ud83dudcda Entryway Renovation Series u2014 9 of 10
u2190 Entryway Renovation Vol.8: Shoe Cabinet Installation u00b7 Series Index u00b7 Entryway Renovation Vol.10: Complete! u2192
Hi there u2014 DIY Dad here! Continuing the first-floor entryway renovation. For the final finishing touches, we’re installing the switch and outlet panels, the lighting, and a mirror. Tools and materials: switch panel, footlight outlet panel, motion-sensor light, a stylish mirror, impact driver, and screwdriver.
For this renovation I used Panasonic’s Cosmo Series Wide 21 glow switches throughout the entire property. Standard old-style switch plates have a dated look u2014 but swap them out for wide-format panels and suddenly the whole room feels like a modern home. It’s remarkable what a difference the switch plate makes.
First up u2014 installing the switch panel.
Brand new u2014 that fresh-out-of-the-box look is so satisfying! The glow switch has a small pilot light that glows when the room light is off. A tiny detail that makes a huge practical difference u2014 no more fumbling for the switch in a dark room late at night.
Next u2014 the footlight outlet panel.
When it’s bright, the footlight stays off.
In the dark, it casts a gentle glow near the floor u2014 subtle, warm, and practical for navigating in the dark.
Next u2014 the motion-sensor light. This one stays off when it’s bright, but when the room is dark and you walk toward it, the sensor picks up the movement and the light comes on automatically.
Shot with the sensor switched off u2014 the light while it’s still off. Opening your front door to a light that turns on automatically is a genuinely pleasant little luxury every single day.
Finally u2014 installing the stylish mirror. It was a housewarming gift. The style looked like something you’d find at IKEA. The installation instructions were included but written entirely in English u2014 a bit of a puzzle! The illustrations were clear enough, though, and with a bit of intuition it all went up perfectly.
The housewarming-gift mirror fits in beautifully! A really nice finishing touch for the entryway.
2026 Update u2014 Looking Back on the Completed Entryway
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The entryway had far fewer steps than the bathroom u2014 one of the more approachable spaces for DIY beginners. Yet in terms of return on investment, it may be the highest-value renovation you can do on a rental. The first impression a tenant gets starts the moment they step through the door.
Wide-Format Switch Panels Transform a Room
One of the single most cost-effective upgrades in any renovation: swap the old narrow switch plates for wide-format panels. The room immediately reads as modern. Panasonic’s Cosmo Wide 21 glow switch was used throughout this project u2014 the pilot light function means you can always find the switch in the dark.
Footlights and Motion Sensors Elevate the User Experience
Small upgrades like the footlight outlet and the motion-sensor light cost almost nothing extra in materials or labor, but they make daily life noticeably better u2014 and they’re a genuine selling point when showing the property to prospective tenants.
Originally published: December 17, 2016 (old Seesaa blog) | Rewritten: May 8, 2026
ud83dudcda Entryway Renovation Series u2014 9 of 10
u2190 Entryway Renovation Vol.8: Shoe Cabinet Installation u00b7 Series Index u00b7 Entryway Renovation Vol.10: Complete! u2192
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