When you think of LED’s you perhaps think of a bright white harsh light but it no longer has to be this way. LED lights have evolved and now come in a variety of colours. This article will explain how to choose the correct LED lights for each room of your house. By using LED lights correctly you will be well on your way to creating a brighter future for your home as well as for the planet.
Light Bulbs Affect our Moods!
Just like the sun, light bulbs give off light waves which can have an affect on our moods and in turn our behaviours. The original LED lights contained blue light waves which act to stimulate our brain to produce serotonin. This can make us feel awake and energised and may explain why in certain situations we felt the LED lights to be harsh. Light waves that contain no blue light waves can stimulate the release of melatonin which makes us feel calm and relaxed.
Types of LED’s Available
LED lights can be categorised depending on their light colour which is shown by their temperature on the Kelvin Scale:
- Yellow light: 2700-3000K
- White: 3500-4100K
- Blue: 5000-6500K
At one end of the scale, you have lower Kelvin numbers and a soft yellow light, this is the light that produces melatonin. At the opposite end of the scale, with higher Kelvin numbers, the bluer, serotonin producing, light can be found.
Which LED for Which Room?
Now we have a greater understanding of the different types of LED lights available we can look into which lights are most suited to which rooms in your house so you can create the perfect atmosphere:
Bedrooms
We all want a good night’s sleep, and we now know that to achieve this we need to increase our melatonin levels which will make us feel relaxed and help us to drift into a deep slumber. How do we do this? By emitting blue light from the bedroom and choosing a light that has a low, warming temperature.
Living Room
The living room is often a dynamic space and can be used in a variety of ways. Usually, it is used for relaxing so it is best to remove any blue light and to use softer warmer lights. It may also be a good idea to include table lamps to reduce glare on the TV.
Dining Room
The dining room is the perfect place for a middle of the range, white light. This will create a balanced atmosphere between being restful and being alert, all important for times when you are enjoying a meal with family or friends.
Kitchen
Finally, the bright blue light bulbs have a place! We often start our days in the Kitchen, so a bright light can help to awaken us. A kitchen is usually the busy hub of the house, and this is where we chop, cut and cook up a storm and for this, we need a bright light. To create more atmosphere in the kitchen for the evenings, or at times you feel like relaxing you can use a softer light, placed under the cupboards or worksurfaces.
Bathroom
Again, the blue light comes in handy here. We all want a bright start to our day and the blue light can mimic daylight and work to wake us up before leaving the house. The bright light will also allow us to see ourselves in the mirror when preparing for the busy day ahead. The option of an additional softer light may also be nice for times you want to sit back and relax in the bath.
Home Office
Yes, you guessed it, the blue light wins again. Blue lights mimic daylight and are great for keeping us awake while trying to work in the comfort of our own homes.
After reading this article you can see that every type of LED light has its time and place, and just how important it is to match your lighting to your mood. If you are looking to get new LED lights installed or even upgrade your existing LED system, then get in contact with Northern Lights Lighting & Electrical Today. With over 20 years of experience, at Northern Lights Lighting & Electrical, we have all the expertise and knowledge to provide superior quality and competitively priced electrical solutions for your business. Call us on 0800 177 275 or enquire online today for your free, zero obligation quote.
