A recent study has found that the color and quality of indoor lighting can significantly affect how people experience music. The research, conducted by a team from three universities, suggests that musical venues, healthcare facilities, and homeowners may want to reconsider their lighting choices to enhance enjoyment and emotional response during music listening.
Jae Yong Suk, associate professor in the Department of Design and director of the California Lighting Technology Center at the University of California, Davis, commented on the findings: “Some performance halls and auditoriums are already using color-changing LED systems during their programs, but most don’t really know which colors are most effective for shaping different emotional responses as there is no scientific evidence.” He added, “Our study helps give them a clearer direction, so lighting choices can be more intentional and emotionally supportive rather than just aesthetic.”
The study’s lead author, Dongwoo (Jason) Yeom of Clemson University, noted that these insights could also benefit well-being and mood regulation in long-term care settings.
Published in November in Lighting Design & Application under the title “How Can Lighting Enhance Your Perceptual Music Listening Experience?”, the study explored how various lighting conditions influence listeners’ perception of music. The research looked at factors such as positivity ratings, perceived fit between lighting and music, and overall satisfaction with the environment.
Participants listened to happy or sad popular music excerpts while exposed to blue, cool white, red, or warm white LED lights. Results showed that happy music was rated most positively under warm white light and least positively under blue light. In contrast, sad music received its lowest ratings under red light but was rated highest when paired with blue lighting—a finding that surprised researchers given previous studies suggesting blue light is energizing.
Cool-white lighting was generally acceptable visually but was considered least compatible with happy music. According to the authors, these results indicate that designers should focus not only on visual comfort but also on aligning lighting choices with specific types of music to create an emotionally supportive atmosphere.
Co-authors included Kristina Knowles from Arizona State University’s School of Music and Seonghyuk Son from Clemson University.
