D.I.Y. Home Lighting Projects

How To Install a Dimmer Switch
This web page gives detailed instructions and offers pictures and diagrams for a step by step tutorial on installing a dimmer switch for your light fixture. This is perfect for the do-it-yourself home owner. It provides directions in nine steps, as well as a list of tools and materials needed.

Make Your Own Lighting Fixtures or Redo Some of Your Tired Old Fixtures
This site contains several articles on a wide variety of ways to credte your own stylish and imaginative lighting fixtures or to jazz up an old and dull fixture. Articles cover such topics as Easy Lighting Projects which includes discussions of Uplights, Undercabinet Lights, how to spruce up an exisiting lampshade, and other specialty lighting projects, how to make a cheese grater lamp as a speciality kitchen lighting project, how to make a lamp from a bucket, plus a series of helpful articles on a wide range of lighting topics by Christopher Lowell, how to use holiday light strings to make several fun and contemporary lighting projects, a project to make a tall, painted lampshade from several older shades, making a silver leaf lamp shade and general lighting tips from Martha Stewart, and even tips on making a paper punch lampshade. If you've ever wanted to get creative with you table lamps or floor lamps or your kitchen lighting, then this site may just light up your life.

Installing Low-Voltage Outdoor Lighting
An easy-to-read article about outdoor lighting concepts. Low-voltage lighting is discussed, including kits to help people install their own lighting. Step-by-step instructions for installing a GFCI outlet are included, as is information on weatherproofing outdoor lighting fixtures.

"Lighting with Energy and Efficiency in Mind"
Aticle from the Mississippi State University Extension Service focuses on designing interior lighting and home lighting to meet the specific needs in a given area to reduce lighting costs by 30-60% while both enhancing quality and reducing impact on the environment. The facts on incadescent lighting, flourescent lighting, high-intensity discharge (HID) lighting and low-pressure sodium lighting is outlined, along with the basics on using dimmers, occupancy sensors, timers, photo cells or snap switches. Tips on designing a space to make better use of daylight is included, along with instructions for proper maintenance of interior lighting fixtures to improve output.

Maxlite: A Comprehensive Online Shop for Environmentally Friendly Lighting
The leading global manufacturer and marketer of innovative energy efficient lighting solutions. The Maxlite homepage offers a comprehensive line of environmentally friendly lighting products. Distributing to the U.S. as well as internationally, Maxlite offers customers staple environmentally friendly products such as a wide selection of compact fluorescent lamps; linear fluorescent lamps and ballasts; and indoor and outdoor fixtures. In addition to these staple lighting products, Maxline also offers state-of-the-art environmentally friendly lighting options. Maxlite is partnered with government-backed Energy Star, an organization designed to promote environmentally friendly, energy efficient products. The website also includes an online form for immediate quotes on lighting projects.