What to choose - warm white light or cold

Human vision is subjected to heavy loads due to the abundance of gadgets, frequent use of computers and other adverse factors. It is better to organize the right lighting at home so that it not only meets the standards, but also relieves eye strain and creates optimal conditions for working at a PC, watching TV, etc.

Visual comparison of different lighting options.

Effect of light temperature on vision

There are several important points that should be disassembled in order to understand what kind of light and in what conditions is best suited. First of all, you need to understand what the temperature of light is, how it is measured and what types it can be:

1. This is a physical concept that is measured in Kelvin (K). For simplicity and convenience, the spectrum is divided into several segments, each with its own color temperature range.
2. 2500-3000K - warm yellow lighting that creates a cozy atmosphere for relaxation.
3. 3000-4000K is a warm white light that provides a comfortable background for human vision and is used in most living rooms.
4. 4000-5000K - neutral white light. Suitable for both residential and office space. More suitable for work (for example, cooking or writing documents), but can also be used for everyday use.
5. 5000-6500 - cold white light, very bright, so it is almost never used in rooms. Allows you to highlight each element of the situation, gives it clarity.

Examples of lamps with temperatures from 1000 to 10,000 K.

Lamp types

The type of light depends on the type of lamps used. In addition, it also affects the creation of a comfortable environment, since in some cases vision gets tired much less:

1. Incandescent lamps have a warm white light, so they are used in any room. Despite the fact that their color temperature is comfortable, it is not very convenient to use such light, because because of the flicker, the eyesight gets tired and if you work or read for a long time, problems will begin over time.
2. Halogen - can have both warm and neutral or cold radiation spectrum. They are an order of magnitude better than the first type, but they also use a filament, which means there is flickering of light and a gradual deterioration in quality due to the fact that the tungsten filament becomes thinner.
3. Fluorescent lamps give even warm, neutral or cold light. A good solution that consumes much less electricity, but there are also nuances. In the process, there is a flicker imperceptible to the eye, due to which fatigue accumulates.
4. LED the most preferred options, they can be of any color temperature, which allows you to choose the right solution for the room. The lamps provide a uniform background without flicker, so your eyesight is much less tired. They are completely safe and do not heat up during operation.

LED lamps allow you to create the most comfortable environment for human vision.

Colorful temperature indicated on LED lamps, which greatly simplifies the purchase in the store of the desired type.

Which light is better for reading and computer

In this case, you need to remember that the illumination of the reading area should be about 500 Lumens. This indicator should be taken into account when choosing a light bulb. The following must be taken into account:

1. The light should not hit the reader's eyes. If a luminaire with a ceiling is used, it is necessary that the luminous flux is directed where it is needed, it is not allowed for the lamp to protrude beyond its limits. A diffusing frosted glass option can be used to create a comfortable reading environment.
2. When using table lamps or sconces, it is better to place them at a distance of 30-60 cm, depending on the type of equipment and its power. If a table is used, then it is best to place a light source above it at a height of 25-30 cm.
3. Remember that for writing you need to consider which hand the person writes with. If right, then the light should go to the left, if left, then vice versa.
4. Light should not hit a person in the face. If a diffuser with a directional flow is used, the light should enter the chest area, not higher.
5. If the room is dimly lit, then for study or work it is better to use options with a natural white tint.They allow you to maintain concentration for a long time and significantly reduce eye fatigue during prolonged reading.
6. In a well-lit room for work, another light is better - cold white. It will be perceived as neutral. At the same time, the working area will be allocated, productivity will increase and fatigue will decrease.
7. If you want to create a cozy nook for reading before bed or just for relaxing with a book, you should use warm white light of such intensity that you do not have to strain your eyes. You should not use cold tones, as they block the production of the sleep hormone melatonin and do not allow you to relax.

The sconce at the head of the bed is the perfect solution for reading in the bedroom.

Many people think that it is possible to work at a computer without light. But this is a mistake, because due to the contrast of the bright screen with the darkness around, vision strains much more and fatigue accumulates faster. To create a comfortable environment, you need to remember the following:

1. Can't direct the light desktop or other lamp to the monitor. Reflected from the surface, it hits the eyes, which eventually leads to visual impairment.
2. Do not use very muted or very bright options. Lighting should be moderate, in the equivalent of an incandescent lamp, a 40-60 watt option is suitable.
3. Ideal solution - background lighting, which diffuses the light flux and creates a comfortable atmosphere at the desktop. LED bulbs are the best.

A table with a computer or laptop should be lit with high quality and evenly.

Do not forget about the orientation of the lamp depending on the leading hand, for right-handers - to the left, for left-handers - to the right.

What kind of lighting to choose

Recommendations vary for different rooms. It all depends on the characteristics of the room, space zoning and other factors. But there are a few recommendations to make it easier to choose the type of light.

For kitchen

In this case, you can use different solutions to create a comfortable environment:

1. The warm light of a lamp located in the middle is suitable for small kitchens that are not difficult to light with one chandelier. It is better to choose options with evenly diffusing shades made of frosted glass or plastic.
2. For those who cook a lot and often, it makes sense to equip additional illumination of the work area. It is better for her to use natural white light to highlight this part of the room and ensure perfect visibility.
3. If additional lamps are placed for the dining area, better choose warm white lamps. Under it, all dishes look more appetizing, and a cozy atmosphere is created to calmly gather with the family.

