How to Control Home Lighting

Determine the typical use of each room in your home and who will be using the room. Sketch a diagram of each room marking electrical sockets, windows and features which might block out light.

Switch off all artificial light sources in the room. Assess the maximum level of natural light in the room by opening all curtains or shutters. Add a sheet or net curtain to any windows if this light level is too high.

Close all curtains and shutters in the room and turn on all existing artificial light sources. Walk around the entire room, marking any areas of uncomfortable lighting on your sketch.

Increase the wattage of light bulbs in main lighting fixtures to increase the overall light level in the room, or decrease the wattage for the opposite effect. Replace the light switches on your main lighting fixtures with dimmer switches which allow you to vary the light level manually.

Use the dimmer switch to find a comfortable level of overall light for the room, adjusting the dimmer if the light level in the room drops or increases for any reason. Place lamps in areas of the room in need of extra lighting, using your diagram to site electrical sockets.

Increase the thickness of your curtains if you have increased the light level in a room, to prevent light pollution reaching neighbors. Repeat these steps in each room of your home for full control of your home lighting.