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They say it is better to give than to receive. Well, we say why not do both? Give yourself an updated home this holiday season and you will receive more compliments than Santa Claus could ever hope to fit in his sleigh. And we hear that man can hold quite a bit in that magical bag o’ tricks of his.
Home Lighting Upgrades to Make Before the Holidays
November and December are busy months for most houses. There’s Thanksgiving dinner, family staying over, and a lot more time spent indoors. It also gets dark before 5 o’clock, which is when you start to notice the dim kitchen, the hallway with a single bulb, or the front steps you can barely see when you get home from work.
If you’ve been meaning to update your lighting, fall is a good time to do it. The work is finished before the house fills up, and you get to enjoy it through the long winter evenings. Here are a few upgrades worth looking at this year.
Switch to LED Recessed Lighting
Recessed lights spread even light across a room without anything hanging down from the ceiling. The newer LED versions, often called canless or wafer lights, are only about half an inch thick. They fit in spots where the old metal cans wouldn’t, and most are rated to sit in contact with insulation.
Many of these fixtures have a small side switch that sets the light color. For living rooms and bedrooms, 2700K or 3000K gives you a warm glow. Kitchens and laundry rooms can go a little cooler. Whatever you choose, put the lights on a dimmer. Most people notice the difference first: bright light for cooking and cleanup, and lower light for dinner. You can see more on our recessed lighting page.
Add Under Cabinet Lighting in the Kitchen
No matter how big the house is, holiday guests end up in the kitchen. Ceiling lights sit behind you when you’re standing at the counter, so your own shadow falls right where you’re cutting and measuring. LED strips or puck lights mounted under the upper cabinets light the counter. Hardwired lights on a wall switch look cleaner than plug-in kits, with no cords hanging down and no outlets taken up. Learn more about under-cabinet lighting.
Put Your Lights on Smart Controls
Smart dimmers and switches that let you set schedules, control lights from your phone, and create one-touch scenes are a game changer. A “dinner” setting can dim the dining room and brighten the kitchen at the same time. If you travel over the holidays, you can have lights turn on and off in the evening so the house doesn’t sit dark for a week.
Older homes sometimes don’t have the neutral wire that many smart switches need. Lutron Caseta dimmers usually work without one, which is one reason we install them often.
Reverse Your Ceiling Fans for Winter
This one costs nothing: Warm air rises and collects at the ceiling, especially in rooms with high ceilings. Set your fan to spin clockwise on its lowest speed, and it will push that warm air back down along the walls without creating a draft. Most fans have a switch on the motor housing itself, and newer fans change direction from the remote.
If your fans wobble, hum, or only have one speed that works, it may be time to replace them. DC-motor fans run quieter and use less power than older models. Explore our ceiling fan installation services.
Light Up the Outside of Your House
With the sun going down so early, outdoor lighting is about more than looks. Low-voltage landscape lighting along the front walk and steps helps guests find their way in, especially in icy conditions. Motion-activated flood lights over the driveway and garage make it easier to carry in groceries after dark and give would-be intruders a reason to move on. Put outdoor lights on a photocell or timer so they come on at dusk without anyone flipping a switch.
Make Holiday Decorating Easier
If running extension cords across the yard every December has gotten old, a few changes can help. An electrician can add GFCI-protected outdoor outlets where you decorate, or install switched outlets under the eaves so you can turn on roofline lights from an indoor switch. Permanent LED roofline lights are another option. You set the colors from an app, so they work for Christmas, Halloween, and the Fourth of July, and stay up year-round. For safety tips on outdoor decorations, see our post on Halloween lighting safety.
Lighting Upgrade FAQs
Which way should my ceiling fan spin in the winter?
Clockwise, on the lowest speed. Looking up at the fan, the blades should turn to the right. That gently pulls air up and pushes the warm air back down the walls without creating a breeze you can feel. Most fans have a small switch on the housing, and newer ones change direction from the remote.
How long does it take to install recessed lighting?
For most single rooms, the work takes a day. It depends on what is above the ceiling. A room with open attic space above it goes faster than a first-floor room with a finished second floor overhead, where the wire has to be fished between joists.
Can I add recessed lights without tearing open my ceiling?
Usually, yes. Canless LED fixtures go in through a small round hole cut for each light, and the electrician runs wire between those holes. You will not need to remove large sections of drywall, though you may need a small patch if a joist is in the way.
What color temperature is best for a living room or bedroom?
Most people like 2700K or 3000K in living spaces. It gives off a warm, soft light close to an old incandescent bulb. Kitchens, laundry rooms, and garages can go a little cooler, around 3500K to 4000K. Many new LED fixtures have a side switch so that you can pick the color temperature after installation.
Do smart light switches need new wiring?
Not always. Many smart switches need a neutral wire in the switch box, which many older Maryland homes do not have. Lutron Caseta dimmers are one option that works without a neutral in most cases. An electrician can open the box and tell you which products will work with your wiring.
Are LED lights worth the cost?
In most cases, yes. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, residential LEDs use up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last much longer. You also spend less time on a ladder changing bulbs in high ceilings.
Will adding new lights overload my electrical panel?
LED lighting draws very little power, so a few new fixtures rarely cause a problem on their own. The bigger concern is an older or full panel in a home that has also added things like space heaters, a hot tub, or an EV charger. If your breakers trip often, have an electrician check the panel before you add more circuits.
How far ahead should I schedule lighting work before the holidays?
If you want the work done before Thanksgiving, call in October or early November. Electricians get busier as the holidays approach, and you will want a little time to live with the new lighting before guests arrive.
Get Your Home Ready for the Holidays With TriStar Electric
If you’d like any of this done before the holidays, now is the time to call. TriStar Electric’s licensed electricians install recessed and under-cabinet lighting, smart controls, ceiling fans, and outdoor lighting for homes across the area. We’ll look at your space, talk through what you want, and give you a clear price before any work starts.
We offer free in-home consultations, plus an after-hours and emergency line for advice or service. Call 410-799-5791 or 301-384-8880, or schedule an appointment online. TriStar Electric serves homeowners and businesses across Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia.
