2700K vs 3000K Lights: What’s The Difference?

If you are a homeowner, you would only want the best for your home. You make decisions on its design which are all very important. One of the most important choices you need to make is your home lighting.

For many homeowners, lighting is something that is not that important. As long as the home is illuminated properly, then it will suffice. But, if you use incorrect lighting in parts of your home, the mood of your space will be greatly affected. The lighting in each room creates a mood which should suit the room’s function.

And this is the reason why choosing the best color temperature for specific applications is very important.

2700K or 3000K color temperature?

We measure color temperature in Kelvins (K). This measures the brightness of the bulb. It ranges from 1000 to 10,000K. The higher the Kelvin rating, the brighter the light emitted by the bulb.

For our purposes, we are interested in finding out about the 2700K and the 3000K color temperatures. Both are mostly considered as having a warm white color. However, you will find visible differences in color between the two color temperatures. And these differences will determine which one is best for the different rooms of your home.

2700K

Consider a traditional incandescent bulb. It has a filament inside that emits light when it gets too hot. When it gets to its full brightness, it achieves a temperature of around 2700 degrees Kelvin, or 2700K.

So, if your bulb has a color temperature rating of 2700K, then the color of its light will be the same as the color of an incandescent light bulb. If you like this color, then you should use the 2700K color temperature bulb.

But some dislike the color of light emitted by an incandescent bulb. And many areas in your home would be better lighted with a high color temperature. Most of the people who dislike 2700K bulbs is because of its yellow or orange appearance. This manifestation makes things covered in yellow hue.

3000K

Compared to a 2700K light, a 3000K light is slightly purer. Its color is a neutral white. There is less yellow or orange shade and it appears crisper. If you are familiar with halogen bulbs, the light color they emit is 3000K.

A 3000K bulb is your best option if you don’t like the color of an incandescent bulb or if you want to have a little more sharpness in color. 3000K lighting has a white color that is not too cold, harsh, or too blue. It has a warm white color temperature.

What is the difference between 2700K and 3000K?

Although we can see differences between 2700K and 3000K light bulbs, these differences are not extreme. If you look at these two light bulbs when placed beside each other, then the difference is easy to see. But if they are apart, like say, one is in a different room from the other, you will not easily realize the difference. If your 2700K and 3000K light sources are not beside each other, they can easily blend well in the same space.

So, if you use 2700K for your ambient lighting in the kitchen, you can still use your 3000K light in the same area for lights under the cabinets or as a countertop light. It will still give you a unified look.

You will note that the difference between the two is only 300 degrees. It can be difficult to explain the difference qualitatively. Some people can perceive this difference but others barely. The difference varies for different people. And if you are choosing between these two, the best way to really know the best lighting is to see the lights in person.

Another area of concern when it comes to their difference is the amount of blue light each type has. People today are very much concerned about the presence of blue light because of the effect it has on one’s health. It is said that blue light suppresses the production of melatonin, which is a hormone responsible for our sleep and relaxation. If you are exposed to blue light for a significant amount of time, it can affect the quality of your sleep.

The amount of blue light in 3000K is generally higher than that in 2700K bulbs. Thus, it will more likely to keep you awake and alert. But the difference is of minor significance; it is very slight.

Which color temperature suits the rooms in your home?

If you want to create a cozy atmosphere in your living rooms and bedrooms, then the ideal lighting fixtures to put are warm light fixtures. Both 2700K and 3000K are warm white lights. You can choose either to complement wood furniture and earthy tones.

There is a very slight difference between 2700K and 3000K, but 3000K is ideal for active areas like the kitchen, bathroom, hallways, laundry, home office, living room, etc. In these areas, there are more visual tasks. The primary objective is not relaxation and warmth. But in areas like the bedroom and dining room, where you feel more relaxed, use 2700K lights.

You can have a mix of lighting in your living room. You can put overhead lighting for general illumination, lamps for extra lighting, or reading, spotlights to showcase artwork, or to help reduce glare.

For inside lampshades and chandeliers, it is best to put 2700K lights. For indirect lighting and spotlight, a 3000k bulb is preferred.

Warm white bulbs and lights of 2700K is preferred for the kitchen light. The appearance of your food whether cooked or raw will be particularly appetizing. But, since kitchens are used as workspaces and most homeowners want to show it off to their guests, it would also be ideal to use 3000K lights. The ambiance this creates will help balance out lights that are coming in from the windows.

The dining room is best lighted with warm lights. You can use either 2700K or 3000K lights for this. Perfect lighting is essential in the dining rooms for it helps create an enjoyable atmosphere when you have guests eating with you. If you want your dining rooms to have a luminous and cozy glow, go for a 3000K light.

In the bedroom, use warm white 2700K lights. You will have a very relaxing environment because this light emits a warm, soothing glow. The cozy aspect of your bedroom will be highlighted. You will feel very comfortable in bed and is also good for reading.

You can also use either warm white 2700K and 3000K lights in the bathroom. If your bathroom finish is of beige, matte, or natural stone, then a 2700K light is ideal. But if the bathroom finish is dark, grey, or glossy, using a 3000K light is better.

It is important to be familiar with the way different color temperatures look like. This will help you choose the colors you prefer for your bathroom. These are very personal choices. 2700K and 3000K lights are preferred by most homeowners because of their familiarity with these types of lights and because these lights are very comfortable. Seeing these lights in person will help you know what is best for your home.

When you have familiarized yourself with color temperature, you also need to consider how you and others will be using this bathroom. You can use a 2700K light for your powder room for guests who need to check their makeup or wash their hands. For the master’s bathroom, you can use a 3000K light so that you can have good light when you are putting on makeup.

Outdoor lighting should also have a very warm color temperature. It is ideal to use 2700K but you can also use 3000K. 2700K is very soothing and it gives you a warm, comforting glow like that of a campfire. Thus, it is great for having an outdoor environment that is relaxing and comfortable.

If you are going to use both 2700K and 3000K outdoors, use the warmer color temperature, 2700K, on architectural structures. If you are going to light plants in your landscape, then a slightly cooler color temperature should be used. Thus, 3000K light is ideal for this.

Many landscape professionals prefer 3000K lights because it is cooler than 2700K. Greens and blues in the vegetation are highlighted.

What is color rendering?

To measure how perfectly an artificial light displays colors, we use the color rendering index or CRI. If the CRI is close to 100, then it renders colors in the environment more accurately.

If you feel that a 2700K bulb is too yellow, it may not be due to its color temperature but to its CRI value. If the CRI value is low, whatever the color temperature is, the objects will appear dull and washed out. So, if you are discouraged to buy 2700K bulbs, be sure to check first if the issue is the CRI value and not the color temperature.

Or, if you want to improve color accuracy through 3000K light, check what the CRI value is. Make sure that it has a high CRI value. If the CRI value of a 3000K light source is low, although you may not have the yellow or orange hue, the objects that it illuminates may not show their true colors.

Whether you will use 2700K or 3000K in your home, the choice is yours. Color temperature is a personal choice. It solely depends on what environment you want to create.