Soft White vs. Daylight Light Bulbs: Which Type of Lighting Is Better?

Despite often being overlooked until they need replacing, light bulbs play a pivotal role in setting the mood and overall functionality of a room. Subsequently, different types of light bulbs and the hues they emit can affect productivity. In a time where there are endless types of lighting to choose from, determining which light bulb will have the best impact on the various rooms of your house can be overwhelming. To help you get started, read through this breakdown of soft white versus daylight light bulbs.

Soft White vs. Daylight 

There are several differences between soft white and daylight bulbs, each with its own properties that can enhance a room’s aesthetic, complement decor, and create inviting, ambient lighting in your living spaces.

Understanding the Kelvin Scale

The difference between soft white light bulbs and daylight light bulbs, or warm versus cool light, comes down to the Kelvin scale. The Kelvin scale is made up of units—known as Kelvins—which are used to describe a light bulb’s color temperature. The number of Kelvins a light bulb has correlates to its warmth or coolness, and this number determines where on the Kelvin scale (between 1,000K and 10,000K) the bulb lands. 

Soft white light bulbs have a warm color temperature and fall between 2,700K and 3,000K on the Kelvin scale. In contrast, daylight bulbs have a cooler color temperature and fall between 5,000K and 6,000K on the Kelvin scale.

Pros and Cons of Soft White Light Bulbs

Incandescent light bulbs are traditional soft white light bulbs that are still commonly used today. If these cons are too great for you, LED soft white bulbs are available as a cost-effective and energy-efficient alternative.

Pros

• Better suited for residential homes

• Relative inexpensive

• Give off yellow or light orange tones, creating an inviting, cozy feel

• When paired with earth-tone wall paint, they enhance the rich color and tie together a soothing space

Cons

• Not energy-efficient. 

• Last up to a year at most

• Can get very hot to the touch

Pros and Cons of Daylight Light Bulbs

An interesting fact about daylight bulbs is that they are often used as light therapy light bulbs and in light therapy lamps to help treat seasonal affective disorder.

Pros

• Brighter, cool white color that resembles natural sunlight

• Light is invigorating and can bring light to windowless spaces like basements

• LED varieties are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and come in various color temperatures 

Cons

• Light may feel blue-toned, which is less relaxing 

• Can be too harsh for smaller rooms

• Some can be better suited to commercial spaces than residential 

Where to Use Soft White Light Bulbs

Because soft white light bulbs evoke feelings of relaxation and comfort, you’ll get the most out of them when they’re incorporated into the parts of your home that also make you feel warm and cozy. When in doubt, consult your local electrician on lighting types. Here are some of the rooms that make the most sense to light with soft white bulbs:

Kitchen

When choosing the right type of kitchen lighting, consider the light temperature that is most comfortable for you. After all, there’s something about a quaint, comfy kitchen that makes baking and cooking feel more like a passion than a chore. That said, warm lighting heightens the feeling of coziness and helps cultivate a romantic atmosphere perfect for date nights at home. 

No matter the size of the room, the light colors offered by a soft white light bulb combined with the mouth-watering aroma of a home-cooked meal will turn your kitchen into the most occupied space in your house. 

Bathroom

A bathroom is no place to rush in, and the right lighting can make someone feel safe to take their time. When it comes to choosing between soft white versus daylight bulbs for the bathroom, soft white light bulbs help create an environment that’s soothing and serene, which is precisely the type of statement a bathroom should make to homeowners and house guests alike. 

Bedroom

Soft white light bulbs are well-suited for lamps, and ‌they make a great complement to bedroom nightside tables. Your bedroom should be a stress-free reprieve from the constant work and life responsibilities outside its walls. A light bulb color with a yellow light versus a white light will encourage you to wind down at night and help you settle in for a restful sleep. 

Living Room/Den 

Many homeowners prefer soft white versus daylight bulbs for the living room, family room, and den because of the peaceful vibes a soft white light bulb provides. There’s a reason lights are turned down when watching a movie—a dimmable soft white light bulb can help set the tone of a leisurely movie night.

Where to Use Daylight Light Bulbs

One of the main takeaways of daylight light bulbs is that the light they give off is thought to be energizing, bright white, and clean. For this reason, these bulbs pair well with rooms meant for productivity. Below are examples of rooms that will benefit from the vivid lighting given off by these bulbs.  

Office

Daylight light bulbs are an ideal lighting choice for home offices because of the stimulating bright light they give off. A home office can be a distracting environment, and having the lighting to keep you focused and on track can make all the difference when you’re under a deadline.  

Kitchen

Although soft white light bulbs can also be incorporated into kitchens to get a homey, welcoming feel, daylight light bulbs are also favored for kitchens because of the sense of sanitation they exude. Choosing daylight versus soft white bulbs for your kitchen is certainly a matter of preference. Before purchasing them, it may be helpful to reflect on whether you enjoy low-key lighting while cooking and eating or if you prefer an air of energy around you when preparing meals. 

Garage

If your garage doubles as a workshop and plenty of time is spent in there, daylight light bulbs are an excellent light choice for that area. When working on vehicles or tinkering with small objects like nails and screws, you’ll need strong lighting to help ensure you have full visibility for your project. 

Bathroom

Again, when it comes to soft white versus daylight bulbs, adding one type or the other to your bathroom depends on your preference—but an important factor worth considering is whether there are windows within that space. If your bathrooms have windows that get a high volume of sunlight, the color of daylight light bulbs will work in conjunction with that natural light and enhance it. 

Since bathrooms are generally the primary setting for self-care routines, styling hair, and applying makeup, having a radiating light will make the process easier by allowing for the illumination you need to get the job done thoroughly.