Ask the Designer: Heather Solves Your Design Dilemmas
With 20+ years of experience, Innovatus Design founder Heather Mastrangeli is here to answer design questions from the community.
Have a Design Dilemma? Heather can help! Contact us at info@innovatusdesign.com.
Facebook Group Member Travis Asks: “Our new wallpaper gives a pink hue in the evening when the lights are on. During the day, it looks more neutral. I want it to look neutral. How do I fix this?”
Heather’s Solution:
Isn’t it crazy how much lighting impacts a space and how colors are seen? I totally understand not wanting to remove the wallpaper and start fresh. There are some real, practical things you can do to solve this issue!
As you’ve experienced, lighting comes in different types and colors. The colors light are referred to as Kelvin temperature. I’m going to geek out a moment for you (lighting is my jam!!).
The Kelvin temperature scale was invented by William Thomson, he was also known as Lord Kelvin. He was an inventor and scientist.
The Kelvin scale is one of the three well-known scales used to measure temperature, alongside Fahrenheit and Celsius. Unlike Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature scales, the Kelvin scale doesn’t go below 0 (negative), its lowest reading is 0 K. In interiors, the most common Kelvin temperatures for residential light bulbs are 2500K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K. 3000K is the most common of all. In commercial facilities, you can expect to find 3000k, up through 5500K, with 4000K-5000K being the most common.
Back to you… Who cares about all these numbers? Well, you do if you’re trying to select the right Kelvin temperature so your wallpaper isn’t pink.
Here’s what’s really happening: the Kelvin temperature of the bulbs installed in your room are too low and bringing out the warm undertones of the wallpaper. I’m guessing the bulbs in your space are in the 2500K-3000K range. To get the color closer to daylight (which is generally known as 5000K), then you need cooler temperature bulbs.
The first step is to try to identify what you have installed in your home. The light bulbs usually have this printed on them in itty bitty font. It’s hard to read, and I usually have to use a magnifying glass in addition to my reading glasses. Once you figure this out, we begin trial and error. Start stepping up the Kelvin temperature by 500K. If the existing bulb is 3000K, then try 3500K next. If the wallpaper still feels pink, then go up to 4000K. If that’s still not to your liking, then 4500K. I do not recommend going above 5000K. The higher the Kelvin temperature, the cooler and more institutional the lighting will feel. In your original note, you mentioned this room is for your baby’s nursery. Do the child a favor and don’t go too cool with the Kelvin temp. It can become uncomfortable after a while.
If you’re still having issues, then feel free to reach out to our team!
If you’re a design pro reading this and need help with your lighting skills, then take Heather’s Lighting Course!
