If you’ve been out shopping for lightbulbs lately, you’ve probably noticed that there seem to be hundreds of options out there. For now, I want you to just forget about the fact that there so many choices to make for size, wattage, etc., because we are going to focus on something that can have aย majorย impact on the look and feel of your home…light bulbย color temperature.ย
What is Color Temperature?
In recent years, we’ve seen a major shift away from traditional incandescent light bulbs to more energy efficient options for a light source. When incandescent bulbs were the only choice, we didn’t have to think so much about color temperature, because incandescent bulbs pretty much all have the same warm white light “color.” But now that we have LEDs and fluorescent bulbs on the market, there is now a wide range of color temperatures to choose from!
Most bulbs these days come in a range of temperatures in degrees Kelvin, and you’ll usually see these values written someplace on the packaging:
- Soft Whiteย (2700K โ 3000K)
- Bright White/Cool Whiteย (3500K โ 4100K)
- Daylightย (5000K โ 6500K)
Most people automatically assume they should get Soft White bulbs, because that sounds kinda cozy and not too harsh, right? NOT SO FAST! Soft White bulbs could be completely wrong for your space!
If you look at the Color Temperature Scale below, you can see that a lower temperature means the bulb will cast a warmer light (red, orange, or yellow) into the room, and a higher value will cast cooler light (blue or violet) into your room. Just so you know, incandescent bulbs typically fall into the Soft White (2700-3000K) range on the Kelvin scale.

Why Does Light Bulb Color Temperature Matter?
Why is this such a big deal? Different color temperatures will affect the way other colors in your room look, as well as the overall feel of the room. Just take a look at the next picture, showing 4 different light bulb color temperatures used in the light fixtures of the same bathroom. In fact, I want you to focus on how the paint color seems to change drastically with color temperature. In the far left picture, the wall near the light fixture looks beige, but in the far right picture, it looks blue!ย

OK, now look at the wall that is reflected in the mirror. See how in that first picture the reflected wall has a bit of a greenish-gray look? It also looks completely different than the wall color near the light fixture. As the light temperature gets cooler, in the pictures to the right, you can see that the two wall colors start to resemble each other much closer. Pretty amazing, right?ย
Here’s another room where you can see four different color temperature bulbs used in the bedside lamps. Which one says cozy bedroom retreat to you? Which one feels more like a sterile hospital room?

Can you see why choosing the right bulb temperature can be so important for your home decorating? Not only can the light bulb color temperature change the look of your paint colors, pillow colors, furniture colors, etc., but it can also have a major impact on how youย feelย in the room.ย
What Light Bulb Color Temperature Should You Choose?
Now that you are armed with information about color temperature, it’s time to choose your lightbulbs! But, how do you know which light bulb color temperature is right for your space? Well, I’m sorry to say that there’s no exact science to it, or hard-and-fast rules to follow (like everything else in design), but there are a few guidelines I can share to help you on your way. Also, keep in mind that you may want to use different color temperature bulbs in different rooms in your home, depending on how you use the space. And, if you’re stuck choosing between two options, bring them both home and try them out to see which one “feels” best in your home. It might take a little trial and error to get it right.
Go with Warm Light (2700-3000K) when…
- You want a dimmer, more relaxing, cozy feeling in your room.
- You want to neutralize a paint color that is looking a little more blue or violet at night than you’d like.
- You don’t mind if the dark greens and blues in your design fade away at night.
Go with Neutral Light (3500-4100K) when…
- You want to keep your paint colors looking the same at night, as they do during the day under natural light.
- You have gray paint on your walls, and you want to keep them looking gray at night (rather than bringing out their warm or cool undertones).
- You have a lot of different colors in your home, and you want each color to shine and come to life at night.
Go with Cool Light/Daylight (5000-6500K) when…
- You use the space for work at night, and need bright task lighting for productivity.
- Your paint color is looking too yellow-orange at night, or you already have a lot of other warm elements in the room (oak floors, wood furniture, warm colored fabrics, and you want to neutralize the room with a higher color temperature bulb.
Light Bulb Color Temperature Considerations by Room
Let’s take a look at some different rooms in your home to see which light color temperatures are best for the function of the space and creating different moods.ย
Home Office
The best light color temperature for your home office isย between 3500 and 5500 Kelvin . Cooler lights can help you feel more alert and focused, so this range is great for productivity, without veering too far into blue light. If your home office has a lot of wood (furniture or decor), you’ll want to stay on the lower end of the temperature range to enhance the warm wood tones. Shop my favorite home office decor to upgrade your work space and make it a place you’ll love spending time in.
Living Room or Family Room
The ideal light bulb temperature for a living room or family room is between 2700โ3500 K. This “soft white” range will give your space a warm and inviting feel, and can mimic the glow of a sunset (hello golden hour!). However, you should also consider the style of your home and the colors of your walls, floors, and furnishings. For example, if you have a lot of blue and gray in your decor, you may want to choose a light bulb at the higher end of the range. See my post on making any room feel cozy for more ways to create a relaxing space.
Dining Room
The best light temperature for a dining room is between 2,700โ3,000 Kelvin, which is a warm white color. This temperature creates a welcoming, romantic ambiance and is similar to classic incandescent light bulbs. You should also consider using a dimmable light in the dining room, which can allow you to adjust the brightness of your light for different uses (eating versus other tasks). Check out my post on dining room decorating tips for more ideas and inspiration.
Bathroom
The right color temperature for your bathroom depends a bit on the task you’re doing. I typically recommend a bright, neutral white light between 3,500โ4,000 Kelvin for bathrooms. This range is bright without being harsh, and is perfect for daily tasks like grooming, showering, and brushing your teeth. For a powder room that guests will frequent, you might want to use a warmer light between 2700-3300 Kelvin for a more relaxed feel. For makeup application, the best option is a bright light with a color temperature between 4000 and 5000 Kelvin. This color temperature is similar to natural daylight, which will help you see accurate colors and reduce shadows.

Bedrooms
The best color temperature for a bedroom is between 2700โ3000K, which is a warm white range that creates a cozy and relaxing vibe. The human eye is sensitive to blue light wavelengths, which can make people feel more alert and suppress melatonin, the hormone that makes people feel sleepy. For bedrooms, we want to create a sense of relaxation and calm, so warmer light bulb temperatures are an ideal choice.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know all about color temperature, and how your lightbulbs could be messing with your interior design, take a fresh look at the lighting in each room of your home. Are there places where a different bulb (with a warmer or cooler color temperature) could make a difference in the feeling, color, or productivity of the room? If so, you’ll know just what to look for the next time you go out shopping for lightbulbs.