When designing a living room, office, bedroom or any room in your house, lighting is an important feature. In fact, lighting is just as important as picking furniture, flooring, paint and more. Of course, your light fixture is going to be the star of the show, and because of this, you want to make sure you have the best lighting possible.

The type of lighting you use sets the ambiance and mood of the room. Whether you want warm tones or a bright room, you have to choose the best lighting that not only fits your home aesthetic and furniture but also your mood. Just think about what type of ambiance you want to set with yourself, your family and your guests.

To set this ambiance, you’ll have to decide between soft white vs. daylight bulbs. So what exactly are these bulbs and which one should you choose? Let’s break it down for you.

The Difference Between Soft White vs. Daylight

The biggest difference between soft white vs. daylight lightbulbs is color temperature. The color temperature depends on whether you want a warm or bright room. Soft white lightbulbs have a warm light that is slightly yellow in color. This bulb produces a warm and cozy vibe with a calm atmosphere. This type of light works well in farmhouse-style houses, organic modern rooms and boho-vibe homes and rooms.

Daylight bulbs produce bright and cool lighting and give off an energetic vibe. This bulb has a brighter and more white color and works well with bright paint colors and color palettes, a minimalist home aesthetic, a brutalist interior design style, and a contemporary style home.

Pros and Cons of Each Light Bub

With each light bulb having different color temperatures, there are pros and cons to each. Some of the pros of using a soft white lightbulb. Soft white lightbulbs are slightly lower in temperature than daylight. Soft white bulbs are also perfect for kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms, libraries and reading nooks and dining rooms. These lightbulbs may not be the best option for doing office work or important tasks because they provide a lower light.

Daylight light bulbs are slightly higher in temperature and are perfect for bedrooms, offices, kitchens, laundry rooms, attics, garages, basements and workspaces. The cons of this lightbulb are that it might be too bright for some rooms.

Which One Should I Choose?

Choosing between soft white vs. daylight bulbs is dependent on the type of aesthetic you’re going for. If you’re looking for something warm, cozy and soft, then you’ll want to choose soft white. If your goal is to brighten up the room, daylight works best for the aesthetic you’re hoping to accomplish. Pick whichever type of bulb best suits your home and the design and aesthetic of the room.