Totally agree on keeping RGB limited to specific areas. When we first set up our historic home’s backyard, I went a bit overboard too—ended up looking like a carnival. Switched to warm whites mostly, with smart switches for simplicity. Easier to manage daily and fits the house vibe better...
I get the appeal of warm whites and keeping things simple, but I actually like having a few RGB spots for flexibility. Sometimes you want a pop of color for a party or just to change things up. Smart bulbs let you do that without rewiring anything. I guess it depends on how much you like to play with the vibe—my backyard’s definitely not historic though, so maybe I have more leeway.
I totally get the RGB thing—sometimes you just need a little disco in your backyard, right? But have you ever tried mixing smart switches with regular bulbs for the main lighting, then tossing in a few smart RGB spots for the fun stuff? That way, you don’t have to replace every single bulb if one goes out (which, trust me, always happens right before guests arrive). Plus, switches are less likely to get “accidentally” reset by someone who thinks they’re turning on the porch light. Do you ever run into that, or is it just my family who can’t resist pressing every button?
Mixing smart switches with regular bulbs is honestly the way to go for most folks, especially if you’ve got a family (or friends) who can’t keep their hands off the wall switches. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to re-pair a “smart” bulb because someone flipped the switch and left it off for hours. It’s like a game of whack-a-mole, but less fun.
I do love having a few RGB spots for parties or just to make the yard look cool at night—totally agree, sometimes you need that disco vibe. But for main lighting, I’d rather have something reliable that doesn’t require an app every time someone wants to turn it on. Smart switches are just more “set it and forget it.” Plus, if you ever want to swap out bulbs, you’re not locked into one brand or ecosystem.
One thing I’ll add: if you’re doing any kind of outdoor setup, make sure your switches are rated for exterior use or at least well protected. I learned that the hard way after a rainstorm fried one of my first setups. Also, if you’re running low-voltage landscape lights, there are some decent smart transformers out there now—saves a lot of hassle compared to trying to find compatible bulbs.
Not sure if it’s just my crew, but every time I try to explain how the “smart” part works, someone inevitably asks why we can’t just have a normal light switch. Maybe that’s why I’m such a fan of keeping things simple where it counts and saving the fancy stuff for accent lighting.
Anyway, mixing and matching seems like the sweet spot—reliable where you need it, fun where you want it.
I get the appeal of “set it and forget it” with smart switches, but in a historic house, I’ve actually found smart bulbs to be less invasive and a bit more flexible. Swapping out old wiring for smart switches can be a real headache, especially with plaster walls or original fixtures you don’t want to mess up.
“if you ever want to swap out bulbs, you’re not locked into one brand or ecosystem.”
That’s true, but on the flip side, I like being able to move smart bulbs around—bring them in for the winter, use them in different lamps, etc. Plus, some brands have gotten better about remembering states after power loss. It’s not perfect, but for anyone with quirky wiring or who wants to avoid electrical work, bulbs might still be worth considering.
