What I Changed in My House One Hot July—and Why It Still Helps Every Summer
I used to think summer problems were just about heat. That sticky, heavy kind that makes you cranky even when you're doing nothing.
But one July, after a few too many sweaty nights and weirdly bright rooms, I started noticing something else.
The lights.
Not just how bright or dim they were, but how they made the house feel. Some were too harsh, others made the air feel warmer, and a few just didn’t make sense for sum... moreWhat I Changed in My House One Hot July—and Why It Still Helps Every Summer
I used to think summer problems were just about heat. That sticky, heavy kind that makes you cranky even when you're doing nothing.
But one July, after a few too many sweaty nights and weirdly bright rooms, I started noticing something else.
The lights.
Not just how bright or dim they were, but how they made the house feel. Some were too harsh, others made the air feel warmer, and a few just didn’t make sense for summer at all.
That month was when I decided to take a closer look—and fix what I could.
Turns out, changing your lighting in summer doesn’t need to be expensive or fancy. It can be as simple as swapping a bulb or moving a lamp. Here’s what I learned that July, and what’s still working for me now.
1. The Kitchen Heat Trap
Let me start with the kitchen. It’s where the whole thing began.
Every morning, I’d go in to make coffee, and within minutes it felt like I was in a sauna. I blamed the stove at first. Then the weather. But the real culprit was above my head—a pair of old halogen bulbs in the ceiling fixture.
Those things gave off heat like tiny suns.
I swapped them for cooler, energy-saving LED bulbs. Same brightness, way less heat. The difference was instant. The kitchen stayed cooler, and I could actually enjoy making breakfast again.
I found the exact kind of bulbs I needed on https://50bulbs.com/. They have the basic info laid out in a way that makes it easy to pick the right one. No guessing.
2. My Desk Felt Like an Oven
Next came the home office, where I spend a lot of time. My desk sits near a window, which is nice in spring. But in July? It's like working inside a greenhouse.
I had a bright overhead light on during most of the day. Not thinking, I kept using it—until I realized it was making everything feel hotter and more uncomfortable.
So I switched it off and used a small desk lamp instead. I chose a warm white bulb, soft enough to work under but not blinding. I also started using natural light in the mornings and closing the blinds in the afternoon when the sun got too strong.
Just that little routine made my workdays better.
Again, I picked the right bulb by reading through a short guide at https://50bulbs.com/. It explained what color temperature to use for focus (cool white) versus rest (warm white). Super helpful.
3. The Hallway That Felt Like a Hospital
There’s a hallway in my house that always felt “off” in summer. The light was too cold and too bright. Every time I walked through, it felt jarring—especially at night when I was trying to wind down.
I realized I was using a daylight bulb in a small space. It made everything look washed out and weird.
I replaced it with a softer, warm-toned bulb (2700K, if you want to get specific). Suddenly, the hallway felt cozy again. Just a hallway, yes, but a calmer one.
4. Nights Got Easier, Too
Sleep in summer was the hardest part. The sun stays up late, the room stays warm, and I was still using the same bright bedroom light I used all winter.
One night I had enough. I turned off the ceiling light and grabbed a little bedside lamp from another room. I screwed in a warm, low-glow bulb and used only that for the whole night.
It changed everything.
My body relaxed faster. The room felt cooler. I wasn’t squinting or getting shocked by bright light before bed. It was quiet, calm, and better for sleep.
Since then, that lamp’s been my go-to after 8pm. I even got another bulb just like it from https://50bulbs.com/ for the other side of the bed.
5. One Lamp in the Living Room
I used to turn on the whole ceiling light fixture in the living room every time I walked in. No matter what time of day it was.
In July, that meant filling the room with light and heat, even when it wasn’t needed.
Now I just use a single floor lamp in the corner, with a warm LED bulb that lights enough space without overdoing it. It makes the room feel more like summer should—easy, slow, relaxed.
What to Try If You’re Just Getting Started
If any of this sounds familiar, here’s what I’d suggest:
Pick one room that feels too hot or too bright
Check what kind of bulbs you’re using
Replace anything old, hot, or too white with soft LED bulbs
Try using lamps instead of overhead lights, especially at night
Let natural light do the work when it’s gentle—and block it when it’s too much
You don’t have to do everything at once. I didn’t. I started with one light in the kitchen and kept going as I noticed what felt better.
Why It Still Works
The cool part? I haven’t gone back.
Even now, long after that sweaty July, I still use those same routines. The house feels better. I sleep better. And I’ve saved a little on my electric bill, too.
I also learned way more about bulbs than I thought I ever would. Mostly thanks to https://50bulbs.com/—a site that actually explains stuff without making it complicated.
If you’ve ever stood in the lighting aisle not knowing what to buy (I definitely have), that site helps.
Summer Can Be Easy—Even Indoors
You can’t control the sun, but you can control the light inside your house. That’s what I learned one hot, frustrating July.
With a few simple changes, summer lighting can feel soft, cool, and calm. It can help you sleep, work, cook, and relax without sweating through it.
And honestly, it’s kind of fun. You see the change immediately. You feel it.
Try one lamp. One room. One new bulb.
Start there. See how it feels.
Then, if you want a little help figuring out which bulb is best, go to https://50bulbs.com/. No pressure. Just useful info that makes summer feel a little easier.
