the novelty wore off fast. Now I stick to dimmable LEDs and basic under-cabinet strips. Clean, simple, and way less drama when something breaks.
You’re speaking my language. My 1920s kitchen practically revolted when I tried “smart” anything—Alexa nearly started a mutiny with the toaster. Dimmable LEDs are the unsung heroes. Sometimes, old-school just works better... and you don’t need a PhD to change a bulb.
I get the appeal of keeping it simple, but I’ve actually had good luck with smart switches—way less finicky than bulbs or hubs. If you wire them right, you can still use regular bulbs and just get the convenience upgrade. Not for everyone, but worth considering if you’re already opening up walls.
If you wire them right, you can still use regular bulbs and just get the convenience upgrade.
I hear you on the smart switches—definitely a cleaner look than a bunch of smart bulbs, and you don’t have to worry about someone flipping the switch and killing your automation. But honestly, I’ve seen a few headaches with them too, especially in older homes where the wiring isn’t always straightforward. Not every box has a neutral wire, and sometimes folks end up tearing up more wall than they planned just to get things working.
Personally, I still lean toward sticking with good quality dimmers and standard LEDs for kitchens, unless there’s a real need for automation. Less to go wrong, and if something does, it’s usually a quick swap. Plus, if you ever sell, nobody’s left scratching their head over how to turn on the lights.
That said, if you’re already opening up walls and running new wire, then yeah, it’s a good time to consider smart switches or even adding extra circuits for under-cabinet or accent lighting. Just wouldn’t call it a must-have for everyone. Sometimes simple is just... easier to live with.
Yeah, I get that. I’d rather not rip into walls just to add “smart” features that might break or get outdated. I’m all about simple and cheap—dimmers and decent LEDs do the trick for me. Has anyone actually saved money long-term with smart switches, or is it mostly for convenience?
I hear you on not wanting to tear into walls, but honestly, I’ve put in a few smart switches during remodels and they’re not as much hassle as folks think. If you’re already swapping out boxes or running new wire, it’s barely extra work. As for saving money, yeah, the energy savings are minor—but I’ve noticed the real win is automation. I set mine to turn off everything at midnight, and I swear my electric bill dropped a bit, just from not leaving lights on all night. Plus, being able to tweak the lighting from my phone while I’m elbow-deep in a project is just plain handy. I get the appeal of simple, but sometimes the convenience is worth the upfront fuss.
