What does the term Kelvin actually mean?

The meaning of Kelvin in relation to light and luminaires

What is Kelvin?

The Kelvin scale is a unit for measuring the color temperature of light. It is named after the British physicist and engineer William Thomson, also known as Lord Kelvin, who revolutionized thermodynamics and temperature measurement in the 19th century.

Kelvin is a unit for measuring thermodynamic temperature based on the absolute zero scale, which is defined as the lowest theoretically possible temperature.

In contrast to the Celsius scale, which uses the freezing and boiling points of water as reference points, the Kelvin scale measures the energy emitted by an object.

A higher Kelvin value means a higher color temperature and a colder light color.

The light color of luminaires in different living areas

The color temperature in the room measured in Kelvin (K) does not only describe the light color of the installed lamp, but above all determines the prevailing atmosphere.

Whether a living area appears cozy and warm or functional and cool depends largely on the light color. In this blog post, we explain which Kelvin number you should use to create which ambience and where warm white light makes more sense and where cool white light makes more sense.

"The light color plays an important role in choosing the right lighting. However, it is important to note that the perception of light color can vary from person to person and therefore personal preferences can also play a role in the choice of light color."

How is Kelvin related to lamps?

The color temperature of light is influenced by different light sources, such as incandescent bulbs, LED lamps and neon tubes. Each light source has a different color temperature, which is determined by its Kelvin value. An incandescent lamp, for example, has a color temperature of around 2700 Kelvin and produces a warm, yellowish light, while an LED lamp with 5000 Kelvin produces a cooler, bluish light.

Kelvin for s.luce

s.luce Pendant lights are not only an expression of style and design, they also provide pleasant lighting in your home. Pendant lights from s.luce are known for their ability to fit perfectly into different room concepts, whether in a modern living room, kitchen or dining area. However, it is not only the design that is important, but also the light color, which is measured in Kelvin, plays a decisive role.

The Kelvin scale indicates how warm or cold the light from a lamp appears. As a rule, the Kelvin value for interior lighting is between 2700K and 6500K. A lower Kelvin number produces a warmer, yellowish light that creates a cozy atmosphere, while a higher Kelvin number produces a cooler, bluish light that is ideal for working. The s.luce luminaires are almost all equipped with an LED light source - s.luce lights are known for illuminating the living space with a pleasant color temperature of 2700 to 3000 Kelvin, setting the scene perfectly. Discover multiple pendant lights at s.luce that illuminate your home with the perfect light color and perfectly highlight your air spaces.

s.luce Multiple pendant lights are a fantastic element for those looking for a unique and effective lighting solution. They consist of multiple lights hanging from a central point, often at different heights to create an attractive and dynamic design. This type of lighting creates strong visual interest and has the ability to cast a mixture of direct and indirect light into the room, which is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Another important aspect of s.luce multiple pendant luminaires is that they are often equipped with LED lamps that produce a light color of 3000 Kelvin.

Pleasant atmosphere: A light color of 3000 Kelvin produces a warm white light that is pleasant to the eye. It creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere that is well suited to living areas.

Color rendering: This light color is close to the natural daylight color, which means that the colors in your room are displayed realistically and vividly. This is particularly important in rooms where colors and details are important, such as in the kitchen or when reading.

Energy efficiency: LED lamps with 3000 Kelvin are not only pleasing to the eye, but also energy efficient. A daylight lamp consumes less electricity than traditional incandescent lamps and lasts longer, which is both environmentally friendly and cost-efficient.

Versatility: A 3000 Kelvin light is a good balance between the warm and cool spectrum. It is well suited to a variety of applications and spaces, from living rooms and bedrooms to offices and kitchens. Overall, the combination of the visual interest of the s.luce multiple pendant lights and the warm, inviting atmosphere that a 3000 Kelvin light provides, offers a fantastic lighting solution for any home.

What light colors are actually available and where do I use which light color?

First of all, we want to give you a brief overview of what light colors there are and how many Kelvin each color temperature has. There are three different light colors: Warm white, neutral white or also known as universal white and daylight white, which is often referred to as cool white.

Incandescent bulbs, for example, always emit warm white light, whereas LED lamps are available in all three light colors.

Warm white light comprises the lower color temperatures between 2,700 and 3,300 Kelvin. Neutral white light lies exactly between warm white and cool white at 3,300 to 5,300 Kelvin and cool white or daylight white has a color temperature of over 5,300 Kelvin.

As our perception of a room is heavily dependent on the light color of the lighting, it is important that the right color temperature is used in every room - otherwise it quickly becomes uncomfortable in rooms where we actually want to relax or the light is not sober enough in other areas such as the study and makes us feel sleepy.

In living rooms such as the bedroom or living room and in the dining area, where a particularly cozy atmosphere is desired, warm white light below 3,300 Kelvin is recommended.

It has a cosy effect and is reminiscent of the lighting mood during an early sunset due to the rather yellowish to reddish hue. A luminaire in this Kelvin range therefore radiates a very homely ambience, which is perfect for areas where people relax or enjoy themselves.

A more universal or neutral white light color between 3,300 and 5,300 Kelvin, on the other hand, should be used in the bathroom, kitchen or study. There, it is no longer just about feeling comfortable, but the lighting must also support certain activities such as cooking, writing, reading, shaving or applying make-up.

The color temperature lies exactly between the very cozy reddish warm white and the rather bluish, extremely sober daylight white and thus appears sober, but not too cold - perfect for the home office area.

The extremely cool daylight with a color temperature of over 5,300 Kelvin is very rarely used in living spaces as it appears very sober and cold. However, it is definitely used in basements or sometimes in workplaces. In non-residential areas such as factories or store lighting, on the other hand, this light color is used more frequently.

Overview of light colors and their area of application

Where which light color with which number of Kelvin is suitable ultimately depends on our perception and can therefore also vary from person to person - there is no right answer here or wrong. To make it easier for you to choose the right light source for your luminaire, we provide a clear guide here:

Warm white light (2,700 to 3,300 Kelvin)

Cozy atmosphere for living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms

Neutral white light (3,300 to 5,300 Kelvin)

Sober, feel-good light for bathrooms, kitchens and offices

Daylight white light (over 5,300 Kelvin)

Very cool light for basements, the workplace or in non-private areas

Cold white light (over 6,500 Kelvin)

Suitable for special applications such as in photography or industry

Conclusion on light color

If you can't decide or want to use your light for different activities, you can also use the so-called Dimm2warm function with LEDs, pay attention to the CCT abbreviation or simply use an LED lamp that can be flexibly adjusted in terms of light color. This makes it possible to change a light from warm white to universal white or cool white.

Kelvin is an important unit for measuring the color temperature of light. Choosing the right color temperature for lamps can have a major influence on the mood and perception in a room. When buying lamps, it is therefore important to take the Kelvin value into account and choose the right color temperature for the room

If you are still undecided about how you want to implement the lighting, why not make an appointment with the lighting professionals at Skapetze for a personal consultation and the development of an individual lighting concept.

You are also welcome to visit us on site in Simbach am Inn in our lighting studio.

If you already have a concrete idea of how the lights should look in your home, we can help you turn this idea into reality - our in-house workshop makes it possible.