Artificial lighting can change how paint colors appear, causing them to look different in a room than they do on a color chip or in a store setting. In this post, we’ll explore the impact of artificial lighting on paint color.
Soft White 2000K–3000K:
- Produces warm light
- Similar to warm incandescent or LED bulbs
- Creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere
True White 3100K–4500K:
- Emits white light
- Common in cool white LED bulbs
- Provides a bright, energetic ambiance
Daylight 4600K–6500K:
- Mimics daylight with a bluish tint
- Considered the best for reading
- Offers a crisp, cool environment
In the photo below, Even Better Beige is on the walls. A soft white 2700K light bulb casts a dominant peach tone, making the space feel warmer and giving it a cozy vibe.
Even Better Beige is now shown under a 3500K true white light, giving the walls a balanced look—neither too cool nor too warm.
Under a 5000K daylight bulb, Even Better Beige appears less warm. To reduce orange or yellow tones, choose a daylight bulb.
Let’s look at a cooler option: Half Sea Fog. Like Even Better Beige, its color subtly shifts under different lighting.
Under a warm 2700K soft white bulb, Half Sea Fog takes on a yellow cast, softening its blue tones and giving it a slight greenish tint.
A true white 3500K light bulb will make a color like Half Sea Fog appear more muted. It will give your space a softened look and not appear as warm or cool.
Half Sea Fog looks noticeably bluer under a 5000K daylight bulb, which enhances blue, green, and gray tones for a brighter, more modern feel
Here’s a simple graphic to help you determine which type of light bulb is best suited for the room you plan to paint.
Also keep in mind that natural light greatly affects paint colors, with shifts depending on the time of day and the room’s orientation. Stay tuned for a follow-up article on how these factors can impact the way color looks in a room.
We always recommend 8oz paint samples so you can see how a color appears with different light sources.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
