As we head into darker, shorter days here in New York, NY, many people are seeking more ways to bring light into their homes. Smart lighting control lets users customize the color temperature and brightness of their lighting fixtures, automating bulbs to mimic the sunrise and sunset, and even control when lights are on to save energy. 

There are countless benefits to smart lighting, but there’s one question that remains unclear for many homeowners: should I install this myself or hire a professional? 

Online and in stores, you’ll find DIY off-the-shelf smart bulbs that connect to your phone over Wi-Fi. In some cases, that’s a fine option. But if you want a fully integrated home with more customization and automation options, a professional smart lighting installation is your best bet. 

If you’re unsure what you really need for your New York home, we share below what your expectations can be for both a DIY and professional lighting system. 

For a better life, you need better home lighting!

That may sound like an exaggeration—but think about it. What do people supposedly see when they’re about to enter the heavenly gates? Light. What’s at the end of the tunnel? Light. And when life has got us down, what do we tell ourselves? The sun will come out tomorrow.

Humans need light to feel energized, happy, and productive. Yet, most of us spend a majority of our time indoors. If your New York home doesn’t have ample sunlight, you could be inadvertently hindering your wellbeing. Even if you have large windows, at night, you need atmospheric lighting to create a comfortable mood before bed.

When most houses are built, only the lighting layout is considered, as in, where lights will be installed. But a layout doesn’t address how it will look and feel to live under those lights. A lighting design with smart lighting control can help your home in New York, NY, achieve the perfect mood all day long.

In the past year, we’ve seen smart lighting attract more and more New Yorkers—perhaps due to abundant time spent at home. If you’ve dipped into smart lighting control at all, then you’ve seen how addicting it is. Once you are able to customize the color and brightness of one lightbulb, you’ll want your entire home’s lights to be tunable, too. 

With a smart lighting system, you can adjust your lightsinstantly from a smartphone app or create a schedule for LEDs to turn on and shift colors automatically. The high-definition color palette lets you drench your home in color, pinpointing the exact shade you want. Plus, motion sensors can help control when lights are on, illuminating rooms only when you need. 

But maybe you’re wondering, ‘Why would I use that? My regular lightbulbs are fine!’ That’s a common question we hear, and we understand the confusion. Read on to see when tunable smart lightingis not only funbut also can improve your health and safety in your New York, NY, home.