The effect of light color on people

The light color can be described by a proverb: “White is not always white!”. So it depends on where the light is used, what it is needed for or what you want to achieve with it. Comfortably warm, yellowish/orange light is required in a living room. In contrast, the best color rendering is expected in laboratories and daylight is the best. In the office, on the other hand, it is important that a mixture of well-being and increased attention is achieved.

The influence of the sun on man

Everyone knows the phenomenon of spring awakening, you enjoy the first rays of sunshine, go out into nature and really look forward to the sunshine that affects you all day long. The background is the production of vitamin D3 and serotonin, which is the human “happiness hormone” and, in contrast to the sleep hormone melatonin, does not make you tired, but rather awakens joy and happiness in us. After winter, people become fresher, livelier and more excited in spring. It is precisely this effect that one tries to achieve with the right color of lighting, one wants to let people relax when it is necessary and stimulate them to perform when it is needed.

What is the light color?

The light color characterizes the white tone of a light source. It describes the spectral radiation distribution in the area where light is visible. The light color is composed of the color temperature and the color rendering.

Light color = color temperature + color rendering

color temperature

The color temperature characterizes the light color of the light source. It describes the color of the light source based on a standardized black body. With fluorescent lamps, the color temperature is made possible by the coating on the inner wall. It ranges from approx. 2700 Kelvin to approx. 8000 Kelvin. The color temperature therefore determines the amount of white in the light for humans; the higher the color temperature, the “whiter” the light.

Colour reproduction

Color rendering is the ability to represent colors. If an item/object is illuminated with different light sources, which have different color renditions, the colors on the object will inevitably be perceived differently. The object is staged differently and you get different impressions of the object. This is practiced today in the fashion industry, where different lighting scenarios are possible in changing rooms.

The light color design is a very good way of changing something in a room without having to do a lot of conversion work. A small amount of capital is enough to have a big impact. In addition to the illuminance, the color design of the lighting is a very decisive factor in determining whether you feel comfortable and concentrated in a room or whether you feel uncomfortable.

2700 Kelvin – the home light for comfort!

With the “warmest” fluorescent lamps, wood has a particularly homely effect. This light color is mainly used in living rooms, built-in furniture or for indirect lighting in living areas.

  • homely
  • comfortable
  • high proportion of incandescent lamps
  • living area
  • waiting rooms
  • Sales rooms with a feel-good atmosphere

3000 Kelvin warm white – warm tone in a light version

This light color can be compared very closely with the halogen lamp. The color tone is still very much comparable to that of the incandescent lamp, but it is perceived as being lighter than the light color of 2700 K. This light color is perceived as unobtrusive but with a high feel-good factor.

  • homely
  • bright
  • unobtrusive
  • Approximate halogen light
  • salesrooms
  • exhibition and exhibition halls
  • lecture halls
  • kindergartens
  • Offices (limited)

3500 Kelvin – The middle ground in business

The new light color with 3500 Kelvin was introduced in order to mix the mixture of office atmosphere and good attention with the cozy warmth of the warm light tones. The light color creates a mixture of practicality and a good mood in a homely working atmosphere.

  • thorough
  • good mood
  • residential/commercial[/unordered_list]
  • commercial waiting and recreation rooms
  • in the USA often office light color

4000 Kelvin – The classic work light

The mix makes it. This is exactly what characterizes the light color with 4000 K – it is in the middle of daylight and incandescent light, where everyone feels at home. So you are stimulated by the daylight and have not lost the feel-good atmosphere yet. Many people in Central Europe know this light from the office.

  • bright
  • likeable
  • inviting
  • not intrusive
  • offices
  • exhibition halls
  • hallways
  • medical practices
  • printers
  • Canteens

5400 Kelvin – daylight excitation

Would you like a little more daylight? The new 5400 K light color can be used where the blue component is desired for more daylight and better presentation through neutral daylight is required. The proportion of daylight is higher than classic cool white and it is the first color in the daylight spectrum.

  • daylight stimulating
  • still classic white light components
  • clear color rendering
  • lecture halls
  • classrooms
  • Photo watches jewelry
  • flower shop
  • Glasshouse
  • hospital room

6500 Kelvin – Economic daylight

The 6500 K light color is particularly suitable for rooms in which one likes to have a character similar to daylight and where cost-effectiveness is also important. Color rendering in the higher light colors is very often excellent, since good color rendering is always required for daylight properties.

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