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Warm White vs Natural White vs Cool White LED Light

Published by RioTinto 2024-01-22

Warm white light or cool white light or natural white light - that is the question. Choosing the right light bulb color is a decision that many people have to make. Many couples have probably debated this issue for a long time. What do 'warm white', 'natural' and 'cool white' mean? Does it mean the heat emitted by the bulb or something else? Don't worry, we'll explain everything you need to know!

When LED first hit the market, most emitted blue light and weren't always suitable for different types of applications. Many people were reluctant to use them in their homes because they were new, unproven technology and more expensive than incandescent or fluorescent lights. Fortunately, with improved specifications and lower costs, this technology is making a comeback. It is now more energy efficient and you can choose the color of the light emitted from the bulb.

What are Warm White Light, Natural White Light, and Cool White Light?

The color temperature indicates the tint of white light emitted by the bulb, ranging from red to yellow to blue.  Bulbs do not emit heat, but rather light that can be described by its color temperature measured in kelvins. The color temperature indicates the tint of white light emitted by the bulb, ranging from red to yellow to blue. Bulbs are available in soft, warm tones, neutral white, or crisp, cool light. This spectrum helps you choose the right colors for a room based on its function.

  • Warm white color temperature emits a soft, soothing, and relaxing light with an orange or yellow tone, making it ideal for creating a comfortable atmosphere. It is possible to replace a 60W incandescent bulb with a 6W LED bulb and still achieve the same sunny afternoon glow.

  •  Cool White color temperature have blue or cool tones and produce bright light, making them perfect for task lighting.  They work well with bold themes, minimally decorated spaces, and predominantly white rooms.
  • Natural White color temperature have a clean white light free from any yellow or blue tints, making them ideal for task lighting as well. They are bright and easy on the eyes, and usually have a color temperature of around 4,000K. 

How to Choose between the three? 

It is not necessary to make an either/or decision. You can use all types of bulbs in the same room, wire them to different switches, and then use them as needed. For example, you could install warm bulbs for overhead lighting and use cool and natural variants for task lighting. Warm white lights are great for the living room, bedrooms, and hallways. However, be cautious when using cool temperature bulbs as having too many of them can make your home look too intense. Therefore, it is important to carefully select the areas where you will install them. The kitchen, bathroom, and office are suitable for these color temperatures because they require clear and focused lighting for various tasks. Natural temperature bulbs are also ideal for task lighting without being too harsh, so they can be used throughout the home, including in the kitchen, closets, storage room, and office.

Different Applications of Cool White, Natural White, and Warm White

  • Cool White Light and Natural White Light for Kitchen Worktops. They create a modern look and effectively light the surface below. When choosing a color temperature for your kitchen, opt for cool or natural white for task lighting, such as work surfaces, and warm white for ambiance.
  • Warm White Light for Kitchen Cabinet Base. To create a relaxing atmosphere in your kitchen, install warm strip lights on the base of your cabinets. 
  • Warm, Natural, or Cool White Light for Bedroom Lamps. For your bedroom lamps, choose between warm, natural, or cool white light depending on the atmosphere you prefer. You can choose the effect you prefer as each light creates a different one. 

Instead of choosing between warm, natural, or cool white lights, consider where to place them. If you're looking for high-quality LED lights, visit our website!

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