What the numbers mean
Color temperature is measured in kelvin. Around 2700K gives a warm, amber glow; 4000K is neutral; 5000K and above looks bright and cool, closer to daylight.
Warm for living rooms and bedrooms
For evenings, 2700K to 3000K is the usual choice. It suits table lamps, bedside lights and anything you use to wind down.
Neutral for desks and kitchens
Task areas benefit from 3500K to 4000K, which renders colors accurately and keeps text crisp without feeling clinical.
Adjustable lamps cover both
If a lamp does double duty, choose one with adjustable color temperature so you can switch between focused and relaxed light.
