I’ve run into the same issue with “cold” lighting in some of my recent projects—especially when clients want that ultra-modern look but then realize it feels a bit sterile at night. I’ve found that mixing color temperatures in a space can help, but you really have to be intentional or it just looks mismatched. I’m still a bit skeptical about some of the “warm” LEDs, too. They’re better than they were five years ago, but I’ll admit, I keep a stash of old halogens for when I need to show off paint samples or artwork. For general lighting, though, I’m probably 85% LED at this point. The maintenance savings alone are hard to argue with, even if the ambiance isn’t always perfect.
I keep a stash of old halogens for when I need to show off paint samples or artwork.
Honestly, I get the temptation to hang onto halogens for color accuracy, but LEDs have come a long way. Some of the higher CRI (color rendering index) LEDs do a decent job now—worth checking out if you haven’t tried them recently. Mixing color temps can work, but yeah, it’s easy to mess up the vibe if you’re not careful. For me, the energy savings and lower heat output from LEDs outweigh most of the downsides. Still, I’ll admit, nothing beats that old-school halogen glow for certain spaces.
nothing beats that old-school halogen glow for certain spaces.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve seen clients swear by halogens for art displays, and honestly, the warmth is tough to replicate. Have you tried any of the new “full spectrum” LEDs? Some of them get surprisingly close, but they’re not perfect. Still, swapping to LEDs in most of the house really does help with those summer cooling bills...
the warmth is tough to replicate
Yeah, that’s the thing. I’ve tried a bunch of “warm” LEDs in my own place, and while they’re getting better, there’s still something about halogen that just feels right in certain rooms. I did a reno last year and ended up keeping halogens in the hallway just because the art looked flat under LEDs. Everywhere else, though, it’s all LEDs—my AC bill thanked me for it.
I totally get where you’re coming from. I swapped out almost every bulb in our new place for LEDs, but there are a couple spots where I just couldn’t do it. The living room has this old-school floor lamp that makes everything look cozy with halogens—tried a few “warm” LEDs and it just wasn’t the same vibe. Maybe it’s nostalgia, or maybe my eyes are just picky, but there’s something about the way halogen lights up wood and fabric.
That said, the kitchen and bedrooms are all LEDs now. Like you said, the power bill difference is real. I was a little skeptical at first, but after the first summer, I noticed the AC didn’t have to work as hard. Still, I keep a stash of halogen bulbs for those “just right” spots. Guess it’s all about balance—saving energy where you can, but not sacrificing the feel of your home.