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This content is presented by The Home Depot. The included facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com.
The winter months bring plenty of good cheer, but they also mean longer nights. Having the right lighting in your home can make a big difference not just in how it looks, but in how you feel, especially after sunset. Many of us spend the daylight hours indoors under bright lights, whether that’s an office building or a school. And while there are times when you want your lights at home to be just as bright, such as when doing homework or prepping meals, there are plenty of instances when having a more mellow lighting is desirable. It can foster a feeling of coziness and the kind of ambiance that makes a house feel like a home. If you haven’t already installed a dimmer switch in your home, these smart dimmer switch ideas will give you plenty of reasons to.
Before Bedtime
Whether it’s the kids racing around or your own mind racing, dimming the lights an hour or so before bedtime can help create a sense of relaxation and calm. Having soft lighting in bedrooms is fairly universal, but lowering the lights in other areas of the home—such as the dining room, living room, or play areas—can help put the body in wind-down mode.
Consider installing a kit like the Diva Smart Dimmer Multi-Room Kit available at The Home Depot, which enables you to replace existing light switches with dimmer switches, while providing a hub that connects to your smartphone or smart home devices like Alexa, Google, Apple Home, and Ring. This means you can control the lights from afar or the other room. It also means you can preset a time for the lights to dim, such as one hour before bedtime, so it happens automatically. As an added perk, you can set lights to come on and off at specific times, even when you’re not home.
During Dinner Parties
Dining rooms frequently feature a large, bright light or chandelier centered over the table. This is an essential feature when cleaning the room and laying out the place settings. But once the centerpiece is perfected and the table set, dimming the lights before guests arrive will create an inviting atmosphere that encourages guests to relax and truly enjoy the meal.
Candlelight is often associated with romantic dinners, but candles alone aren’t enough to see by. Keep the candles for ambiance but don’t rely on them for your only light source. Having an overhead light lowered to just the right level allows for a cozy, festive atmosphere while ensuring you won’t spill the wine.
Basking in the Holiday Glow
If you’re ready to decorate the tree, or perhaps just your mantle, it’s not a secret that getting just the right holiday atmosphere can be a lot of work. Once you’ve strung up all those twinkling lights and sorted through the decorations, dimming the lights and putting on music can make the experience feel less like a chore and more like a memorable event.
And though flickering firelight might be how it’s done in all the Hallmark movies, it is probably not enough light to hang your mistletoe by. Using a dimmer switch on bigger overhead lights allows you to keep the ambiance without worrying about stepping on an ornament hook. Just don’t forget to have a cup of cocoa and admire all your handiwork.
When Guests Stay Over
The holidays often bring overnight visitors who may need to make their way around the house in the middle of the night. Rather than leave them in the dark or rely on a plug-in night-light, keep a lamp in the living room or a light over the dining table or kitchen counter on dim setting so guests can move about without stubbing a toe.
A simple switch like the Diva Smart Dimmer Switch 3-Way Kit, also available at The Home Depot, is a wireless kit that includes two paddle-style light switches. One of these replaces your existing light switch and the other is a remote switch you can mount anywhere. You can control the level of light directly at the switch, at the remote switch, from your smartphone, or even from your smart home device. This means your guests can get tucked in and you can turn the lights on and off or dim them right from your fingertips once they are settled.
During Holiday Parties
Nothing quite ruins the ambiance of a sparkling holiday party like the glare of an overhead light. Using lamps and festive string lights will amp up the ambiance, but if you’ve got the snacks laid out you may want a little more light. Using a dimmer switch in the dining area or above a kitchen island helps cast just the right amount of light so that everyone can see the cheese and crackers without having to flood the environment with a big bright light.
Hallways are another great place to adjust the lights. Keep the lights low but bright enough to allow friends and family to find their coats or easily navigate to the bathroom.
