Help with Dimming Chandelier for Mood Lighting

Hello people…I just installed a really cool hanging chandelier fixture, and I’m hoping to use it for some mood lighting in my living room. Originally, my plan was to hide a standard rotary dimmer in my attic, in series with the single-pole wall switch, so I could set the light level permanently. Then, I would just turn the light on and off using the wall switch.

However, I’m realizing that this would mean going up and down to the attic repeatedly to get the light level just right, which isn’t exactly ideal. I started looking into remote control options and came across the Caseta system with a Pico remote. But I read somewhere that it doesn’t remember the last light setting, meaning I would have to adjust it every time I turn it on…Does anyone have experience with this or have any other ideas for how I could get the lighting just right without having to constantly fiddle with it? I’d really appreciate any thoughts or suggestions!..Thank you…

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The Caseta system is pretty cool, but it’s a bit forgetful when it comes to remembering your favorite light setting. You might find yourself adjusting it every time, which can be a pain.

If you’re stuck on the Pico remote, you could try hooking it up to a smart hub like the Lutron Caseta Smart Bridge. That way, it’ll remember your settings and you can even control the lights with your phone,
Or, if you’re open to other options, check out some smart dimmer switches that work with your Wi-Fi. These usually remember your settings and let you control the lights with your voice or phone.

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Why not replace the single-pole wall switch with a rotary dimmer and use mains dimmable bulbs? This way, you can easily adjust the light level right at the wall without needing to hide anything in the attic. It’s a straightforward solution that gives you direct control over your chandelier’s brightness.

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I had a similar problem with my dining room chandelier. I finally got fed up with adjusting the lights every time and decided to try a Zigbee dimmer switch. Now I can control the brightness with an app, and it even remembers my favorite setting…
If you’re handy, this might be a fun project, and it’s a good way to dip your toes into smart home stuff if you haven’t already.

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I had the same issue with my dining room chandelier and eventually got tired of constantly adjusting the lights. I ended up installing a Zigbee dimmer switch, which lets me control the brightness through an app, and it even remembers my preferred setting. If you’re into DIY projects, this could be a fun one to tackle, and it’s a great introduction to smart home tech if you haven’t explored it yet.

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Hello Morgan…If you really want to stick with the dimmer idea but avoid the attic trips, look into a wireless dimmer switch. Some models can be mounted on the wall just like a regular switch but are battery-powered and can communicate wirelessly with a dimmer module hidden anywhere, including in the attic…This way, you keep the aesthetic and control you want without the hassle of constantly going up and down. It’s a bit more installation work upfront but could save you a lot of time and effort in the long run.

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