Where do you want the light switches?

Choosing where you want your light switches is not too complicated, but it is very easy to forget to plan ahead. You can end up living with the results for years after making a decision too quickly based only on what was there before or what your electrician suggests on the day!

General guidelines

• Place the switch on the inside wall of the room you are entering, close to the doorway (except for bathrooms, those are outside and for good reason!)
• Position it on the opening side of the door, so the door does not block access when opened
• 150mm from the door frame to the switch plate as a rule of thumb
• Switches are installed no higher than 1200mm from the floor, in line with accessibility guidance
• Put different types of lighting on separate switches so you can control the mood / function of the room

Understanding light switch terminology

When you start choosing actual switches to buy (fun!), the wording can be confusing if you have not come across it before.

Gang simply means the number of switches on one plate.

• 1 Gang = one switch
• 2 Gang = two switches

Two-way and intermediate describes how many locations can control the same light.

• Two-way switching allows one light to be controlled from two different places, like the top and bottom of a staircase
• Intermediate switches are used when a light needs to be controlled from three or more locations, usually in long hallways or large open spaces

Tricky spots

Hallways and entrances

• When you get in through the main door of your home, you should be able to reach a light switch immediately
• If the staircase is set back or the hallway is large, a second switch at the bottom of the stairs can control the same lighting
• Two-way switching between downstairs and upstairs so you are not walking in the dark

Double doors

If the doors open inwards, the light switch is usually better outside the room, positioned on the side that will not be hidden behind the open door.

You need to be able to reach the switch without walking into a dark room or reaching around one of the doors!

Through rooms and open plan spaces

In open / broken plan spaces you pass through different areas to reach somewhere else, so where to place your light switches becomes less obvious.

Think about:

• Multiple switch points so lights can be turned on and off from either end of the space
• Separate switches for different zones, such as dining, seating or circulation areas

Bedrooms

When planning your bedroom' switches and sockets, you can take a lot of inspiration from good hotel room design. So you'll want the main switch by the doorway, as usual, then to think about:

• An additional switch beside the bed so that a light can be turned off without getting up (or fumbling around in the dark for the lamp switch)
• Separating the main ceiling light from wall lights or reading lights or any ambient lighting

Read more on where to put sockets in a bedroom and how many you need!

Bathrooms

You'll rarely see a light switch inside a bathroom – just pull cords - because water increases the risk of electric shock and most of our bathrooms in the UK aren't large enough for a switch to be at a safe distance. Place your light switch outside the door, on the handle side, or use a pull cord inside the bathroom instead.

Read more on why the bathroom light switch is outside the bathroom.

Getting your electrics done? Plan your switches, sockets and all other electricals effortlessly on Reno to instruct your electrician!