Human centric lighting is a simple idea: your lighting should support the way your body naturally responds to light throughout the day.
Sunlight naturally changes color from morning to night. Midday light is cooler and more blue-rich, while evening light becomes warmer and more amber. Your body uses those changes as signals for when to feel alert and when to start winding down.
Special light-sensitive cells in your eyes send information directly to your brain's internal clock, which regulates your circadian rhythm. Bright, cool light helps promote alertness during the day. Warm, dim light in the evening signals that it's time to relax and prepare for sleep.
For most of human history, this happened naturally because our primary light sources were the sun and fire. Today, we're often surrounded by bright artificial lighting long after sunset. While that's convenient, it doesn't always align with how our bodies naturally respond to light.
Human centric lighting simply brings those natural lighting patterns back indoors. By adjusting color temperature throughout the day, your lighting can better support the way people live, work, and relax.
The Two Types of LED Strip Lights That Make It Possible
Creating a human centric lighting system doesn't require a complete smart home overhaul. In most applications, it comes down to choosing the right LED strip light for the space.
1. Dim to Warm LED Strip Lights
Standard dimmable LEDs reduce brightness, but the color temperature stays the same. As the lights dim, you simply get less of the same light.
Dim to Warm LED strip lights work differently. As you dim the lights, the color temperature becomes progressively warmer, just like an incandescent bulb or candlelight.
Our Architect Dim to Warm Strip Lights transition from approximately 3000K down to 1800K as they dim. The result is a warmer, more relaxing environment that's ideal for evenings and spaces designed for comfort.
Best Applications
- Bedrooms
- Living rooms
- Under cabinet lighting
- Restaurants and hospitality spaces
- Cove lighting
- Accent lighting
These strips pair well with the Single Color InDrive 2-in-1 Dimmer Switch + Driver for a simple installation and smooth dimming performance.
2. Tunable White LED Strip Lights
Where Dim to Warm automatically changes color as you dim, Tunable White LED Strip Lights give you independent control over both brightness and color temperature.
Our Summit Series, Dotless, and Superior Tunable White Strip Lights allow you to adjust anywhere from approximately 2500K to 6000K while maintaining any brightness level you choose.
That means you can create:
- Bright, cool light for detailed work
- Bright, warm light for entertaining
- Dim, warm light for relaxing
- Any combination in between
One installation can provide the right lighting throughout the entire day.
Best Applications
- Kitchens
- Home offices
- Bathrooms
- Garages and workshops
- Retail environments
- Commercial workspaces
- Multipurpose rooms
If the lighting needs to adapt to different activities throughout the day, Tunable White is usually the best choice.
Choosing a Controller
The controller is what allows a Tunable White system to adjust both brightness and color temperature.
For most installations, we recommend using a Casambi Bluetooth Controller. Casambi offers wireless control without requiring a hub or cloud connection.
With Casambi, you can:
- Save lighting scenes such as "Morning" or "Evening"
- Schedule color temperature changes throughout the day
- Group multiple fixtures into zones
- Control lighting from a mobile device or compatible wall controls
For electricians, this reduces control wiring and simplifies installation. For homeowners and DIYers, it provides an easy way to customize lighting after installation.
Installation Tips
Before starting your project, keep these installation considerations in mind.
Match the Voltage
Most human centric LED strip lights operate on 24V DC. Always use a compatible power supply.
Size the Power Supply Correctly
Calculate the total wattage of your LED strip run and size the power supply with approximately 20% headroom. As a general guideline, continuous loads should be kept around 80% of the power supply's rated capacity.
Understand the Wiring Requirements
Dim to Warm strips have a simpler connection because they only have 2 wires.
Tunable White strips have 3 wires because they require an additional conductor for the second color channel, so be sure your wire, controller, and connectors are all compatible.
Install Using Aluminum Channel
Whenever possible, mount LED strips in aluminum channel. Aluminum channel improves heat dissipation, protects the strip, creates a cleaner finished appearance, and helps maximize the life of the LEDs.
Verify Compatibility Before Installation
Before cutting or installing your strips, confirm that your LED strip light, controller, power supply, and accessories are all designed to work together. This helps prevent installation issues and ensures reliable performance.
Which Option is Right for You?
Choose Dim to Warm if you want:
- Warm, relaxing lighting that automatically becomes cozier as it dims
- Simple operation with the InDrive 2-in-1 Dimmer
- Lighting for bedrooms, living rooms, restaurants, or accent lighting
Choose Tunable White if you want:
- Independent control of brightness and color temperature
- Lighting that changes throughout the day
- Maximum flexibility for multipurpose spaces
- Smart controls, scenes, and scheduling
Frequently Asked Questions
What is human centric lighting?
Human centric lighting is lighting that changes throughout the day to better match the natural progression of sunlight, using cooler light during the day and warmer light in the evening.
What is the difference between Dim to Warm and Tunable White?
Dim to Warm automatically shifts to a warmer color temperature as the lights dim. Dim to warm strip lights have 2 wires.
Tunable White allows you to adjust brightness and color temperature independently, giving you complete control over both. Tunable white strip lights have 3 wires.
Do I need a special controller?
Dim to Warm strip lights are compatible with the Single Color InDrive 2-in-1 Dimmer Switch + Driver.
Tunable White strips require a controller capable of managing two color channels. A Casambi Bluetooth Controller is a popular option because it supports app control, scenes, schedules, and wireless operation. You could also use the CCT InDrive 2-in-1 Dimmer Switch + Driver.
Can I install human centric LED strip lights myself?
Many DIYers can successfully install low-voltage LED strip lighting. If you're comfortable connecting an LED strip to a properly sized power supply, the installation is straightforward. For permanent in-wall wiring, follow local electrical codes and consult a licensed electrician when appropriate.
Does human centric lighting support healthy sleep habits?
Light plays an important role in regulating your body's natural circadian rhythm. Many sleep experts recommend reducing bright, blue-rich light in the evening and using warmer, dimmer lighting to help support a healthy nighttime routine.
The Bottom Line
Human centric lighting isn't about adding technology for the sake of technology. It's about creating lighting that better supports how people naturally live and work.
Dim to Warm LED strip lights create a comfortable evening atmosphere by automatically shifting to warmer color temperatures as they dim.
Tunable White LED strip lights provide complete flexibility, allowing you to adjust both brightness and color temperature to match the task, time of day, or mood.
When paired with the right controller, your lighting can automatically transition throughout the day, creating a space that's comfortable, functional, and easy to use.
Whether you're designing a home, upgrading a commercial space, or installing lighting for a customer, human centric lighting offers a simple way to create a better lighting experience.
Bring Human Centric Lighting to Your Next Project
Whether you're a contractor, electrician, designer, or builder, the aspectLED Pro Program gives you the tools to bring human centric lighting to your next project. Enjoy exclusive pricing, expert project support, and professional-grade LED strip lighting solutions to help you design and install lighting with confidence.
