skip to main content

Building a Home Electrical Wiring Lighting

What types of devices do you operate at your front door switch?

last year

I wired my front door with three switches, all on the same circuit. One is a two-way switch for interior lights, the next is the porch light, and I terminated a wire from the third switch in an attic gangbox thinking I might want an additional outdoor light, interior light, alarm system.....I just haven't used it. It could go to a switched outlet in the soffit for Christmas lighting. Do you have suggestions for things that are handy to have switched near the front door?

Thanks!

Featured Answer

bpath

last year

My parents’ house has the post lights along the driveway on a timer. At the front door, an override switch can keep them on beyond the shutoff time, or turn them on earlier.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

worthy
last year
last modified: last year
Depends on the size and layout of the home.

Our current one includes a three way switch for the second floor stair lights.

Others have had separate switches for the exterior garage and driveway lights and accent lighting under the second floor soffits.
John 9a thanked worthy
WestCoast Hopeful
last year
We have tons of switches at our front door and I don’t like it lol. We have two panels of four switches. Entry light, closet light, light by bathroom and random switch for landscape lights which we don’t even have is one set. Then front porch recessed lights, garage and soffit lights (on one and I dislike this), front porch sconces, some other porch light. We also have a light switch in closet for Christmas lights as it’s connected to a plug in soffit
John 9a thanked WestCoast Hopeful
Related Discussions
What type of person do you need to be to GC your home?
Q
Comments (50)
dixie I won't stop providing counter arguments as long as there are inflamatory statements made like the ones below - which happen to come from MA in a recent thread. But it wouldn't have mattered who posted them, the response from me would have been the same. I find it disturbing that there is no declaration by MA right up front that he is an architect so that the OP's (especially new posters) know the perspective from which his views are derived. In all of the other forums that I read and post on, this is the norm by true professionals in their respective fields. "I suspect that much of the savings from the use of prepackaged designs and/or incomplete documents is subsequently given to the builder in change orders or noncompetitive cost plus billing. Why are owners so stingy with designers and so generous with builders?" "I think the bottom line is that in addition to a lower hourly fee, a home designer must be providing an abbreviated set of contract documents which inevitably exposes the owner to more risk and therefore more cost. I believe this must account for half or more of the design fee savings." "I can see how these approaches could work for off-the-shelf designs or for spec houses but my practice is for completely custom original designs tailored to the needs of the homeowner's family and the site. A stock plan would be useless even as a starting point and the plans given to me by owners usually just slow down the initial design phase and increase my fee. "
...See More
What type of kitchen do you want, in your new home?
Q
Comments (12)
Our first home had a small opening between the kitchen and family room. There was also enough room in the kitchen for a small table to seat 2. The pros of this arrangment is that the mess in the kitchen was not visible and the noise was somewhat contained. The con was that during parties/gatherings-everyone ended up in the kitchen no matter how much we tried to get them out to hang out in the family room or dining room. The dining room was never used except as a dumping room. The house we rented while building had completely separate rooms. There was not even an eat in space in the kitchen. I hated this arrangment. Everything felt too choppy. It didn't work for a family with a young child. Our new home has one really big room. The cons have been mentioned- the kitchen mess is visible by all. But it has forced me ot be neater. And if designed properply, there are way to contain the mess. Also noise is sometimes a problem if one person is cooking and someone else is trying to watch tv. We almost never watch tv during the day so it's not a frequent problem. Having the dining room between the kitchen and family room creates somewhat of a buffer. The pros-it suites our lifestyle. We are prefer casual living and entertaining. All of our family live out of town and we have lots of people staying with us frequently. It's nice ot able to be together but have space to spread out. Plus I'm a women, but I love th NFL so it's awesome on Sundays.
...See More
Do you have a wreath on your front door?
Q
Comments (32)
If you click the little link next to source under the picture it should take you to the page. LOVE Pinterest. :) But I included it below too. If anyone finds other chimes like this I would love to know. I think it would be nice to hear a pleasant sound upon entering the house in all 4 seasons :) Maybe I am deluding myself and my kids will always just remember the sound of our stupid alarm saying " front garage door", front patio door" Drives me nuts :) Here is a link that might be useful: holly chime
...See More
What type window treatments do you have in your kitchen?
Q
Comments (25)
thanks natal...i didn't realize the kitchen window was only 38"...i thought that one was much wider than the keeping rm's windows! i was wondering if the ease of opening/closing was more difficult than the cords--sounds like it is. i have 3 ~36' windows and one 64" window that i want to get wovens for in bedroom...anticipate that we'll be raising/lowering them fairly often...will probably save the extra$ and just get corded.
...See More
Helen
last year
I have the Lutron system where I can control all my lights through an App on my iphone.

I love it - saves my conscience when I am snug in bed and realize I forgot to turn on a light.

You can also set schedules - even random - so that it looks like someone is home.

Much easier it seems than rewiring your switches

FWIW I live in a high rise so the switch which is accessible by the front door onlly controls the hall that I enter in.
John 9a thanked Helen
rrah
last year
1. Exterior lights at the front door 2. Foyer light 3. Lights above the stairs/hallway
John 9a thanked rrah
John 9a
Original Author
last year
Thanks for all the input! Some of the forums are scarcely visited and it's good to see we have lots of participation here!

I have some of the other lighting mentioned here controlled in other areas...separate garage with its own switches for example...but I think the input is proof the extra switch may be useful, and I'm not at the eight switches stage so I'm also good there :)

Related Stories

HOME TECH Unlock Your Smart Phone's Front-Door Powers

Take your locks and keys into the digital age with 3 solutions that put convenience and new capabilities on your doorstep

COLOR How to Paint Your Front Door, From Start to Finish

By Annie Thornton

Learn what you need to know about this weekend project, such as the best paint to use and the right time to do it

DOORS The Perfect Front Door for Your Entry

By Mitchell Parker

Learn about material and style choices, how to get a front door installed and how much it will cost

HOME TECH Switch On the Phone-Controlled Home

Lock your front door from afar, let your thermostat set itself and more when you use your phone as a control device

KITCHEN CABINETS Learn the Lingo of Kitchen Cabinet Door Styles

By Ventana Construction LLC

Understand door types, materials and cabinet face construction to make the right choice when you shop

GREAT HOME PROJECTS New Hardware Gives Doors a Turn for the Better

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

New project for a new year: Get a handle on how to find the knobs, levers or pulls that will make your doors memorable

LIGHTING What to Know About Switching to LED Lightbulbs

By Karen Egly-Thompson

If you’ve been thinking about changing over to LEDs but aren't sure how to do it and which to buy, this story is for you

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Give Your Driveway and Front Walk More Curb Appeal

By Laura Gaskill

Prevent injuries and tire damage while making a great first impression by replacing or repairing front paths

ENTRYWAYS Organizing Starts at the Door

By Bneato Professional Organizing

You don't need fancy bins and containers to keep your entryway tidy — just a system that sticks

DOORS Let's Walk Through the Latest Door Trends

By Laura Gaskill

The functional feature has been getting a dose of flexibility, creativity and glamorous detail

Sponsored

More Discussions

It's April 2024. How is your build going?

138

What splurges in square footage do you love about your home?

19

Please critique my floorplan

47

What vanity countertop with this shower tile/vanity color?

5

hardie trim match rustic siding or go smooth?

2