When it comes to designing a space for its intended function, we often overlook the importance of light. In fact, the light that illuminates a room has a huge impact on its utility.  A perfectly styled space will not be optimized for its intended purpose if the color of the light in the room sets the wrong mood or if it isn’t conducive to the purpose of the space.

The secret to optimizing your room’s lighting is color temperature, which is a way of measuring a bulb’s brightness and color. “Cooler” color temperature lighting is brighter, and best used in spaces intended for productivity. “Warmer” color temperatures are dimmer, more yellow, and intended for social and relaxing spaces.

Now more than ever, many rooms in the home double as flexible-use spaces. While it used to be difficult to optimize lighting in spaces with multiple functions, Viro smart LED technology makes it possible to set your Viro light to adjust its color temperature according to your schedule. This allows you to create the ideal lighting environment to support the various activities that take place in your space throughout the day.

What is color temperature?

Color temperature is a spectrum used to measure the brightness and hue of light. Rather than describing the actual heat of a light source, color temperature describes the appearance of the light it emits. Color temperature is measured in degrees of Kelvin (K) on a spectrum from 1,000K  to 10,000K. Lower color temperatures indicate yellower, “warmer” light, while higher color temperature light is bluer and “cooler”. In fact, as this metric makes clear, light sources that are warmer in appearance produce less heat, while cooler light sources produce more.

Finding the right color temperature for your space

The most important factor to consider when determining the ideal color temperature for your lighting is how your space will function. Cool, bright light is optimal for spaces designed for focused tasks, such as kitchens, offices, and bathrooms. Meanwhile, warmer and lower light is ideal for spaces intended for leisure, relaxation, and socializing.

The general guidelines for lighting your room are as follows:

2,700K – 3,000K – ”warm” lighting – for comfortable, social, and relaxing spaces

3,000K – 3,500K – flexible lighting – for mixed-use spaces

3,500K – 4,000K – ”cool” lighting – for focused, productive, task-oriented spaces

4,000K+ – ”extra-bright” lighting – for utility spaces such as garages

Warm lighting (2700K – 3000K) for comfortable, social, and relaxing spaces

Lighting with a warmer color temperature in the range of 2,700K-3,300K has an amber cast. This lighting provides a cozy, leisurely atmosphere similar to traditional incandescent lighting. Intimate and flattering, warm light is softer on the eyes, making it ideal for rooms that are used at night, as it helps the body begin to rest for sleep.

Flexible lighting (3000K – 3500K) For multi-purpose spaces used throughout the day

For rooms that serve a variety of uses, lighting in the range of 3,000 – 3,300K provides the illumination needed for focused tasks while remaining warm enough in hue to maintain a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Since many of us are now working from home, areas like the living room and kitchen now double as workspaces, requiring lighting that adapts to varied functions.

If you want to set one fixed light color in your flexible-use spaces, consider this setting.

However, if you’re looking for even more control over the lighting in your flexible-use space, Viro’s smart technology allows you to set your Viro lights to adjust their color temperature throughout the day to provide task-oriented lighting during work hours and relaxation-oriented lighting when you’re off-duty.

Cool lighting (3,500K – 4,000K) for focused, productive, task-oriented spaces

Bright, clean, and slightly bluish in hue, “cool” lighting has a color temperature range of 3,500K–4,000K. This color temperature is suited for spaces meant primarily for detail-oriented tasks and sustained periods of productivity. In addition to improving visibility in the room, bright light has been proven to increase energy and focus, making it ideal for workspaces.  It is best used in offices or task-oriented areas such as kitchen counters or work tables.

Extra-bright lighting (4,000K+) for garages and utility spaces

Bulbs set in the range of 4,000K and up are ideal for spaces that require excellent visibility, such as garages and storage spaces. This setting is too bright for most living spaces in the home but is suited for locations that are otherwise extremely dark. It’s also ideal for security lighting around the exterior of the home.

Optimize your lighting with Viro smart LED technology

Thanks to smart LED technology, it is now easier than ever to adjust your lighting throughout the day. Viro smart lights can be scheduled to adjust their color temperature to accommodate the varied functions of your room and changes in the amount of natural light the room receives from morning to night. Users can also create a library of lighting “scenes” or custom settings that you can quickly select to achieve a particular atmosphere.

With complete control of your lighting, Viro lights allow you to bring out the very best in your space.