Whenever you buy a bulb, pay attention to the CCT number. Not without purpose, CCT plays a great deal on how the light would turn out. And eventually, how the ambiance in the whole room would establish. What is lighting CCT, and how do you apply it so you will benefit from it? This article answers everything.
CCT, or Correlated Color Temperature, is how the light from the bulb would emit. In marketing terms, it’s often called the ‘color temperatures of the light. However, most people usually identify it as the light’s ‘warmth’ or ‘coolness.’
CCT is usually conveyed in the unit of Kelvin (K), and it ranges between 1000 to 12000. The higher the number, the brighter and ‘cooler’ that the light would appear. However, most lightbulbs vary between 2700 to 5000.
To help you grasp the idea of the range, see the lighting CCT diagram below.
In a psychological aspect, color temperature can be connected to a human’s circadian rhythms or body clock.
For example, take this case; in a bright and well-lit room, you will find yourself more aware and focused. It’s because your body associates your surroundings with the time of daylight when most people work and get productive.
Indeed, the color temperature of lighting adapts to the same rule. See this lighting CCT chart for a more explicit depiction.
Moreover, color temperature can also affect mood and the heart rates of the beholder. It’s used to create a certain feeling and ambiance to the space the light is filling in. Therefore, picking the right color temperature could affect your whole well-being without noticing.
Considering lighting CCT means you’re ready to create a room with an ambiance that will serve and complement its purpose.
So, which one of the many bulbs to choose for which room? Here’s a simplified – yet complete – guide for you:
As everyone seeks comfort in the bedroom, it should be relaxing. Choose a warm tone bulb within 2700-3500K, and add a task light such as a table lamp on the work desk area to regain focus.
For the bathrooms, choose the color temperature that would give a warm vibe, complement your skin and also be able to provide enough lighting. Pick a bulb within 2700-3000K, then put a brighter task light as a guide.
Kitchens need to be bright, as many injury-inducing activities require high focus. However, it also needs to look inviting and warm. The best option is to choose a bulb that ranges from 4000-4500K.
Get the hungry bellies even hungrier! In dining rooms, it’s better to use 2700-3000K bulbs. It will accentuate the color of the foods and make them more appetizing. Also, the warm-and-friendly mood will help people to engage in more conversation.
Most living rooms will receive light from the outside. So, the best choice is to buy a warm-toned bulb that ranges between 2200-3000K. You can get creative with the layering and placement, so that the light would fuse beautifully with the natural sunlight.
Safety and security first. For outdoors, choose bright 2500-4000K bulbs, so the vicinity is visible. However, it’s ok to show off a bit and put a 2500-2700K accent light to accentuate that piece of architecture, the trees, or the flowerbed you love.
Books can be intimidating. So put in 2700-3000K bulbs to create an inviting effect. You can also add a downlight or track light to highlight the shelves or the area you’d be reading.
You’ll want a perfect vision in the garage, especially if it’s a fully-concealed garage. So it’s best to choose a bulb that’s neither too warm nor too cool, ranging from 4500K to 5800K. That lighting will prevent your garage from looking dingy without being astonishingly bright either.
Want to avoid confusion between dark blue and black? Add a bright bulb to your walk-in closet. The best temperature for closets is between 4000-5000K. It’ll help your clothes’ color pop more brilliant.
However practical, remember that the guidance above is general. It might differ depending on your wishes, locations, or circumstances. So, it’s best to consult a professional to get the best out of your spaces.
Meet Elca, a professional lighting company that can help you find the best product suitable for all your requirements. Elca provides various products, ranging from indoor lighting to outdoor to underwater lighting.
Every product in Elca is intricately crafted, and can be customized however you want. That includes the range of your lighting CCT, Lux and CRI. If you wonder what those are and how those affect your lighting needs, don’t hesitate to give Elca a call.
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