The Hidden Truth About Colour
Why Your Home Looks Dull Even with Expensive Décor
A Simple Guide to CRI, R9, TM-30 & Human Color Experience
You picked the right paint.
You chose elegant furniture.
You spent hours decorating.
Still, something looks… off.
Colours appear muted, the wood feels grey, skin tones look tired, marble looks flat—almost lifeless.
The problem is not your interior design.
It’s your light quality.
Brightness (Lumens) only tells you how much light.
But colour rendering shows you how good that light really is.
Welcome to the world of CRI, R9, and TM-30 – where light starts to feel human, emotional, and alive.
Sunlight — The Original Designer Light
Step outside, and suddenly everything feels alive.
Nature looks richer. Skin looks healthier. Wood feels warm. Fruits look fresh.
That’s because sunlight has a CRI of 100 — perfect colour accuracy.
Most indoor lights don’t even come close.
Even bright LEDs can make your space look flat, washed out, or grey.
Sunlight vs Indoor Light Colour Rendering
CRI — How Accurately a Light Shows True Colours
CRI (Colour Rendering Index) measures how similar colours look under artificial light compared to natural daylight.
| CRI Score | Colour Result | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| < 80 | Flat, pale, lifeless | Garage, storeroom |
| 80–90 | Decent, slightly dull | Basic homes |
| 90–95 | Natural, warm, realistic | Living rooms, bedrooms |
| 95–100 | Vibrant, premium, sunlight-like |
Luxury, makeup, art, photography |
Liglite Rule:
For any room where people live, talk, dress, cook, or relax — CRI 90+ is a must.
How CRI Levels Change Real Colours
R9 — The Secret Behind Warm, Lively, Human Spaces
CRI is not the full story.
It does not measure red, the most important colour for life, warmth, and emotion.
That’s where R9 comes in.
R9 improves how we perceive:
✔ Skin tones (healthy, lively, human warmth)
✔ Food freshness (red apples, tomatoes, meat)
✔ Wood, fabrics, terracotta, gold, marble
✔ Emotional warmth in interiors
| R9 Score | Real-Life Experience |
|---|---|
| Above 50 | Warm, vibrant, human-friendly |
| 0–20 | Slightly dull, pale, lifeless |
| Negative | Greyish, sickly, "hospital light" |
⚠ Many cheap bulbs claim CRI 90, but have R9 below zero.
Always check both CRI and R9.
R9 Impact on Skin, Food, Wood
TM-30 — The Modern Upgrade to CRI
CRI uses only 8 colours for testing.
TM-30 uses 99 real-world colours — far more accurate and realistic.
TM-30 gives two ratings:
| TM-30 Value | What it Means |
|---|---|
| Rf (Fidelity) | Accuracy — how true-to-life colors appear (like CRI++) |
| Rg (Gamut) | Vibrancy — how rich, vivid, or muted colours look |
| Rg Value | Real Meaning |
|---|---|
| ≈100 | Natural, safe |
| >100 | Enhanced, vivid, Instagram-ready |
| <100 | Dull, desaturated |
Designers often choose Rg 102–108 for cozy living rooms, restaurants, art walls, and retail.
TM-30 Explained: Rf and Rg
Real-Life Comparison — Before and After Good Lighting
| Surface/Material | Low CRI / Low R9 | High CRI / High R9 |
|---|---|---|
| Skin tones | Grey, tired | Healthy, warm, human |
| Food (fruits, meals) | Pale, unappetizing | Juicy, rich, fresh |
| Walnut / teak wood | Muddy brown | Golden, rich grain |
| Marble/stone | Flat, lifeless | Depth, texture, dimension |
| Makeup / Art wall | Inaccurate | True colours, vibrant |
Before vs After Lighting Upgrade (Room Transformatio
Colour Rendering & Human Wellness
Light is not just visual — it’s emotional, biological, and spiritual.
Good lighting improves:
✨ Emotional warmth — faces look alive
🪔 Spiritual ambience — pooja rooms feel sacred
🎨 Creative clarity — true colour for design/art
🧎♂️ Mental calm — warm reds reduce anxiety
☀️ Vastu & Ayurveda — light = prana (life energy)
In dull lighting, colours die. So does mood.
Lighting & Mood Wellness Visualization
Liglite Smart Colour Lighting Checklist
✔ CRI ≥ 90
✔ R9 ≥ 50 (for human warmth & food freshness)
✔ TM-30: Rf ≥90 & Rg ≈100
✔ Choose Full Spectrum or Sunlike LED
✔ Use CRI 95+ in makeup area, dining, dressing, décor, photography zones
Best rooms for high CRI & R9:
Bathroom mirror / Makeup
Kitchen & dining
Living and conversation zones
Prayer, meditation, and reading spaces
Home office / Video calls
Art and photo walls
Quick Reference Table
| Location | Recommended CRI | R9 | Ideal TM-30 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom/Makeup | 90–95 | 60+ | Rf 90+ / Rg 100 |
| Kitchen/Dining | 90+ | 50+ | Rf 90 / Rg 100 |
| Living Room | 90+ | 40+ | Rf 90 / Rg 100 |
| Study/Office | 85+ | 30+ | Rf 85 / Rg 95–100 |
| Bedroom | 90 | 40 | Rf 90 / Rg ~100 |
Smart Colour Lighting Checklist (Poster Style)
Why This Actually Matters in Real Life
The right light doesn’t just illuminate.
It upgrades life quality.
✓ Makes your home feel richer, warmer, more natural
✓ Enhances décor value — wood, marble, fabrics look premium
✓ Better selfies, video calls, and photographs – naturally
✓ Boosts social warmth and emotional comfort
✓ Makes your space feel alive, not artificial
Good lighting doesn’t change furniture.
It changes how you feel in it.
Emotional & Social Impact of Great Lighting
Coming Next
Mood & Emotion Through Light Temperature
Understanding Warm vs Cool Light (2700K–6500K)
Use it to shape sleep, productivity, relaxation, intimacy, and focus — room by room.