LED Colour Temperature: Choose the Right Glow for Every Room
A quick way to pick the best LED colour temperature — from ultra-warm ambience to clean, task-ready white.
Colour temperature (measured in Kelvin) shapes the mood of a space more than any other setting. Use this simple guide to match the glow to each room — and when you need flexibility, pair your bulbs with LED dimmer switches for multi-use lighting.
LED colour temperature chart: ultra-warm 2000K to natural white 4000K.
What the Kelvin numbers mean
- 2000K Ultra Warm — candle-like; cosy ambience for patios, dining, and evening wind-down.
- 2200K Extra Warm — golden, relaxing; lounges and bedrooms.
- 2700K Warm White — balanced warmth; suits most living areas all day.
- 3000K Soft White — neutral-warm; kitchens and bathrooms where you still want comfort.
- 4000K Natural White — crisp and clear; worktops, studies, laundries, garages.
Room-by-room picks (quick start)
- Living & bedrooms: 2200–2700K for a relaxed feel.
- Kitchens: 3000K over benches; 2700K elsewhere for warmth.
- Bathrooms: 3000–4000K for clarity around mirrors.
- Home office: 4000K to keep text and colours crisp.
- Outdoors: 2000–2200K for a welcoming, glare-soft glow.
Want flexibility?
Use dimmable bulbs with LED-compatible dimmers to soften light at night and brighten for tasks during the day — handy in open-plan rooms that do double duty.
Pro tip
If you’re unsure, start at 2700K (warm white). It plays nicely with timber tones and most paint colours, then adjust up/down with dimming to suit the moment.