Easy Fix: Level up your home's lighting with simple dimmer DIY

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Here's an Easy Fix that will instantly change the energy of a room in your house.

Swapping a standard toggle for a dimmer switch can be super easy and empowering - no electrician needed.

"I know electrical can sometimes sound scary, but I promise this is a project that any homeowner can do," says Casey Finn of The DIY Playbook.

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Toolkit

-A new dimmer switch

-A Phillips head screwdriver

-A flat head screwdriver

Step-by-Step Breakdown

The most critical step happens before you ever touch a screwdriver. "We have to turn off the power so we stay safe," Finn emphasizes. Once the power is cut at the breaker box, the process moves quickly:

Remove the Faceplate: Use the flat head screwdriver to reveal the internal wiring.

Document the Setup: Before disconnecting anything, take a photo. "Make sure you always take a picture of what the wiring looks like now," Finn suggests. "Just so you have it in case we need to start all the way back at step one."

Identify Your Wires: Distinguish between your "hot" and "neutral" wires. In this case, Tanja's hot wire is the black wire and the orange wire is the neutral. But as Tanja noted, the black wire was partially painted over white at some point.

Install the Dimmer: Secure the wires into the new switch-typically threading the hot wire under the gold plate and tightening the screws to hold it in place.

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The Moment of Truth

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fter tucking the wires back in and securing the switch, it's time to head back to the breaker. The result? A professional-looking upgrade completed in under 30 minutes.

"I feel empowered!" Tanja says after successfully testing the new sliding switch.

"You should! We didn't need to hire a professional for that," Finn adds. "You saved a lot of money doing this yourself."

Pro Tip: Always check your light bulb packaging to ensure they are "dimmable" before installing your new switch, especially if you are using LEDs.