5 Easy Lighting Fixes for Shorter Days

The clocks went back on Sunday, and suddenly it’s dark while you’re still deciding what to make for dinner. Shorter days make our homes feel different, and the places we cross without thinking in daylight can feel dim or risky after sunset. 

The good news is that lighting is one of the quickest, cheapest upgrades in your home. Here are five trouble spots to check this week.

1. The Front Door and Walkway

Coming home in the dark and fumbling for your keys or the lock is not ideal.

• Swap in a brighter bulb in your porch fixture, or try a dusk-to-dawn LED bulb that turns on and off by itself.
• Add motion sensor lights if the path to your door is long or uneven.
• Keep house numbers visible and lit so guests and deliveries find you.

2. The Path to the Bathroom at Night

A dark hallway at 2 a.m. is where most of us stub a toe or worse.

• Plug in a few motion-sensor night lights along the route, so you never need to flip a bright switch.
• Choose warm white so your eyes stay sleepy.
• Clear the floor along the path while you’re at it.

3. The Stairs

Stairs with dim light or a switch at only one end are a hassle

• Make sure there’s a switch at both the top and bottom, or add a series of adhesive motion sensor stair lights.
• Use the brightest bulb the fixture allows.
• Keep the steps themselves clear, so nothing waits there to trip you up.

4. Your Favorite Chair

Reading, knitting, or puzzles in a room lit by one far-off ceiling fixture will strain your eyes.

• Put a rechargeable lamp right over the puzzle or next to your chair for directed light. (These are great on the patio too!)
• Look for a bulb labeled “daylight” for reading and hobbies, and “soft white” for relaxing spaces.
• This Energy Star Guide can help you choose and save money too.

5. The Burnt Out Bulb Problem

Half the house has a bulb that’s gone dim or dark, and nobody remembers which type it takes.

• Walk through every room this week, flip every switch, and replace what’s burnt out.
• Set up a “bulb station” with your spares sorted by type and wattage
• Jot the bulb type on a sticky note under each lamp base so you never have to guess again.

One Bonus Safety Check

While you’re up on the stepladder, test your smoke alarms and replace the batteries if it’s been a while. Remember, if it's been more than a decade, it may be time to replace the smoke alarm, as they don't last forever!

A well-lit home feels cozier and keeps you safer this winter. Pick the spot that worries you most and fix it this week.

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