Today’s modern floor plan is very open, which means your lighting should be cohesive throughout the home in both style and light quality. Do you prefer cool lighting or warm lighting? If you prefer one to the other, make sure the bulbs you select for your home lighting give the same light temperature.

The lights in the entry of your home should welcome guests as well as adequately illuminate the space. If your entrance has high ceilings, consider installing an elegant chandelier. If you have a single-story foyer, try adding a lighting fixture that sits flush or almost flush with the ceiling. Pair it with two wall sconces on either side of the front door.

Light adds visual interest to an area. When deciding on how you plan to light your space, consider these three lighting layers.

Dimmer switches add variety when lighting your room. Dimmer switches can be a great addition to your dining room, which can serve as a place for the kids to work on homework during the day and a gathering place for dinner parties in the evening. The dimmer switch allows you the versatility you need to have that bright light for the kids and a softer, subdued lighting for the grownups.

If you notice your kitchen is a bit dark, or you simply want to add more visual interest to your home, adding counter lighting is a great solution for this. Not only does it provide visual interest, but it also provides ample light for kitchen counter tasks.

Anyone who has ever tried to plug in an appliance only to find that it wouldn’t turn on is familiar with how frustrating electrical outlet wiring problems can be. The whole purpose of having outlets is the convenience, but that goes right out the window when they stop working without warning. Although a dead outlet might automatically seem like a big problem, sometimes it can be due to a simple issue. This isn’t always the case, of course — sometimes there will be electrical outlet wiring problems that can only be addressed by a professional, particularly when the issue is with your outlet’s wiring.

You might be able to save yourself a call to an electrician if your outlet problem is something easily fixed. You can even resolve some minor issues without the use of tools! If you know what steps to take, you may be able to figure out if the dead outlet is something you can remedy yourself. If you discover the problem is something that should be handled by a professional, don’t take any chances. Messing around with wiring can put you in danger and damage your electrical system instead of making the problem go away.

A simple issue can quickly turn into a very expensive one if you aren’t careful. Here are some easy things to try that won’t put you in any danger: