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Question about lighting colour temperature for kitchen/diner

9 years ago

I'm about to knock through a kitchen and dining room and am trying to decide on the lighting. After a ridiculous amount of research I've finally found recessed ceiling LEDs that meet the requirements - link below - but I can't decide on a colour temperature, given the two rooms have different needs. I'm not keen on the very yellow (2700k) lighting we have currently in the kitchen and would favour something more neutral (4000k), but the warmer light works in the dining room. I'm wondering if having 3000k in the dining room and 4000k in the kitchen will look weird once they're knocked together. The RSJ will break up the ceiling between them a bit, but don't know if that will be enough. Anyone done something like this?

This is the floor plan

http://www.integral-led.com/products/downlights/fire-rated-downlight-12w-75w-3000k-850lm-55-deg-beam-angle-70mm-cut-out-dimmable

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Comments (5)

ionized_gw
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
For me, color rendering is more important than temperature. I do, however, prefer 5000K for overhead (anywhere) and something lower for lamps. There are no rules, just individual preferences. Use what ever floats your boat.
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hmanback
Original Author
9 years ago
I have no clue what 'color rendering' is!
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David
9 years ago
CRI (Color Rendition Index) indicates how accurate the colors of objects appear (relative to the actual colors) when lit by a light source
ionized_gw
9 years ago
The accuracy of color rendering may have functional effects. If you are trying to pair up socks with poor color rendering, compared to excellent, you might have trouble telling black from navy blue. Take a look at some web sites with discussions. They often have some telling pictures.

Color rendering quality is difficult to express and there is criticism of the imperfect methods used to express it. It is a very hot topic in lighting. I often wonder if lamps are designed to do well on the most accepted scale(es) when they might be better in some cases if they were not.
btnik
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
We just went through a similar exercise, retrofitting the recessed fixtures in our family room and breakfast area to match the new LED recessed lights in the adjoining gut-remodeled kitchen. 4000k and above just looked too bright and clinical. (Wife walked in and said, "The table looks ready for an autopsy. I'm not eating there!")

You'll find noticeable differences even among lights all rated with the same Kelvin number. We settled on 3000-3500 for everything, even when retrofitting our hallways. (We thought softer, yellower light would be fine there, but no. Once the world brightens up, there's no turning back.) BTW, I think the "whiteness" of LED lights "settles down" a bit as they age. At least that is my impression from our kitchen remodel.
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