Systematic dimmers on the main lighting

A bulb without a dimmer has two states: on or off. A bulb on a dimmer has an infinite number: from 0 to 100% intensity. This simple difference radically changes how a room can be used.

During the day, you want bright light to read, work, entertain. In the evening, you want dimmed light for dinner, watching a film, relaxing. Without a dimmer, you have to switch off certain sources to achieve the desired atmosphere, which creates abrupt dark zones. With a dimmer, you lower everything harmoniously, and the room remains readable while becoming intimate.

The cost is negligible (£20 to £40 per dimmer, self-installable), the effect is substantial. It is probably the most cost-effective improvement in all of interior design.

Where to install a dimmer. On the general source of all living spaces: living room, dining room, bedroom, kitchen (general pendant, not the worktop), study, entrance. Not essential in the bathroom, hallway or utility room.

How to choose the right dimmer. Three criteria.

LED compatible. Many older dimmers are designed for halogens and create audible buzzing or flickering on LEDs. Check for "LED compatible" on the box. Reliable brands: Legrand, Schneider, Varilight.

Adapted power. A dimmer handles a minimum wattage (often 5 W) and a maximum (often 250 W). If you have a single 6 W LED bulb, check you are above the minimum, otherwise the bulb will flicker.

Switch type. Rotary dimmer (most classic), slider dimmer, touch dimmer, smart dimmer. Rotary remains the most intuitive and reliable. Smart dimmers (Hue, Lutron Caséta) allow programmed scenes via smartphone, interesting for automation enthusiasts.

Important on bulbs. Not all LEDs are dimmable. Check for "dimmable" on the bulb box before installing it on a dimmer. A non-dimmable LED connected to a dimmer will flicker, buzz or refuse to light below a certain threshold.

Tip. Create three mental "scenes" for each room: 100% for reception and active mornings. 50-60% for everyday use. 20-30% for intimate evenings. You will adapt intensity automatically, without thinking about it.

Pierre Yovanovitch and Joseph Dirand almost systematically integrate Lutron systems in their prestige projects. Lutron Caséta allows full scenes to be programmed (all lights drop to 30% in the evening, rise to 80% for a dinner, etc.) from a single switch or smartphone. Higher cost, but transformed user experience.

A less well-known technique: double dimmers in multi-function rooms. A general ceiling source with one dimmer, plus an ambient source (LED strip) with a separate dimmer. By combining the two curves, you obtain an infinite range of settings.

Smart dimmers (Philips Hue, Aqara, Tradfri) now allow colour temperature to be modulated in addition to intensity. In the morning: 4000 K at 100% to wake up. In the evening: 2400 K at 20% to wind down. It is the most interesting development of the past decade in residential lighting.