Call it a baby step, but we’ve officially completed our first nursery project. Yes, that was a pun.
The room has had a dimmer switch since its days as a dining room, but during the time we’ve lived here it never actually dimmed. It only switched fully on or fully off. Since we expect to tiptoe into a sleeping baby’s room at night, finding a setting between blinding brightness and total darkness seemed like a simple but useful improvement.
Thanks to a helpful tip from the True Value DIY Blog Squad, we fixed the issue easily. All it took was a $14 replacement slide dimmer and some basic electrical know-how. Replacing a single switch doesn’t require an electrical engineering degree—just care and attention.
Our approach to most electrical projects is straightforward: we carefully observe how the existing fixture is wired, then recreate those connections with the new component. Whether the job is replacing a light fixture, a ceiling fan, or a switch, we match wires to wires and make secure connections. And because we’re paranoid about shocking ourselves (understandably), we always turn off the main breaker to the entire house before starting. When it comes to electricity, you can’t be too careful.
The first step was removing the old switch. That involved removing the switchplate cover with a screwdriver and gently pulling the switch body out of the wall box—being careful not to tug too hard and disturb the wiring.
What we found was a worn-out switch with a few loose connections; some wire connections separated as soon as we lifted the switch away from the wall. That could explain why the dimmer never worked properly. The old switch also lacked a green grounding wire. Fortunately, most new switches include a grounding connector, which adds an extra layer of safety.
After loosening the old wire caps, we connected the new dimmer’s wires to match the original setup. We hoped the problem was simply the switch and not a larger wiring issue—something a new $14 dimmer wouldn’t fix. With the wires matched, we secured each connection with new wire nuts and wrapped black electrical tape around them to cover any exposed stripped wire. Those stripped ends are the live parts, so the extra tape helps keep everything safely insulated and out of reach.
Before restoring power, we reinstalled the switch in the wall and fastened it in place. That way we weren’t holding the switch while flipping the breaker back on.
Luckily it worked. The new slide dimmer provided a full range of brightness from off to full on, giving us plenty of middle-ground settings that are perfect for late-night checks on a sleeping baby. The dimmer also has a subtle red locator light that glows when the fixture is off, which makes finding the switch in the dark much easier.
If the replacement hadn’t fixed the problem, the dimmer included troubleshooting instructions, and there’s always online research to consult. But this time the job was quick and successful: about 15 minutes of work, a $14 dimmer, and a good reason to finally replace a faulty switch.
What about you? Have you knocked out any small home projects lately—electrical or otherwise—or is there a simple task you’ve been postponing that might finally get done this weekend? Small projects often sit at the bottom of the list, but they can make a big difference once completed.
Psst — beyond turning off the power to your entire house every time, electrical work calls for extra safety precautions. It’s wise to tackle your first few projects with someone experienced (for us, having John’s dad around for a couple of light-fixture switch-outs taught us the ropes). A new fixture or switch is great, but not worth a trip to the emergency room. Safety first!