LED lights have a lot of benefits that go beyond energy efficiency and low cost running. They can be used in almost any situation around the home but it’s ability to offer a variety of different colors to choose from, that can unlock a deeper response from within us.
We look at the best LED light colors for different situations so you know which one is best-suited for what room. You’ll also learn how color psychology affects mood, what LED light colors mean and what effects specific colors can have on your well being.
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Chromotherapy is a form of alternative medicine that makes use of color to heal the human body.
It’s based on the color psychology theories that different colors evoke certain emotions, thoughts and physical responses in people.
For example red is said to increase your heart rate while blue can lower it. This therapy has been around for centuries but modern research suggests there might be something in this theory after all.
Modern research into our circadian responses to light have brought the use of light color in interior design to new heights.
Colors are scientifically proven to have an effect on our brains, but how does it work?
The answer lies within the hypothalamus, which is a pea-size gland in your brain. This area of the brain is responsible for controlling things like hunger and tiredness by releasing hormones that affect you physically. It also has another function, which is to control your mood.
So there are LED light colors for different moods.
In previous studies, researchers have found that when you’re exposed to a certain color light for about 20 minutes it can affect how you feel and even the decisions you make in life! This effect does not only take place while we are awake but also has an influence on our sleeping patterns.
This is also true when it comes to sleeping and waking up because this area of the brain produces a hormone called Melatonin that regulates your sleep cycle, which can be affected by light exposure at night.
When it comes to interior decorating and creating different scenes and moods within your home, DIY LED light colors can be created easily with smart lights.
Smart lighting is a powerful tool that can be used to evoke moods and feelings from within you. It’s incredible that you can now ask what color should my led lights be and there is a product that can create it.
Take a look at the best LED light colors for different moods, and see how your enviroment can benefit from the right color choice for the right space and occasion.
Whether you’re trying to relax at the end of a hectic day or have just got home after a long journey and need some alone time – color plays an important part in how we feel and what color should I put my LED lights on.
Out of the approximate 10 million colors the human eye can see, here are the best LED light colors for different locations and situations so you can get the most out of your smart lighting system.
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Let’s take a look at which LED light colors suit could work best for you and your activities at home.
The best LED light color for a kitchen is white, which is probably one of the most popular choices when it comes to LED light colors.
White has a calming effect and makes people feel more relaxed. This color can make any room in your home look bigger than it actually is so if you’re working on de-cluttering the kitchen this may be an effective way of making everything seem less cluttered.
This may seem obvious, but did you know that there are variations white LED light colors? For example:
If you want your kitchen to be seen as relaxing then choose between a warm or a cool white LED light color to suit the mood you’re trying for.
Our kitchen lighting design guide looks at how the kitchen is a space in your home that requires different lighting at night than it does during the day. A flexible and adaptive design should utilise the opportunities that smart lights bring, with adjustable and dimming/”>dimmable colors easily created for an interesting and fun space.
For the best light color for a bathroom, white is again a popular choice because of its calming effect.
A warm white color can also bring out the best in your skin tone so compliments any makeup you may be wearing and makes teeth look whiter than they actually are. This light color works well in nearly every room in the home from the bathroom to the bedroom.
A cool white light, on the other hand, can make a room feel modern and contemporary which is great if you want your space to look stylish and zen at the same time.
If you have makeup that requires a warm or cool tone then it’s best to avoid LED lights with fixed colors in the bathroom.
Some smart LED lights come with color temperature settings so you can choose between warm 2700K or cool 4000K to get the right effect for your space.
If you want a more intense light in this room then white is best but if you’re looking for something softer and more relaxing, opt for warmer yellow tones instead.
The best LED light for cleaning will be the brightest most blue enriched white light possible, a very cool white light. Choose a 4000K to 5500K color temperature for a fresh bright environment that helps with task lighting.
The best light color for a bedroom is red, which works well because most people sleep better when they’re surrounded by this color.
As with the bathroom, having LED lights with adjustable colors is great so you can change it to your mood or have different settings throughout the night.
Red has been shown to increase heart rate and make us feel more alive so is best used sparingly. Red is easier on the eye as it’s wavelength is weaker than most other colors compared to the same intensity of light.
It may be a popular color for bedrooms but it’s worth noting that some people don’t respond well to red and find the light too intense, in which case yellow or orange would be better choices.
As with any smart lighting system, if you’re wanting an intense level of brightness then white may be best but if you want to set the mood for sleep then opt for a warm color instead.
When it comes to studying, the best LED light colors for studying are whites because this has been proven to increase productivity.
If you want to kickstart your brain and prevent yourself from getting tired, however, then a cool white LED light color will keep you on task for longer and help with concentration and focus.
White light is actually a mixture of red green and blue light and the cooler the white color the more it is enriched with a hidden blue light. Blue light is proven to supress melatonin, the hormone that is naturally released as the day progresses.
If you want to study in the evening and still get a good nights sleep, then a warm white color is best.
The best LED light color for sleep is red, yellow or orange because they create a calming and relaxing atmosphere.
Studies show that the presence of red and green wavelengths in warm colors such as these can help us feel more at ease so why not take advantage?
Having different settings on your smart lights means you can have them automatically switch off to help you drift off to sleep and the best LED light color for this is warm white or amber.
If you have a room dedicated to studying then white is best but if it’s also used for other purposes, like watching TV or reading before bed, opt for an LED lighting system with adjustable colors instead so can control the intensity of the lights depending on what you’re doing at that time.
The best LED light color for watching Netflix is a warm white 2700K or even an warmer white of 2500K.
This type of light color is a little fresher than candlelight, which is less harsh and easier on the eyes. It won’t cause eye strain or fatigue while you watch your favorite show or movie, and it will allow you to focus on the colors created on the screen more without distractions.
A warm white hue creates a cozy atmosphere that is perfect for relaxing in front of the TV, especially when dimmed.
It’s interesting that too much light, flashing light and the wrong colors for certain people can cause headaches and migraines. Yet, being used wisely can aid health and even decrease headache intensity.
The power of light and its effect on the human body is harnessed in the practice of light therapy.
If you suffer from migraines then it’s worth looking into a specific light therapy device as they can be very effective when used correctly.
In 2018 a study into the effects of light on our health confirmed that the colors of red, amber, blue and white were more likely to intensify headaches in twice as many people as green light did. Other colors were known to set off headaches in 18% of people, just 3% were started by green light.
Green light therapy can be used at home to ease symptoms as a preventative measure.
These lamps emit a narrow band of green light, restricting the use of blues and reds that the usual recipe for white light requires. (white light is made up from varying mixtures of red, green and blue colors).
This purer green light activates a region of the brain involved in pain processing more than than other colors.
The Color Rendering of light also plays an important role in getting your lighting right too.
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