
Mood is a key component in establishing any setting, and the rooms in your home should have the ultimate mood-swings - made easy with the installation of a dimmer switch. When overhead lighting is too direct and lamplight is not direct enough, dimmer switches make finding the proper illumination a snap with their turning knobs, sliding levers, or, in luxe versions, touchpads.
Dimmer switches work by quickly turning a light circuit on and off to diminish energy flow, which is why it's best to spring for a higher quality dimmer switch. The interrupted flow of energy along a light's electrical current can cause light bulbs to buzz, though well-crafted dimmer switches generally include an inductor choke and interference capacitor to keep your lights quiet.
Most dimmer switches are easy to install yourself; simply make sure your circuits are off and follow the instructions that come with the switch.