Lighting plays a big part in anybody’s mood, especially in the office. An international study by Staples showed that 80% of employees said good LED office lighting in office spaces is essential.
When it comes to lighting offices, LED lighting has slowly replaced fluorescent lights in recent years. This shift is because office LED lighting is more energy efficient than fluorescent lights in the long run.
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But don’t just put any LED bulbs on your lighting fixtures. You’ll want to consider the LED’s colour temperature because it plays a big part in how it looks and how people feel when they work.
But in office LED lighting, what is the colour temperature? And what is the ideal LED for office lighting colour temperature? Let’s discuss these questions in detail.
What Is Colour Temperature in LED Office Lighting?
Colour temperature describes the light emitted by a light source, such as an LED light. It’s measured in Kelvin degrees (K) on a scale of 1,000 to 10,000. Colour temperatures are generally classified as
- Warm White. From 2000K to 3000K, the LED light produces “warm white.” Warm white light can look orange to yellow-white in appearance.
- Cool White. Light source colour temperatures from 3100K and 4500K produce white “cool white” or bright white.
- Daylight. Temperature above 4500K gives the appearance of sunlight. You can usually find this in industrial and manufacturing applications.
Light colour temperature directly affects how people feel in the space. Therefore, when choosing LED for office lighting, it helps to know which colour temperature to use.
Related: What You Should Know Before Installing LED Lights
How to Choose the Right Colour Temperature
The colour temperatures you choose for LED office lighting will influence your employees’ mood and productivity.
Generally, warm yellow lights are better for a cosy, relaxing atmosphere, and cool, flicker-free office lighting is excellent for concentration and productivity. When choosing the correct colour temperatures for different office areas, ask yourself the following questions:
- What is the room’s purpose?
- What kind of ambience do I want to create?
- What is the intended look and style?
What Is the Purpose Behind the Room?
If it’s a space where people need to be productive, you may want to use bright lighting (around 3000k to 4000K). However, in employee lounges or other relaxing environments where employees go to wind down, you may want to choose warmer colour temperatures.
What Kind of Ambiance Do I Want to Create?
Do you want the room to appear relaxed and inviting? Or should people feel alert and productive? Light colour temperature plays a big part in a space’s look and style. Cool tones make a room more conducive for work, while warmer tones make it more unhurried.
If possible, lighting should vary throughout the day. It should be cooler in the morning to help employees be active, and as the day goes by, it should slowly shift to warm lighting to help employees wind down.
What Is the Intended Look and Style?
This relates more to the space’s interior and depends mainly on the design, style of the fixtures, and the overall feel.
Different Applications Need Different Color Temps for LED Office Lighting
The type of LED light fixtures you select depends on the function of the office area. Here are some suggested lighting temperatures for the different spaces.
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Employee Break Room
Breaks rooms are meant for relaxation, so warm lighting is ideal for this type of space.
Office Corridor
Office corridors usually have very little or no natural light. Depending on the style and design, LED office lighting for office corridors is typically from 3000K to 4000 K (warm white). The lights should ideally have diffusers to reduce glare.
Lobby Office
The lobby is the place where your company greets people. To make a great first impression, consider a cooler white temperature lighting. This also keeps your employees at the desk looking and feeling alert. Depending on your LED light brand, this is usually around 5000K.
Bathroom
Cool white colour temperatures typically work for most bathrooms because this gives them a welcoming, refreshing feel. Depending on the brand, this is usually around 3200K to 4500K.
Kitchen/Dining Room
In choosing LED office lighting for an employee lunch or dining room, a warm colour temperature is recommended, so employees feel relaxed during their break. At the same time, daylight temperatures LED lights (about 5000K) are best for the kitchen.
Choose LED Office Lighting
In artificial light, LED is more economical and healthier for your employees in the long run. In LED for office lighting, the colour temperature of LED lights can make a difference in how the room feels. Generally, warmer lighting is more relaxed, while cooler lighting temperature is more conducive to alertness and productivity.
Do you need help installing and choosing LED lights for your commercial spaces? We can help. Call us today.
