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Whether indoors or outdoors, it's important to choose the right color temperature. A warm light will not create the same atmosphere as a cold one. So, while it's easy to choose the right color temperature for the inside of your home, depending on the room and the desired effect, what about the outside? What color temperature should you choose? Here's our advice on how to make the right choice.
Color temperature: what is it?
First of all, it's important to understand what "color temperature" or "light temperature" means. So, before we get down to the nitty-gritty of the subject, let's have a quick reminder. You've probably noticed that not all lighting emits the same color. Just as natural light can have different temperatures depending on the time of day, lighting can also have variable light temperatures. We distinguish between cold light, which is very white, and warm light, which is much more amber.
The light temperature of LED lighting is expressed in Kelvins. The higher the number of Kelvins, the cooler the light. We consider that :
- Warm light is between 2,200 and 3,200 Kelvin;
- cold light corresponds to more than 5,000 Kelvin;
- neutral light oscillates between 3,200 and 5,000 Kelvin.
The choice will depend on your tastes, the look you want to give the room, and its use. For example, you'll prefer a warm temperature to create a cosy atmosphere. For spaces where you'll be working, you'll prefer a cooler temperature. So, to sum up: a warm temperature to create a friendly atmosphere, and a cool light for functionality and visibility. But what about outdoor lighting? Do these rules also apply to the garden?
Garden lighting: cool light VS warm light
Warm white
If you want to create a warm, friendly atmosphere in your outdoors, then you need to choose warm light. This type of light is renowned for being pleasant and soothing. It is particularly recommended for outdoor decorations such as lanterns, sconces and spotlights. "Warm light is also recommended for illuminating terraces or certain types of plants, adds Christophe Coelho. Opt for the Madrid Lumihome Led wall light and bring a warm, reassuring atmosphere to your terrace. You can also define its contours with Lumihome's warm white recessed LED spotlights."
You can also opt for Lumihome's warm white COB LED spotlights to illuminate your flowerbeds or specific areas. You'll appreciate their pleasant, warm rendering, concentrated lighting angle and purity of light.
Cool white
The cool color temperature is recommended for illuminating functional spaces, where excellent visibility is required. It is also ideal for modernizing spaces. Earlier, we spoke of the garden terrace, which is more compatible with warm lighting. However, the terrace has elements that require good visibility. That's why you can also illuminate the garden furniture table with a ceiling light emitting a cool white light, for example. Some areas, such as the garage or garden shed where you carry out DIY and gardening work, also require cool light.
Path lighting will also be more functional if you opt for cooler weather. This type of light is ideal for your driveway. If you have a swimming pool and want to illuminate it, again, cool lighting will bring out the blue of your water better. You can opt for Lumihome's 12V recessed LED spotlights, perfect for producing a soft, non-blinding white light.
Finally, cool white also lends itself to certain types of plant. Cool-white outdoor spotlights are ideal for illuminating plants, flowerbeds and shrubs.
RGB CCT for garden illumination
If you want to create a visual impact in your garden, you can opt for RBG CCT technology. What does it mean? RGB stands for Red Green Blue. These are the three essential colors for over 10 million shades of light. CCT stands for Changing Color Temperature. It refers to an LED module that offers only three shades of white (cool, warm and neutral). RGB CCT combines both technologies in a single bulb, simulating all colors in addition to the three shades of white. So you can have fun lighting your plants in color, for example, changing to suit your mood, or highlighting various outdoor features.
RGB CCT lighting provides a solution for the most hesitant of you, and for those who can't decide between warm, cool or colored lighting. If you have mixed feelings, you can also opt for lighting solutions with warm white to cool white dimming, as with Lumihome's Sun 2,000 Led solar floor lamp.
Discover Lumihome's RGB CCT range and have fun creating your own outdoor atmospheres. "Our RGB CCT outdoor LED spotlight is ideal for highlighting your trees and shrubs, thanks to its adjustable angle and infinite color palette, adds Christophe Coelho. We also offer RGB CCT recessed LED spotlights, ideal for illuminating the contours of your swimming pool. Finally, for an original and elegant way of lighting your facade or plant hedge, discover the RGB CCT LED facade bar with its exclusive design."
Now you know how to choose the right color temperature for your exteriors. The first thing to remember is that warm white is used for spaces you want to make more convivial. Cool white, on the other hand, is preferred for its practicality. It's perfect for making a space functional or modernizing an environment. Feel free to browse our wide range of warm white and cool white LED bulbs to make your choice.