Different lighting options with the same light temperature is a classic solution.

To illuminate the working area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe kitchen, it is most convenient to use an LED strip fixed along the lower edge of the wall cabinets. Lighting quality, and electricity consumption is small.

For the hall

The living room is a place of rest and reception of guests, so you need to approach its lighting responsibly and do everything right, without missing a single important moment:

1. To create a relaxing and relaxed atmosphere, it is worth using warm white light. The option with a large chandelier, in which several lamps are located, is well suited, the number and power depend on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room.
2. You can use additional elements - soft lighting of the stretch ceiling or LED strip hidden under the protruding plinth. And when allocating separate areas for reading, receiving guests, needlework, etc. it is worth using spotlights, sconces or floor lamps. It all depends on the features of the interior.
3. It is best to use options with the ability to select multiple lighting modes. This will allow you to adapt the light to specific conditions and focus on a separate part of the room, if necessary.

In modern LED chandeliers, you can adjust not only the number of burning bulbs, but also the color temperature.

The living room creates an atmosphere conducive to relaxation.

For the bedroom

This room is designed for rest and relaxation, so its lighting should be given special attention. There is nothing complicated if you remember a few simple recommendations:

1. Choose warm lighting that will create a calm atmosphere. It is desirable with the ability to dim the light even more, so the chandelier should have at least 2 modes.
2. For reading in bed, it is better to install a sconce or a bedside floor lamp. It is important that the ceiling located no higherthan 60 cm and evenly diffused the light, illuminating only half of the bed, so as not to interfere with the sleep of the second person.
3. If there is a mirror in the bedroom, then you should use natural white light. It conveys all shades as accurately as possible, which is important when applying makeup and choosing an outfit. For convenience, lighting can also be done in the closet.
4. If there is a work desk in the bedroom, it is better to purchase a lamp to illuminate it, so that you can use it if necessary.

In the bedroom, you can abandon the traditional chandelier and put a few built-in lights or use a translucent stretch ceiling with lighting underneath.

In the bedroom, the light should be dimmed, and for reading it is better to put a lamp on the nightstand or hang a wall lamp.

For children's room

In this room, it is especially important to provide high-quality lighting, the child's vision depends on it. You also need to take into account the age of the children, this affects the zoning of the room:

1. Natural white light is suitable for play and work areas. Here it is easiest to use additional lighting. It is best to choose LED bulbs that do not flicker and have the least effect on vision.
2. The general light should be made warm white so that the room is cozy and calm, and the colors of furniture and other objects are transmitted naturally. Use chandeliers or lamps with diffusing shades to prevent direct light from entering the eyes.
3. You can install a soft ceiling light and turn it on at night as a night light. This is a great solution that consumes little electricity and can be adjusted in both brightness and color.

By the way! For a children's desktop, choose safe lamps with LEDs that can be adjusted as you like.

In the nursery, you need to create an ideal environment so that the child’s eyesight does not strain.

Is it possible to combine different color temperatures in the same room

If you use simple tips, you can correctly combine the two types of light in the room and at the same time create a comfortable environment that will look attractive. We must remember:

1. Combine only neighboring tones.That is, there will always be a neutral or natural white light. The second can be both a warm and a cold shade, but in no case should they be combined with each other. Knowing this rule, you can start planning lighting.
2. If the main option in the room is warm white lighting, then you can use a natural shade to focus on individual elements. For example, using spotlights to highlight paintings on the wall, figurines, collection elements, an unusual texture of the wall, etc. With this technique, you can direct your attention to where you need it.
3. Lamps with different color temperatures will help to distinguish between functional areas in one room. Or divide the space in a studio apartment or a living room combined with a kitchen. Here it is very important to position the lamp so that the light from them does not intersect with neighboring ones, which have a different shade.
4. You can create different lighting schemes. For example, if the living room is used as a study, then a natural shade will do, and when it serves as a place for relaxation and receiving guests, then warm light will be optimal. It is important that each circuit is turned on independently.

In order not to make a circuit for two modes, it is easier to install a chandelier with adjustable light temperature. Then it can be done with the remote control in a few seconds.

Contrasting lighting on the wall attracts attention and looks stylish.

How color temperature affects well-being

More than 80% of information a person learns through vision. Not only perception, but also biorhythms and hormone production depend on illumination. In order not to make a mistake when choosing lighting, you need to remember simple recommendations:

1. In the workspace, it is better to use cool or neutral white light. It sets you up for productive work and does not let you relax. The main thing is to choose a shade that will be comfortable for the eyes.
2. For needlework and other creativity, a natural shade is suitable, as it conveys colors as accurately as possible and allows you to see everything to the smallest detail. It also reduces eye fatigue.
3. In living rooms and kitchens, it is better to use warm white light, as it brings peace and promotes comfortable rest and a healthy appetite.
4. For the bedroom, choose warm, muted lighting options. This improves the production of melatonin and normalizes sleep.

Too bright light causes neuroses and headaches due to the fact that the visual muscles are overstrained.

Warm white light is the most versatile type of lighting that suits most spaces and creates a comfortable environment for people. With it, you can emphasize the beauty of the interior, because the colors look rich and natural.