"My only worry is my dog—he chews everything remotely interesting"
Haha, totally get the dog issue. Honestly though, switches are way more practical long-term, especially if you're dealing with older wiring like mine. Ever thought about dimmers for the deck lights instead? Gives you flexibility without the chew-risk...
"Ever thought about dimmers for the deck lights instead? Gives you flexibility without the chew-risk..."
Dimmers are a solid idea, but honestly, if your pup's anything like mine, he'll find something else to chew anyway...mine once gnawed through a garden hose just because it was there. 🙄 Personally, I've found smart switches way less hassle outdoors—no bulbs to replace constantly, especially in tricky-to-reach spots. Plus, switches tend to handle weather better long-term. Just my two cents from dealing with similar setups.
Dimmers could definitely work, but I get what you're saying about pups finding new targets—mine once decided the sprinkler heads were chew toys, so I feel your pain. Smart switches outdoors have been pretty reliable for me too, especially since my lights are mounted high up on an old brick wall (historic house quirks...). Less climbing ladders to swap bulbs is always a win in my book. Either way, sounds like you're on the right track!
Smart switches have been solid for me too, especially outdoors. I tried smart bulbs first, but moisture and temperature swings shortened their lifespan noticeably. Switched to weatherproof smart switches controlling standard LED fixtures, and it's been smooth sailing since. Plus, replacing a regular bulb is way cheaper and easier than hunting down specialty smart bulbs every time one goes out. Learned that the hard way after a few ladder climbs in the rain...
Totally agree with you on the smart switches—especially outdoors. I remember setting up a client's backyard lighting for a garden party once. We initially went with smart bulbs because they wanted color-changing options for ambiance. Looked amazing at first, but after a few months of rainstorms and temperature swings, bulbs started flickering or just dying completely. Not exactly the magical garden vibe we were going for...
Eventually, we switched to weatherproof smart switches paired with standard LED string lights and fixtures. It was a game changer. Not only did it hold up better in unpredictable weather, but it also gave us more flexibility in fixture choices—like vintage-style bulbs or subtle pathway lighting—that weren't available as smart bulbs. Plus, swapping out a regular bulb is way less hassle (and cheaper!) than tracking down specialty replacements.
Sometimes simpler really is better, even when you're aiming for something creative and unique.