In short
Most commercial recessed lighting uses 3000K to 4000K; warmer 2700K to 3000K suits hospitality, while 4000K suits offices and education.
Colour temperature, measured in kelvin, sets the mood of a space.
| Space | Typical CCT |
|---|---|
| Hospitality, residential | 2700K to 3000K |
| Retail, receptions | 3000K to 3500K |
| Offices, education | 3500K to 4000K |
| Healthcare clinical | 4000K |
Keep it consistent
Use the same CCT within a space, and specify tight colour consistency so fittings match.
Tunable white
Tunable white fittings can shift CCT through the day for human-centric lighting.
Further reading at 299 Lighting
Next steps on recessedlighting.co.uk
Planning a recessed scheme?
Send us your reflected ceiling plan. We'll come back with a product shortlist, ceiling cut-out details and lighting calculations.
Start a project →Frequently asked questions
What colour temperature is best for offices?
Usually 3500K to 4000K neutral white.
What is tunable white?
Lighting that can change colour temperature, usually controlled by DALI DT8 or Casambi.
