Dimmer switches are surprisingly easy to install, usually taking as little as a half an hour, and this simple investment of your time and money can really improve the feel of a room. If you follow these easy steps, you don’t even have to be a home improvement expert to install a dimmer switch. All you need are a few basic supplies—a screwdriver, wirestrippers, a voltage tester, electrical tape, and needlenose pliers—and a dimmer switch kit from your local hardware store. Here’s how it works.


Step 1: Turn off the power to the room. This is of course the first and most important step to any electrical job around the home. If there are other people in your home, be sure to put a piece of tape over the circuit breaker so that no one comes along and flips it.

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