Does colour temperature matter in outdoor lighting?
Here is our guide to choosing exterior lighting to complement your home…
Between Halloween and Christmas, every evening seems to gather early and pitch black. It’s no wonder so many people start thinking now about how to illuminate their homes and gardens with exterior lighting.
It isn’t just about making your property look incredible—though that’s always important in our book—it’s about ensuring your safety and security as you enter and leave it. Outdoor lighting is a deterrent to potential intruders and helps you confidently navigate your property.
But choosing outdoor lighting can be daunting if you’re a new homeowner or undertaking a complex scheme. First, there are materials to consider. Do you opt for stainless steel, brass, MOSO bamboo or one of the many other options available?
You’ll want to consider the dimensions of your space and, of course, the colour of light emitted by the bulb. These days, LED bulbs cover various colour temperatures – with the warm to cool light measurement denoted in the kelvin rating provided on the pack front. So when you buy an LED bulb, it might say Warm White 2700k, or Cool White 5000k. But which should you go for?
When to use warm light outdoors
Regarding residential outdoor lighting, the primary Kelvin range you’re working with is between 2500k and 4000k. A helpful rule of thumb is to use warmer colour temperatures of around 2500k-2700k on architectural elements and save cooler temperatures between 3000k and 4000k for trees and plants.
Remember, while there are guidelines, the choice is ultimately yours. You can go a little warmer when lighting spaces for regular gatherings. Just be mindful of using cool lighting in these 'warm light' areas, as it can detract from the natural beauty of your home and garden.
When to use cool light outdoors
If you want to showcase the natural beauty of your plants and foliage, neutral white light generally works best. Opt for a higher Kelvin range of about 3000-4000k.
Many plants appear more natural when illuminated by a higher-kelvin light source, and white outdoor lighting, in particular, makes plants appear more natural at night.
Why not use structures like trees or trellises when downlighting your garden from high up? You’ll want to stick to a Kelvin level of 4000k, as this will mimic the colour of natural moonlight (this technique is commonly called “moonlighting”).
Lighting outdoor gathering spaces
The Orbital Outdoor Floor Lamp
All illumination of outdoor entertaining or gathering spaces should be soft, warm lighting, and if you prefer, you can even go warmer than you would with architectural spaces. We are particularly fond of the IP44 Orbital Patio Floor Lamp. It combines industrial and contemporary styles, making it the perfect addition to any modern or classic exterior scheme.
The IP44 Orbital Suspended Pendant Light is handcrafted to order in our Derbyshire workshop from hot-rolled mild steel. It is available in contemporary natural raw steel, finished in a beautiful patina / oxidised finish for a more rugged industrial-chic aesthetic.
The best part? Both The Orbital Outdoor Pendant Light & Orbital Outdoor Floor Lamp features a kelvin level of 2100k – which makes it the perfect light source for your guests to gather around.
Whether you’re lighting trees, patios, or plants, we have a selection of fantastic handcrafted outdoor lights—many of which offer a choice of colour temperature—to help you easily illuminate every element of your garden or outdoor space.
Browse our full range of outdoor lighting here
To speak with us about lighting for your home or commercial project, call +44 (0)330 223 3940. Or email info@thelightyard.com
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