I went with standard dimmers in my last kitchen flip, mostly because I didn't want to fuss with apps or connectivity issues. Honestly, zero regrets. Like you said, quality switches and compatible bulbs are key—I learned that the hard way after dealing with buzzing lights in a previous project. Now I always double-check compatibility before buying. Smart dimmers seem cool, but for me, simpler usually means fewer headaches down the road.
Have you actually tried smart dimmers recently, though? I'm usually all about keeping things simple too, but I installed a couple of smart switches last year—mostly out of curiosity—and they've been surprisingly trouble-free. No buzzing, no connectivity issues. Maybe the tech has improved since your last experience? I get the appeal of basic dimmers, but sometimes the convenience factor is worth giving smart ones another shot...
I see your point about smart dimmers improving lately, and that's encouraging. But in my experience with older homes, sometimes simpler tech is just more reliable—especially with vintage wiring. I'd still lean toward traditional dimmers for peace of mind...but maybe that's just me being cautious.
Totally get the caution, vintage wiring can be a real wildcard. I remember one house I flipped had these old-school wires wrapped in cloth—gave me pause about adding anything too fancy. But honestly, newer smart dimmers designed specifically for older setups have been surprisingly solid lately...might be worth another look?
"newer smart dimmers designed specifically for older setups have been surprisingly solid lately..."
Interesting, hadn't considered those specialized dimmers yet. Had a similar wiring situation—cloth-covered wires in my grandparents' old place—and ended up sticking with basic LED fixtures out of caution. Maybe I was overly cautious though...anyone tried these smart dimmers long-term?
