DIY lighting
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Install a motion sensor at the bottom of basement stairs so the light turns on when you reach the third or fourth step.
It is quite handy.
one person who lived it
Avoid using blue light at night.
It affects your sleep.
one person who lived it
Install timed switches on lamps to automate lighting schedules.
One person found this provides light when leaving for work or at dusk, and turns everything off roughly when they go to sleep.
one person who lived it
Use a red bulb nightlight to see without disrupting sleep when returning to bed.
Red light provides enough visibility while acting almost like darkness.
3 people, independently
Use colored lights for cheap and effective vibe control.
They are very cheap and go incredibly hard for vibe control.
one person who lived it
If you cannot change the light fixture, switch the color of the light bulb to alter the look of the room.
Changing the bulb color changes the way the room looks.
one person who lived it
Place small accent lights, such as salt lamps, in a room to create a relaxing glow.
They provide a relaxing glow.
one person who lived it
Swap the dimmer switch from a bathroom vent fan to the ceiling light.
Vent fans rarely need dimming, but it is an easy conversion.
one person who lived it
Use wireless plugs with remotes to control lamps from a distance.
It avoids the need to walk over and manually turn each lamp on or find small knobs.
one person who lived it
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Switch off main office lights and switch on holiday or fairy lights on walls and bookshelves in the evening to change the atmosphere.
It really changes the space.
one person who lived it
Verify that you have a neutral wire in the switch box before installing modern motion sensors.
These devices will only work if a neutral wire is present.
one person who lived it
Try lighting candles and using essential oil diffusers to help with mood or SAD symptoms.
One person reported this helped them.
one person who lived it
Use lava lamps in the evening for a soothing visual effect.
They provide a soothing experience.
one person who lived it
Use incandescent bulbs with motion-sensor switches instead of fluorescent bulbs.
Many motion sensing switches do not work well with fluorescent bulbs or burn them out quickly.
one person who lived it