Light Switch UI
Beth here.
Things have been slow on the house renovation at the casa, and we’re finding that we’re kind of liking that pace. Also, our bank account seems to have this mysterious “money” in it now. It’s weird.
I’ve been taking on little projects here and there, including under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen. This picture is of the expanded light switch box I put in to accommodate the new switch. While it is not a terribly exciting picture, you can almost see how I have put in lighted switches on the middle switches that turn on lights and a regular ol’ plain switch on the one that runs the garbage disposal. This has very much reduced my dinner clean-up anxiety about whether or not I’m turning on the garbage disposal as I can never, ever remember which switch it is otherwise, and it scares me when I turn it on accidentally.
I realize there are bigger problems in the world, but not being on edge about the garbage disposal helps me to better tackle those problems. See how Light Switch UI makes the world a better place?
Gina said,
May 23, 2008 @ 1:29 pm
I don’t have a garbage disposal in this house, but my parents always did. I would have anxiety over the switches, like you. I always pictured someone with their hand in there and someone else flipping the switch. That’s why I don’t have one in my own home. If you’re going to though your idea is definitely a good one.
Josh said,
May 23, 2008 @ 4:43 pm
Nice idea to use a different switch for the disposal. I have a three-gang switch by the front door that I could never keep straight until I used my label maker to label them. I like that your solution is more discrete.
kim said,
May 25, 2008 @ 3:53 pm
Ah, this too is one of my many little anxiety issues. So much so that in the wiring I’m currently doing for my new kitchen, I put the disposer switch on the opposite side of the sink. I’ll hardly use the thing since most of it goes to compost anyway. Your idea is a good solution, too. Yay for diminishing anxieties!
Lynn said,
May 27, 2008 @ 2:29 pm
Under cabinet lighting, eh? Hmmmmm, how long is it you’re going to be visiting? When you see our “set up” you might go screaming to the local hardware store (one can always hope!). Ah well. What can I say. I really love the lighting, but I love even more that you’ve installed the appropriate switches. Cudos, You!
Beth said,
May 27, 2008 @ 5:05 pm
Gina – I really do have to make sure I know where everyone’s limbs are before I flip a kitchen light switch. I’m just glad there are others who understand of what I speak.
Josh – It would probably be harder to differentiate if they were all to lights.
Kim – Very clever to put it on the opposite side! Our neighbors put it in the backsplash directly above the disposal so they can easily tell.
Lynn – Sorry! I’ll be too full of bbq for home repair!
Middle Sister said,
June 1, 2008 @ 8:01 am
You would have a heart attack at our house. The kids (and me too) turn on the disposal by mistake, DAILY!!! Let me know when you are coming next and I will label them!