What does the term Kelvin actually mean?

The significance of Kelvin in relation to light and lighting

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.

Unlike 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 cooler light color.

The light color of luminaires in different living areas

The color temperature in the room measured in Kelvin (K) not only describes the light color of the installed lamp, but rather determines the prevailing atmosphere

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Whether your living space feels cozy and warm or functional and cool depends largely on the color of the light. In this blog post, we'll explain which Kelvin number you can use to create which atmosphere and where warm white light makes more sense and where cool white light is more appropriate.

"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 personal preferences can therefore also play a role in the choice of light color."

How is Kelvin related to lamps?

The color temperature of light is influenced by various 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. For example, an incandescent bulb 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 at s.luce

s.luce Pendant lights are not only an expression of style and design, they also provide pleasant lighting in your home. The pendant lights from s.luce are known for fitting perfectly into various room concepts, whether in a modern living room, kitchen, or dining area. But it's not just the design that's important; the light color, measured in Kelvin, also 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 indoor 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. Almost all of s.luce's lights are equipped with LED bulbs - s.luce Lights are known for illuminating living spaces with a pleasant color temperature of 2700 to 3000 Kelvin, creating the perfect atmosphere. Discover multiple pendant lights at s.luce, which illuminate your home with the perfect light color and 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 several 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 lights is that they are often equipped with LED bulbs that produce a light color of 3000 Kelvin.

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

Color rendering: This light color is close to the natural color of daylight, which means that the colors in your room are rendered 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 bulbs with 3000 Kelvin are not only easy on the eyes, but also energy efficient. A daylight lamp consumes less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs and lasts longer, which is both environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

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

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

First, we would like to give you a brief overview of the light colors that are available and how many Kelvin each color temperature has. There are three different light colors: warm white, neutral white (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 covers the lower color temperatures between 2,700 and 3,300 Kelvin . Neutral white light lies exactly between warm white and cool white in terms of Kelvin, at 3,300 to 5,300 Kelvin, and cool white or daylight white has a color temperature of over 5,300 Kelvin.

Since our perception of a room depends heavily on the color of the lighting, it is important that the appropriate color temperature is used in each room – otherwise, rooms where we actually want to relax quickly become uncomfortable, or the light in other areas, such as the study, is not sober enough and makes us sleepy.

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

It has a cozy effect and, due to its yellowish to reddish hue, is reminiscent of the lighting atmosphere during the beginning of sunset. A light in this Kelvin range thus radiates a very cozy ambience, which is perfect for areas where you relax or enjoy yourself.

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. In these areas, it is no longer just a matter of feeling comfortable; the lighting must also support certain activities such as cooking, writing, reading, shaving, or applying makeup.

The color temperature lies exactly between the very cozy reddish warm white and the rather bluish, extremely sober daylight white and has an effect So factual, but not too cold – perfect for the home office area.

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 often used in basements and sometimes in workplaces. In non-private areas, such as factories or shop lighting, this type of light color is more common.

Overview of light colors and their areas of application

Which light color with which Kelvin number is suitable ultimately depends on our perception and can therefore vary from person to person – there is no right or wrong here. Nevertheless, to make it easier for you to choose the right light source for your luminaire, we offer 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)

Functional, comfortable lighting for bathrooms, kitchens, and offices

Daylight white light (over 5,300 Kelvin)

Very cool light for basements, workplaces, or non-private areas

Cool white light (over 6,500 Kelvin)

Suitable for special applications such as photography or industrialuse 

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 for LEDs, look for the abbreviation CCT, or simply use an LED lamp that allows you to flexibly adjust the light color. This makes it possible to switch 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 impact on the mood and perception in a room. When buying lamps, it is therefore important to consider the Kelvin value and choose the right color temperature for the room.

If you are still undecided about how you want to implement the lighting, please feel free to 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 at our lighting studio in Simbach am Inn.

If you already have a specific idea of how you want the lights in your home to look, we can help you turn that idea into reality—our in-house workshop makes it possible.