Dimmable Lighting
Lighting guide
How to set up dimmable lighting — a simple guide for everyone
No technical knowledge needed. Just a lampshade, the right bulb, and a dimmer.
Dimmable lighting lets you control how bright a room is — from full brightness for reading, down to a warm soft glow for evenings. This guide explains exactly what you need, with no confusing jargon.
What does “dimmable” actually mean?
Standard lights are simply on or off. Dimmable lights let you slide between full brightness and a gentle low glow — giving you full control of the mood in any room. You need just two things to make this work: a dimmable lightbulb and a way to control the level of light — either a dimmer switch on the wall or a remote-controlled dimmer.
How do you control the brightness?
Wall dimmer switch
Replaces your regular light switch. A slider or dial on the wall lets you adjust brightness. Requires a small amount of electrical wiring — an electrician can do this in under an hour.
Remote-controlled dimmer
A small plug-in unit you put between the socket and the cord. No wiring needed. Control brightness from your sofa with a remote or smartphone app. Perfect for plug-in lamps.
Important: A dimmer switch alone is not enough. You must also use a lightbulb that is specifically marked as “dimmable” — standard bulbs will flicker, buzz, or break when used with a dimmer.
Which lightbulbs work with dimmers?
Always look for the word “dimmable” on the packaging. These are your three main choices:
✓ Best choice
LED dimmable
Energy-saving, long-lasting, widely available. Look for “dimmable LED” on the box.
✓ Works well
Filament / Edison
Warm, vintage look. Usually dimmable by nature. Ideal for decorative lampshades.
✓ Works well
Halogen
All halogen bulbs are dimmable. Brighter and warmer than standard LEDs.
Avoid: CFL bulbs (the curly energy-savers) — most are not dimmable and will hum or fail. Always read the label before buying.
Going one step further — smart lightbulbs
Modern option
Control your light from your phone — no dimmer needed
Smart bulbs are a brilliant modern alternative. They screw into a standard lamp fitting just like any ordinary bulb — but instead of needing a separate dimmer switch or remote unit, you control everything through a free app on your phone. Brightness, warmth of light, schedules, even colour — all from your sofa, or from anywhere in the world.
Phone app control
Adjust brightness and light warmth from an app. Works over your home Wi-Fi — no extra hardware needed for most models.
Voice control
Works with Alexa, Google Home, and Siri. Say “dim the light to 30%” and it just happens.
Schedules and scenes
Set the light to gradually dim at bedtime, or switch on automatically at sunset — all through the app.
No rewiring at all
Your regular wall switch stays as-is. The bulb itself is the smart part — just screw it in and connect to the app.
Popular and easy-to-find brands include:
Philips Hue
IKEA Trådfri
TP-Link Tapo
Govee
Amazon Sengled
IKEA Trådfri
TP-Link Tapo
Govee
Amazon Sengled
All of these are widely available online and in high-street stores. Prices start from just a few pounds or euros for basic dimmable smart bulbs, making this the easiest upgrade you can make to any lamp.
Good to know: Smart bulbs work best when the wall switch is left permanently switched on — the bulb needs a constant power supply so the app can always reach it. A small sticky label on the switch reminding people not to turn it off is a handy trick many people use.
Our lampshade kits — what’s included
Our handmade printed lampshades come with everything you need to hang or place your light. You simply choose the setup that suits your space:
Option 1 — ceiling pendant
Ceiling canopy kit with woven cable
Includes a ceiling canopy (the cap that sits against the ceiling), a length of fabric-covered cable, and a bulb fitting. You hang it from the ceiling — the canopy hides the fixing point neatly. Use with a wall dimmer switch, a remote dimmer unit, or simply a smart bulb. A bulb is not included but can be purchased from any hardware or home store — just ask for a dimmable LED or a smart bulb in your preferred warmth (we recommend “warm white”, 2700K).
Option 2 — freestanding or table lamp
Plug-in cord with inline switch
Includes a 1-metre fabric cable, a plug at one end, an on/off switch on the cord, and a bulb fitting at the other end. Simply plug it in — no installation needed. For dimming, pair with a remote-controlled plug-in dimmer, or simply use a smart bulb and control it entirely from your phone. A bulb is not included — same advice applies: dimmable LED or smart bulb, warm white.
Quick checklist before you buy
✓A lampshade and fitting kit (ceiling or plug-in)
✓A bulb labelled “dimmable” — or a smart bulb
✓A wall dimmer, plug-in dimmer, or smart bulb app
✓For wall dimmers only — an electrician to fit it safely