Totally get what you're saying about the adjustment period. Did you find it tricky figuring out sensor placement at first? I've noticed that clients often underestimate how much sensor positioning affects the overall feel of smart lighting. Too sensitive, and lights flicker on and off randomly; too hidden, and they don't respond when you actually need them. I usually recommend placing sensors at waist or chest height rather than ceiling level—seems counterintuitive, but it helps avoid false triggers from pets or curtains moving around.
Also curious if you've experimented with different color temperatures throughout the day? I've found that warmer tones in the evening really help spaces feel cozy and inviting, while cooler tones during daytime hours can boost productivity. It takes some tweaking, but once dialed in, it makes a noticeable difference in comfort levels.
Sensor placement was definitely a bit of trial and error for me too. At first, I had mine up near the ceiling, thinking it'd cover more area—but it kept triggering every time the curtains moved or my cat wandered by. Waist-height placement was a game changer, honestly, so you're spot-on there. Haven't experimented much with color temps yet, but now you've got me curious...might have to play around with warmer tones in the evening and see how it feels.
I had a similar experience with sensor placement, but mine was even more ridiculous. I initially put one right by the front door, thinking it'd be perfect for detecting when someone came home. But every time a car drove past at night, the headlights would bounce off the neighbor's windows and trigger it. Took me forever to figure out why my hallway lights kept randomly flicking on at 2 AM...thought my house was haunted for a minute there, lol.
Eventually moved it lower and angled it slightly away from the window—problem solved. Waist-height really does seem to be the sweet spot for most sensors, especially if pets are involved. I swear, cats have some kind of sixth sense for messing with smart home setups.
As for color temps, I've been using warmer tones in the evening for a while now, and it's honestly pretty nice. At first, I wasn't convinced it'd make much difference, but it genuinely feels more relaxing and cozy. It's subtle enough that you don't consciously notice it after a while, but when I switch back to cooler whites at night now, it feels weirdly harsh and clinical.
One thing I haven't quite nailed yet is voice commands. Half the time I forget exactly what phrase I set up, so I'm standing there awkwardly repeating variations until something finally clicks. My family finds this endlessly amusing, of course. Guess that's just part of the learning curve when your house starts getting smarter than you are...
"Waist-height really does seem to be the sweet spot for most sensors, especially if pets are involved."
Interesting you mention waist-height—I actually found placing mine slightly higher (around shoulder height) worked better for me. I initially had them lower too, but my dog kept setting them off constantly. Raising them a bit and angling downward reduced false triggers significantly. Also, warmer tones are nice, but I've found using dimmer cooler tones in task areas (like kitchens) helps me stay alert without feeling clinical...just something to consider.
I initially had them lower too, but my dog kept setting them off constantly. Raising them a bit and angling downward reduced false triggers significantly.
I've been experimenting with sensor placements too, and I noticed something similar. Waist-height was a disaster with my cat—constant false alarms. Shoulder-height angled downwards definitely helped. Might try your cooler tones suggestion for the kitchen...does it really make that much difference?
