During Covid 19 our homes were transformed into more multi-functional spaces. Many started working from home for the first time and many still do. In the past, task lighting was desk lamps, table lamps, under-cabinet lighting and pendants. But these simple lighting products have undergone significant transformations to meet the evolving needs of homes and workspaces.

With increased remote work, the demand for better lighting is most important. Kitchen counters and dining room tables have become workstations. Other rooms have become zoom headquarters. It has resulted in the need for better lighting, but not necessarily more lighting. Considering the Kelvin (color temperature) and lumen (brightness) output are the answers to better lighting.

The kelvin temperature of LED’s plays a huge roll. While some like the 2700K which is a warm color and closest to the old incandescent bulbs, more and more desire the higher kelvin temperatures of 3000K and up. Many fixtures are now available to accommodate this desire and offer color temperature changing features. With the touch of a switch or smart phone, these changes are possible.

I am surprised when some of our clients request 5000K. It is a very cool temperature with lots of blue and is closest to outdoor light or daylight. Workspaces are important and there are many reasons for selecting the color temperature that works for you and aid in increased productivity while working from home. Fan lights and bulbs are now offering the selectable temperatures as well.

The lumen output is a most important factor and more important than the color temperature. The lumens produced by LED bulbs is the amount of light or brightness, the bulb delivers. In the LED world an old 60-watt bulb is now a 9.8-watt bulb and delivers 800 lumens. The old 100 watt is now a 15-watt LED and offers 1600 lumens. Please see the cheat sheet below with thanks to The Can Converter for their hard work. Remember when you purchase an LED, look on the side of the box for the lighting facts.