Don they emit a harsh light?
Not necessarily – modern compact fluorescent bulbs generally come in two types, which differ in the spectrum of light emitted. Those marked ‘4000K’ produce a ‘colder’, bluey-white light, which is good for working by, while those marked ‘2700K’ emit a ‘warmer’, more yellow light that is good for living areas. Remember, the higher the ‘K’ value, the bluer the light will be, irrespective of the power rating of the bulb.