Why We Don’t Recommend LED Lighting: A Health-Focused Approach to Interior Design

At Vignette Coeur d'Alene Design here in beautiful North Idaho, we take a holistic approach to home design. That means we don’t just focus on how your space looks—we also care deeply about how it makes you feel. One of the biggest factors in that? Lighting.

While LED lighting has become the go-to choice in many homes due to its energy efficiency, we choose to take a different path—one that puts human health and comfort first.

⚠️ The Hidden Side of LED Lighting

It’s true that LED lights use less electricity and last longer than traditional bulbs. But many LED lights—especially the cool-toned, bright white versions commonly sold in stores—can have unintended effects on our well-being:

• Disrupting sleep: The blue light spectrum emitted by many LEDs suppresses melatonin, a hormone essential for restful sleep.

• Causing eye strain and headaches: Harsh, flickering LED light can be hard on the eyes, particularly in the evening or in spaces where you need to relax.

• Affecting mood and focus: Overexposure to intense artificial light has been linked to increased anxiety and decreased focus in both adults and children.

🌿 Our Healthier Alternative: Ambient Lighting

Instead of relying on bright, overhead LEDs, we design lighting plans that prioritize ambient, warm-toned lighting using:

• Soft, dimmable incandescent-style bulbs

• Sconces, floor lamps, and table lamps that distribute light gently

• Thoughtful layering of light to suit different moods and times of day

• Natural daylight, enhanced with window placement and sheer treatments

This creates environments that feel calming, welcoming, and supportive of your natural circadian rhythm—which is especially important in the darker, cozier months here in North Idaho.

🏡 Why It Matters

Your home should be a place of peace, comfort, and restoration. Lighting plays a bigger role in that than most people realize. Our goal is to help you create a space that doesn’t just look amazing—it feels good to live in.

Tracy Blalock