Why Switching To Warm White LED Bulbs Made My Home Feel Instantly Cozier
A simple lighting change that softened my home without giving up energy efficiency.
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When we moved into our home, many of the light fixtures already had cool LED bulbs installed. Nothing was technically wrong, but the house always felt a little harsh, especially in the evenings. The lighting just did not match the calm, relaxed feeling I wanted at home.
This small project became the first in my Coastal Home Project series, where I share realistic DIY updates that make my home and everyday living feel better. These aren’t major renovations, just simple changes that have a noticeable impact.
Below, I’m sharing the exact warm white LED bulbs I use in my home, along with a simple visual comparison so you can see the difference for yourself.
Why I switched from cool to warm white LEDs

I wanted to keep the energy savings and long lifespan of LED bulbs, but with the softer glow of traditional incandescent lighting. Warm white LED bulbs, often labeled as soft white, felt like the right balance.
For a long time, it felt like you had to choose between cozy incandescent light or lower energy bills with harsh LEDs. That’s not true anymore. You can get LED bulbs that give the same warm glow as traditional incandescent bulbs. Plus, LEDs can last many years longer than a traditional bulb.
What warm white lighting changes

After swapping out the bulbs, the difference was immediate. The house now feels cozier and more inviting at night. The lighting no longer feels stark or clinical, especially in living spaces and bedrooms.
The bulbs I use

After researching different Kelvin temperatures of light bulbs, I chose soft white LED bulbs that give off a warm, cozy glow without looking too yellow or dim. These are the same bulbs used throughout my home, including in my table lamps:
Switching to warm white lighting was one of the easiest home updates I’ve made, and it completely changed how my home feels in the evenings. It’s a small detail, but one that affects how you experience your home every single day.
If your home lighting feels a little too harsh at night, or you want to make the swap from traditional light bulbs to LEDs for energy efficiency and longevity, this is an easy place to start.

Save These Light Bulbs
Pin this graphic on Pinterest so you can continue to refer back to the light bulbs I use for cozy, warm light in my home. And don’t forget to follow Stars & Anchor on Pinterest and on Instagram for more more coastal lifestyle, DIY projects, and beach house inspiration.

Why Switching To Warm White LED Bulbs Made My Home Feel Instantly Cozier
Have you made the switch from traditional incandescent bulbs to LED bulbs? I’d love to hear why or why not.