I totally get what you're saying about LEDs feeling a bit too clinical for older homes. When I renovated the kitchen in one of my investment properties—a charming 1920s bungalow—I initially went with recessed LEDs thinking it'd be a no-brainer. But once installed, the place lost some of its cozy charm. It felt like I'd accidentally turned a vintage cafe into a dentist's waiting room.
Ended up compromising by mixing lighting types: kept some subtle LED under-cabinet strips for practicality (because tenants love good task lighting), but added vintage-style sconces and a couple of Edison bulb pendants to warm things up. Honestly, that combo worked wonders. It balanced efficiency and aesthetics nicely, and renters seemed to appreciate the character.
Sometimes it's not about picking one or the other, but finding that sweet spot between modern convenience and preserving the home's original vibe. Plus, there's something oddly satisfying about seeing those old-school bulbs glowing softly at night...
Your lighting combo sounds spot-on. I had a similar experience when we redid our kitchen a couple years back. Went all-in on LEDs at first, thinking brighter was better, but it felt like cooking under stadium lights—way too harsh. Ended up swapping a few out for warmer bulbs and added a vintage pendant over the breakfast nook. Made a huge difference. You're right, there's something comforting about that softer, warmer glow, especially in older homes.
Mixing modern and vintage lighting like you did is probably the best way to keep things functional without losing character. Plus, Edison bulbs just have that cozy vibe that's hard to replicate with pure LEDs. Glad your tenants appreciate it too—makes all the effort worth it, doesn't it?
Had a similar issue when we flipped a mid-century ranch last year. Initially went with sleek recessed LEDs everywhere, but the kitchen felt cold and sterile. Ended up bringing in a couple vintage-style sconces and a warmer pendant above the island. Totally changed the vibe—felt inviting instead of clinical. LEDs are practical, sure, but mixing in softer, warmer fixtures really balances things out, especially in spaces like kitchens where you spend lots of time. Glad I'm not the only one who learned this the hard way...
Went through something similar with a kitchen remodel a while back. Initially, I was all-in on recessed LEDs because they're clean, modern, and energy-efficient. But after installation, the room felt oddly clinical—like a dentist's office or something. I ended up swapping out a few fixtures for warmer, softer lighting too.
One thing I've found helpful since then is paying close attention to color temperature. LEDs come in different warmth levels (measured in Kelvin), and choosing bulbs around 2700K-3000K can really soften the atmosphere without losing brightness. Also, dimmers are your friend. Being able to adjust brightness depending on the time of day or what you're doing makes a huge difference.
I do like your idea about mixing in vintage-style sconces though...haven't tried that myself yet. Did you go with actual vintage fixtures or new ones designed to look vintage? Curious how hard it was to match them with the rest of your decor.
Lighting's one of those things you don't realize matters so much until you get it wrong, haha. Glad I'm not alone in learning this lesson the hard way...
I get what you're saying about recessed LEDs feeling clinical, but honestly, I think placement matters just as much as color temp. I've found that spacing them differently or adding under-cabinet lighting can totally change the vibe...might be worth experimenting before swapping fixtures again.
