Q: We are replacing our 6-inch can light bulbs in our condo with Cree CR6 LED bulbs. We currently have 2700K light bulbs throughout and are struggling with how to handle our kitchen lighting. The kitchen has a white backsplash and countertop. The 2700K makes it look yellow. Is it okay to have 3500K or 4000K in the kitchen and 2700K in the living room and dining room? All three rooms are connected. My wife wants to know if we should use 3500K in the kitchen and then use 3000K in the rest of the house.
A: I think that your wife is on to something. What about using 3000K throughout the house? 3000K will make your countertops look whiter than under the 2700K and the light isn't so cool that it is unflattering to skin tones. I think it is good idea to take some of these color temperatures home to see what they look like in your countertops as well as on your skin tones. You may find that you are comfortable with 3500K in the kitchen and 3000K in the rest the house. It is also possible that the countertops in your home, compared to the rest the lighting, might look like someone who's over-whitened their teeth.
