Lighting How To & DIY
Improve the value of your home by discovering our lighting step-by-step tips & ideas.
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Front Porch Lights: From A to Z
More than just a beacon leading to the front door, exterior lighting helps define the look of a house. With planning and a bit of math, you can put your home's best face forward.
How to Install Outdoor String Lights With Easy to Follow Steps
Master electrician Heath Eastman helps a homeowner make her backyard space charming and cozy with a simple lighting upgrade.
How To Make Mason Jar Patio Lights
These charming lanterns brighten an evening get-together, and they're a cinch to make from supplies you can pick up at the home center.
How to Install a Wall Sconce
Adding a wall-mounted light fixture in the living room, bedroom, or bathroom is a very achievable project. These pro tips and tools will shed light on the simplest way to install a wall sconce.
How to Move a Light Fixture
Master electrician Heath Eastman helps a homeowner with an askew light fixture, centering it over their dining room table.
Light Bulb Buying Guide: Types, Wattage, Lumens & More
The light bulbs in your home affect its comfort, functionality, and energy efficiency. Learn which light bulbs are best for your usage.
Updating a Push-Button Light Switch
Our guide shows you how to replace an antique push-button light switch without loosing your home's vintage charm.
How to Make a DIY Solar Lantern
A solar lantern is the perfect way to add a little ambiance without the hassle of expensive hard-wired lighting. Follow these directions to learn how to make your own DIY solar lantern for less than $15.
How To Control Smart Lighting
Ask This Old House home technology expert Ross Trethewey tests out some new smart lighting configurations.
How to Insulate Around Recessed LED Fixtures
Scott Caron offers advice on how to keep your home energy-efficient when using recessed lights
Are Smart Bulbs the Answer to Your Sleep Problems?
Artificial light has a negative impact on sleeping habits. Here's a solution that might help
How To Switch Basement Lighting
Ask This Old House master electrician Scott Caron shows how to simplify your basement lighting system with one switch.
How to Wire for a New Ceiling Light
Ask This Old House electrician Scott Caron installs a new switch and ceiling fixture for a homeowner
5 Creative Design Ideas for Outdoor Lighting
Achieve a magical look in your yard with these nightscaping suggestions
How To Install Undercabinet LED Lighting
Make your kitchen more functional and attractive with easy-to-install LED lights. This guide will walk you through the process step by step.
How To Add Overhead Lighting to a Bedroom
Need to brighten up a dark bedroom? Our guide walks you through adding new overhead lighting to enhance your room's atmosphere.
How To Install Cable Lighting in 6 Simple to Follow Steps
Watch as Ask This Old House master electrician Scott Caron replaces a track lighting setup with cable lighting in a new baby’s nursery.
How To Install a Motorized Light Lift in Your Home
Light lifts make dusting and changing bulbs for high-mounted fixtures safer and easier. Learn how to install one from a master electrician.
How To Install Surface-Mounted Downlights
Ask This Old House master electrician Scott Caron helps a homeowner improve his living room with surface-mounted downlights.
How To Install Ultra-Thin Exterior Lighting in 4 Simple Steps
Watch Ask This Old House master electrician Scott Caron install ultra-thin recessed LED lights on a garage to replace a broken floodlight.
Articulating Library Lights
Use hardworking sconces to illuminate a reading nook, sink wall, fireplace mantel, or any other place you want to brighten in style
How to Install Under-Cabinet Lighting and Power
Watch as electrician Scott Caron helps a homeowner upgrade her kitchen cabinets with new LED lights and electrical outlets.
Adding the Perfect Mood Lighting to Your Deck: A Guide
Use energy-efficient LEDs to cast a warm glow on the deck, stairs, and trees, and you can extend the party (safely) into the night.
How To Understand the Lighting Facts Label
Scott Caron, master electrician for Ask This Old House, helps you decipher the information on a lightbulb label.
How To Install Fiesta String Lights
Ask This Old House master electrician Scott Caron helps a homeowner install fiesta string lights to get the party started in Texas.
Everything You Need to Know to Install an Overhead Light
An overhead light fixture can transform a dark room. Follow along as expert Scott Caron helps a homeowner install a dining room chandelier.
How To Install an Antique Light Fixture With Simple to Follow Steps
Watch as Scott Caron, master electrician for Ask This Old House, installs an antique light fixture in a historic St. Paul, MN, home.
How To Install a Wall Sconce and Recessed Lights
This Old House master electrician Scott Caron installs an outdoor wall sconce and recessed lights at an old church that's now a house.
How To Replace a Post Light
Swap out your old post light for a new one and add an astronomical timer by following our guide and watching our video featuring Scott Caron.
How To Use LED Lighting To Make Your Home Shine
Electrician Scott Caron shares new technologies and applications for how to use LED lighting all around your house.
How to Add Automatic Lighting to a Closet
Lighting expert Scott Caron shows a homeowner how to brighten up a dark closet and never have to flip on a light switch
How to Convert a Kerosene Lantern into a Lamp
Learn from master electrician Scott Caron how to bring a kerosene lantern into the 21st century with modern electrical components.
How To Add Task Lighting to a Kitchen
Task lighting can transform your kitchen from a gloomy space to one flooded with light. Find out how to install task lighting here.