Choosing the correct color temperature for your kitchen is very important. Because the kitchen is also a very important living area in our lives, but it is often overlooked.
The choice of color temperature in the kitchen is mainly based on the owner’s subjective consciousness. Because your kitchen is unique, it needs a specific color temperature to accentuate your decor and provide the most task-oriented environment.
The Kelvin Scale (color temperature)
For led light colors, we typically scale between 1,000 and 10,000 on the Kelvin scale. The lower the color temperature number, the redder or orange tones will pass (warmer). The higher the number, the more (cooler) white and blue tones will appear.
For color temperature, most still depend on your own preferences. And a small part is based on some experience.
Warm White and Cool White LED Light Colors Moods
Different color temperatures express different moods.
- Soft White Light Color: Comfortable, Smooth, and Warmth
- Nature White Light Color: Clean, Vibrant, Fresh
- Daylight Light Color: Alertness, Focus, Neat
3000K vs 4000K Color Temperature for a Kitchen
In fact, 3000K and 4000K color temperature are good for the kitchen. 3000K is slightly yellowish and 4000K will start to be cooler with a bluish tinge. Please note the following points.
- Kitchens often require bright light in cool tones. The 4000K is the preferred choice.
- The color of the light is always dominated by task lighting.
- With a modern kitchen design and white cabinets, the 4000K color temperature can work well.
- If it’s a very traditional kitchen design, the 3000K can work well.
Many times it is beneficial to experiment with different color temperatures in a space. A 3500K might be fine when a 3000K or 4000K isn’t quite right.
These color temperatures are optional. You can switch between 2700K vs 3000K, and 3000K vs 4000K.
4000K vs 5000K Color Temperature for a Kitchen
4000K or “cool white” lighting color is usually the normal color temperature for the kitchen. Anything over 4000K is likely to be too harsh and start to turn blue. So if possible, don’t choose a color temperature that is too cool and white.
Some will struggle to decide between 4000K vs 5000K, but this is mostly a matter of personal preference. For a quick and easy answer… go for 4000k.
In short, it doesn’t matter if you choose 4000K or 5000K. If you want to see the real thing, then we must have lighting products with a high color rendering index (CRI) of 90+.
Warm White vs Cool White for the Kitchen
For the kitchen, our recommendation is to be between warm white and cool colors. This could drop down to around 3500K-4000K. Or, go from soft white to cool white.
The first thing we have to consider is task lighting, which also determines the color of the lighting. In the kitchen, we need bright lights color temperature that keeps us alert and alert.
Likewise, we need some soft light to spend time with family and friends. So the kitchen also needs a little soft light to embellish.
Soft White vs Daylight for a Kitchen
If you’re torn between choosing between soft white and daylight, go for soft white. The 3000K soft white light accentuates wood and textures and brings out a variety of paint colors.
On the other hand, some people like very bright task-driven lights like 5000K to 6500K, but it will make white cabinets look blue.
Some Important Factors You Should Know
There are several key components that can help us choose the correct color temperature, such as the Color rendering index, lumens, and lights styles, etc.
The Right Color Temperature with CRI for Kitchen
When choosing between color temperatures, we should also pay special attention to its CRI. Why? CRI is a score with a maximum value of 100 that measures how realistic a color looks under a light source versus sunlight.
With higher CRI values (90+), you can visually see the color difference. Objects will look more realistic when you use high-quality lights and high CRI values.
Choosing the Right Lumens for a Kitchen
For kitchens, we recommend a lumen range of 800 – 3,000. For accent lighting or under cabinet LED lighting, the lumen range might be 100-500.
Lighting arrangement is very important. The greater the distance, the higher the preferred lumen count. Darker cabinets or trim may require a higher lumen count than a bright white kitchen that gets natural light.
Use Color Selectable LED Strip Lights
Lots of light fixtures are great for kitchens, and we’re here to recommend our LED strip lights. More and more people are using led strip lights in the kitchen. There are many color temperatures and CRI for you to choose from, and it supports color temperature customization.
You can also choose dual-color LED strip lights, where you can easily switch from warm white to cool white. According to your personal needs, you can choose the color temperature you want at will.
Light Up Your Dream Kitchen
There are many led light colors to choose from these days. Whether it’s your kitchen, bedroom, or bathroom lighting, you’ll find just the right color temperature.
Some tips on how to choose the great color temperature for your kitchen:
- A reasonable combination of warm white and cool white.
- Know Your Cabinet Colors and Designs
- Look for a CRI (Color Rendering Index) of 90+ for true color output
- Subtle effects of contrasting color temperature (e.g. 2700K vs 3000K 4000K vs 5000K)
- Needs to be chosen carefully for blue tint at daylight color temperature (6000K)
- Avoid orange tones in warm color temperatures (2000K-2700K)
FAQs
In the kitchen, the recommended LED color temperature is around 2,700-4500 K. The warm and cool white is not too blue, which is most suitable for the kitchen.
There is a slight difference between 2700K lights and 3000K lights. However, a 3000K light would be more suitable for a kitchen.
It doesn’t feel too yellow. It would be better to use high-color temperature light with cool white, and 3000K would be much better.
The colors to avoid most are deeply colored lights, such as shades of green, blue, red, and purple. They can darken the space and make it difficult to see the true colors of food and dishes.
Soft white colors are a little better than dark ones, they will make your kitchen appear larger, more open and airier.