 4000K, neutral white: kitchens, home offices, bathrooms and garages, where you need to see detail.
- 5000K to 6500K, daylight to cool white: workshops, task lighting and bright outdoor security lighting.
Keep to one color temperature in each room, or two close together. Mixing warm and cool lights in one space tends to look patchy.
Lights with more than one color
Some lights let you choose. The Dualume outdoor wall light comes in 3000K or 6000K, and the Arcwell in warm or cold white, so pick the version that suits the spot. Cordless lamps such as Spire, Hazel and Mabel switch between three light colors, so you can change the mood without changing the bulb.
Brightness: lumens, not watts
Watts measure how much power a bulb uses; lumens measure how much light it gives. LED bulbs give the same light as old incandescent bulbs for far fewer watts, so compare lumens:
- about 450 lumens: like a 40W incandescent bulb
- about 800 lumens: like a 60W incandescent bulb
- about 1100 lumens: like a 75W incandescent bulb
- about 1600 lumens: like a 100W incandescent bulb
Never use a bulb above the maximum wattage listed for the fixture.
Color rendering (CRI)
CRI (color rendering index) shows how naturally colors look under a light, on a scale up to 100. For reading, makeup, hobbies or a desk, look for CRI 90 or higher. The Wren desk lamp, for example, is listed at CRI 95.
Bulb bases
The base is the part of the bulb that fits the socket. The common ones are:
- E26 (medium): the standard screw base in US homes, used in most table lamps, floor lamps and pendants.
- E27: the European standard screw base, 1 mm wider than E26. Some lights list both E26 and E27.
- E12 (candelabra): a smaller screw base used in chandeliers and candle-style wall sconces, such as the Rhodes chandelier.
- G9: a small two-pin base used in compact fixtures, such as the Alvera alabaster sconce.
The Specifications table on each product page lists the socket type and whether bulbs are included. If you're not sure which bulb to buy, email us before you order.
Dimming
To dim a light on a wall dimmer, you need both a dimmable bulb and a dimmer switch that works with LED bulbs. A bulb that is not dimmable may flicker or buzz on a dimmer. Lights with integrated LEDs list whether they are dimmable, and some, like many cordless lamps, dim with a touch control instead.
Quick picks by room
- Living room and bedroom: 2700K to 3000K, with dimming.
- Dining room: 2700K to 3000K, dimmable, with candelabra or globe bulbs that look good on show.
- Kitchen and home office: 3000K to 4000K, CRI 90 or higher at work surfaces.
- Porch and patio: 3000K for a welcoming glow; cooler white where you want brighter security lighting.
Questions about a bulb or fixture? Email us at support@lumorahearth.com.