Is daylight or soft white better for the dining room?

lamps with different colour temperatures

You've probably heard this before and read this in many articles, but lighting relies heavily on the purpose of your room. So, for your bedroom to not turn into a science lab or your kitchen to turn into a bat cave, you need to get the correct bulbs that will help that area in your home achieve its intent.

One of the things that you'll encounter while planning the lighting system of your home is the colour of the bulbs. You may think that LED bulbs only have a standard white light, but that's not true at all. There are various colour temperatures and light intensities that you can get from LED bulbs. So, it's essential that you know about this rather than mindlessly purchasing the first bulb that you see!

Soft white vs Daylight: How do they differ?

When you check the packaging or read the technical specification of the light bulbs, you’ll see different terminologies that may confuse you. However, above all, differentiating soft light and daylight may be difficult if you don’t know what they are.

Soft white light bulbs have a colour temperature between 2700K to 3000K. It casts an orange glow and is considered a warm colour. Depending on where it falls on the temperature scale, you may find some have a deeper warmth than others.

 A soft white bulb is suitable for ambient lighting. You can use it in areas where you gather, like the kitchen nook, dining room, living room or in the places where you rest, like the bedroom. This colour can provide a warm cosy shine that produces calmness. However, it’s not the best choice for doing tasks.

When it comes to task-oriented space, a daylight bulb is a perfect choice. It ranges from 5000K to 6500K and casts a glow which resembles daylight (white with bluish tints). Like soft white, the higher the rating, the bluer it gets.
Daylight is excellent in showing the contrast between colours, whereas soft white helps blend them together.

Day Light or Soft Light: Which rooms should you put them in?

In each room, you perform different tasks, and because of that, certain colour temperatures need to reign over the other. If you're having a hard time deciding which to put in specific areas in your home, follow this guide.

Dining Room

In the dining room, it’s okay whether you’re using daylight or soft white. It depends on your priorities. If you want the focus to be on your carefully decorated interior and food presentation, then go for daylight, as it can highlight the details of your space and meals.

On the other hand, if you want to put emphasis on socialising and making your guest and family feel more comfortable and relaxed, then soft white light bulbs are a more suitable option.

dining room with white lights

Living Room

Another area in your home which highlights relaxation is the living room. That is why incorporating fixtures with soft white light is ideal since it offers a warm and cosy vibe that daylight bulbs cannot replicate.

Bathroom

Daylight is the best choice for your bathroom since it lets you see finer details. You can put it above or on each side of a mirror or use it as overhead lighting. Although, if you want to have a spa-like feeling when taking a dip in your tub, then incorporate fixtures that have soft white light.

bathroom with light floors and white lights

Bedroom

Bedrooms are associated with rest. So, if you want to maximise the rest that you’ll get in that space, then you need to ensure that you have the right ambience. Soft white light is excellent in creating the perfect cosy atmosphere that will make you feel at ease.

If you happen to have a desk in your bedroom where you study or work, then add a daylight desk lamp to help you focus on your tasks.

Kitchen

Since the kitchen is one of the busiest places in your home, it's crucial that you use daylight. This way, you'll be able to see clearly when you prepare your meals and avoid any unwanted accidents. However, if your kitchen includes your dining area, then you may want to section that spot and use soft white light for a warmer feel. Nonetheless, daylight is still the best choice as it will help you perceive crisp details.

kitchen with orange cabinets

Home Office

When it comes to this part of your home, you'll want to create the opposite atmosphere of your bedroom. How can you work if you're feeling drowsy every time you step into the space? So, to help you concentrate and work efficiently, a lighting fixture with a daylight bulb is a must! This colour temperature will not only improve your productiveness, but it can also uplift your mood as it imitates natural light.

There you have it! Now that you know the difference between daylight and soft white light, it's time to apply what you've learned. If you don't know where to get high-quality LED fittings, visit our website, LED Supplier. We have a vast collection of kitchen, bathroom, commercial, and other types of lighting solutions!

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