July 8, 2022

What colour temperature is best for outdoor lights?

Outdoor lights are ideal for improving the look, feel and safety of your external living areas. Whether you are wanting to illuminate an outdoor dining area, fountain, walkway, patio or driveway, it will help to know what colour temperature you are looking for.

Why is colour temperature important for outdoor lights?

Colour temperature is important because not only can it effect how colour is rendered, it can also impact when a room can be described as warm or cool. Warm lights are ones with lower colour temperatures whereas cool lights have higher colour temperature. Choosing colour temperature is usually an aesthetic choice that depends on where the light is going to be placed and what for.

Here is a more detailed look:

2000k-3000k: This range of temperature produces a nice and cosy warm white light, and it helps generate a soothing and intimate atmosphere, ideal for indoor living spaces, external spaces and decorative garden lighting.

3100k-4500k: At this temperature the light is a cool white, very bright, and vibrant. This is the perfect temperature for settings where visibility is imperative for stairs, paths, and outdoor workshops.

4600k-6500k: This temperature range produces a crisp and clear light which imitates daylight. This is great for areas with a lot of detail such as water features and security lighting.

Deciding on the best colour temperature for outdoor lighting

Your home’s landscape obviously looks great during the day with the right lighting and colour temperature.  Slightly cooler temperatures are used to accent plants in outdoor areas (usually 3000k-4000k) while downlighting is used where the light illuminates downwards from higher up such as in a tree. The ideal colour temperature to achieve the moonlighting technique is 4000k, which provides a similar lighting colour to natural moonlight.

Using Moonlighting

  • Subject to be lit: effect of Moonlight
  • Planted urns: reveals planting, while uplighting illuminates the urns below.
  • Seating areas: dappled light over alfresco dining area, tree seat or bench creates a romantic atmosphere.
  • Drives: textured lighting adds interest to adjacent planting and features.
  • Lawns and gravelled areas: Emphasises horizontal dimensions in a natural way.
  • Water Features: makes moving water sparkle; casts a slivery sheen onto pools; provides safety.
  • Structures: reveals roof shapes and tiling; provides shadow-enriched lighting through an open structure.
  • Paths and steps: provides natural-looking safety lighting: illuminates features along the way.
  • Statues: illuminates upward-facing subjects that uplighting would leave in a shadow.
  • Illuminating outdoor living and entertainment areas

In outdoor living and entertainment areas, it’s important to have a sense of calming relaxation so you and your guests can love the space. Warm lighting, like 2000k-3000k, is great in these areas because it’s kind to the eyes and still provides the light needed for safety and visibility.

Whichever colour temperature you’re looking for in your outdoor areas, Lighting for Gardens has the selection of lighting products to provide whatever you need. Choose from our extensive catalogue of professional Elipta lighting solutions featuring everything from uplights, wall lights and tree lighting to path, step, deck and plug and play garden lights.