We all know lighting can control how we feel, but most of us don’t realize how easy it is to control our lighting. People either don’t think about it, or they assume it’s too complicated or expensive. We get used to the switch we’re given and think, “This is how the room lights up. That’s that.”

But that’s not that.

Lighting controls are one of the simplest, most affordable ways to change the feel of a space and you don’t have to touch a single fixture. A dimmer, a plug-in timer, or a smart switch can completely shift the mood of a room. These tools are easier and more accessible than most people realize, and the difference they make is immediate.

Most homes are still wired for full-on or full-off. Theres one switch and one brightness level, but that doesn’t match how we move through our day. You don’t always want your bedroom fully lit. You don’t need your kitchen blinding you at midnight.

They can even stop your kids from fighting while getting ready in the morning. Quick aside: my sister and I shared a bathroom growing up, and we fought every single day about whether the light should be on or off. A dimmer probably could’ve saved us years of arguments, but I guess it’s something we laugh about now. Lol.

The good news is this doesn’t require a full system or renovation. You can start small. Plug-in dimmers are great for lamps. Smart bulbs can be controlled from your phone or a wall button. And yes, you can install a dimmer switch yourself if you’re comfortable with wiring (though, disclaimer, I’m not giving electrical advice here).

I’ll go deeper into scene settings, sensors, and full home systems in future posts, but here are a few basic control options I recommend for anyone who wants a better experience at home. These are easy to install, renter-safe in most cases, and genuinely helpful.

Lighting Control Recommendations

Lutron Caséta Wireless Plug-in Lamp Dimmer
Great for: Table or floor lamps
This plug-in dimmer lets you adjust the brightness of any lamp without changing the bulb or the fixture. It comes with a remote, so you can control it from the couch or bed.
Lutron Diva LED+ Dimmer Switch
Great for: Replacing a standard wall switch
A clean, reliable dimmer that works with most LED fixtures. This is one of the easiest upgrades to a room with overhead lighting.
Lutron Maestro Motion Sensor Dimmer
Great for: Hallways, closets, bathrooms
Combines motion sensing with dimming control. It automatically turns on when you enter and off when you leave, and still lets you set the mood.
Philips Hue Smart Button + Bridge
Great for: Creating lighting scenes with smart bulbs
This little button lets you switch between preset “scenes” without using an app. It’s small, easy to mount, and renter-friendly.
Basic Plug-in Mechanical Timer
Great for: Lamps, seasonal lighting, or simple automation
No Wi-Fi needed. Just plug in your lamp, set the time, and let it run on a schedule.

Lighting controls are there to give your space more dimension. They give you the option to be softer, slower, brighter, sharper, depending on what you need in that moment. And once you experience that kind of control, it’s hard to go back.

If you’ve ever walked into a room and felt instantly calm, energized, or inexplicably at ease, chances are lighting had something to do with it. It’s the thing we don’t often think about, but it shapes everything we see. The color of the walls. The glow on someone’s face. The way a room feels when you walk into it at night. Lighting is the lens through which we experience our spaces, and yet it’s so often treated as an afterthought.

In theatrical design, the first thing you're taught is that lighting is everything the audience sees. The best lighting designers are quietly guiding your attention, shaping mood, and telling a story, all without the audience ever noticing. That’s the magic of it. The most powerful lighting often disappears into the experience. It’s not loud. It’s not obvious. It just feels right.

I started this blog because I believe that kind of magic should be accessible. Not just for theaters or luxury hotels, but for real people in real spaces. Yes, you can spend thousands or even millions on architectural lighting systems and custom fixtures. But you don’t have to. A few thoughtful choices, a shift in approach, and the right kind of light can transform the way you live in your space. It can make a small apartment feel expansive. It can make a morning routine feel intentional. It can turn a corner of your home into a place you genuinely love to be.

More than anything, I believe your home should feel like yours. Like a place where you can come back to yourself. A place to retreat, to reset, and to feel at ease in your own skin. Sometimes that takes time. Sometimes it takes money. But it’s always worth it.

Most people were never taught how to light a space. They buy a lamp because it’s pretty, or stick with overhead lighting because that’s what came with the place. But light isn’t just decoration. It’s function, mood, and design all at once. It’s one of the most powerful and affordable ways to change not only how a space looks, but how it feels.

This blog is here to demystify it all. Whether you’re in a rental with harsh ceiling fixtures or dreaming up your forever home, there are ways to make lighting work for you. My goal is to share what I’ve learned over the past decade, from theaters to homes to everything in between, so you can start seeing your space in a new light.