Why Switching To Warm White LED Bulbs Made My Home Feel Instantly Cozier

A table lamp demonstrating the light from warm light bulbs.

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.


A table lamp demonstrating the light from a cool white light bulb. Text on the image says, Lighting Update: Before.

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.


A table lamp demonstrating the light from a cool white light bulb shown next to a table lamp demonstrating the light from a warm white light bulb. Text on the image says, cool white vs. warm white. Before: cold, sterile, harsh. After: warm, cozy, inviting.

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.


A table lamp demonstrating the light from warm light bulbs. Text on the image says, Lighting Update: After.

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.

A light blue icon of an anchor.

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.

A table lamp demonstrating the light from a cool white light bulb shown next to a table lamp demonstrating the light from a warm white light bulb. Text on the image says, Why switching to warm white LED bulbs made my home feel instantly cozier, and the exact light bulbs I'm using now.

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.

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