Lighting is one of the most influential aspects of a home environment. There are various options of white light to choose from, so here we discuss the differences between 2700K vs 5000K light to help you determine the best choice for your space.
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To understand their differences, you first need to understand that color temperature is a way to describe the light given off by a bulb in terms of how warm or cool it appears.
A color temperature measurement is designed to show you how warm or cool white light colors appear.
Therefore, a white light’s color is denoted by a number on the Kelvin scale, which precisely establishes the degree of warmth for the white color. This lets you pick the light or product based its purpose.
The main distinction between these LED light bulbs is the hue of the white light they emit.
There are other common descriptions of the same light colors or similar, so it may be helpful to also compare warm white vs cool white or soft white vs daylight to help you decide.
The LED light bulbs and lighting fixtures you choose for your home or office will impact the look and feel of the space, so it’s important to select the right color temperature to suit the function and aesthetic of each space.
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2700K white light is best used in areas where you want to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, such as living rooms and bedrooms. The lower color temperature of this warm white light makes it appear softer, more inviting and cozy than daylight.
2700K lights are typically used in:
2700K is subjectively described as warm white by some bulb manufacturers.
A 5000K color temperature is mid-way up the kelvin scale which ranges from 1000K to 10,000K.
Cool white light has a bluish tint and is sometimes compared to daylight. This makes it ideal for task lighting in places where you need clear vision, like a home office or workshop.
5000K lights are typically used in:
5000K is subjectively described as cold white by some bulb manufacturers.
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The level of light that creates brightness is called lumens. The brighter the light, the more lumens it has. So, true brightness as judged by how much light is emitted does not depend on the color of white light.
The level of brightness your eyes perceive is determined by the color temperature. So even though 2700K and 5000K both emit a bright light, the 5000k will appear brighter than 2700K. This happens because it emits more blue light, which our eyes register as being at the higher end of the visible spectrum.
The colors of everything in your home are only visible as light is falling onto it and reflecting the pigment color to your eyes. As the light changes so does the apparent color and appearance of your space, the walls, floor, objects, and furnishings in it.
If your home is mostly furnished with cool colors like black, gray and white, then a colder LED color temperature would best complement your decor, this could include a 5000K bulb in some circumstances.
Warmer earthy tones of timber cupboard door fronts or parquet flooring for example, would benefit from the warmer tones of 2700K light.
Did you know that within all white light, there is a hidden brain stimulant triggered by the degree of blue light in the mix? Amazingly, different color temperatures can change people’s moods.
So a 2700K causes the release of the hormone melatonin, which relaxes you and makes you sleepy. On the other hand, a high color temperature of 5000K triggers the release of serotonin, giving you more energy.
Use the 2700K warmer whites for evening lighting to help your body prepare for sleep, and colder 5000K whites for daytime activities.
A home kitchen is a great space to investigate what degree of kelvin should be used and where.
For general ambient lighting, a 5000K light will create a fresh, modern feel that is safe to prepare food in, yet for some occasions, it would be too cold and an ambient light would need to be predominantly 2700K.
Task lighting for cutting food in over-counter lights could be a higher color temperature like 5000K. This is because the blue-light will produce more contrast and make it easier to see what you are doing.
For accent lighting, 2700K light can create a warm, inviting feel by adding washes of yellow and red tones to your walls and surfaces.
The use of 5000K in residential kitchens is not as common as 2700K but it can work well to supplement the natural lighting during the day, especially in large kitchens with plenty of daylight coming in.
If you have a small kitchen or want to create a warm and inviting atmosphere then 2700K is more suitable. These lower color temperatures will make the space feel cozier.
The CRI is a measure of a light bulb’s ability to show object colors “realistically” or “naturally”. A higher CRI means colors will appear more accurately under the light and has nothing to do with color temperature.
Both 2700K & 5000K can have a good color rendering, despite having colder or warmer hues of light.
So, when it comes to 2700K vs 5000K, the main difference is in the type of light they emit. 2700K emits a warm light while 5000K emits a cool light. Use the warmer light in common living areas and save the 5000K cold white for more functional tasks and areas.
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