Totally get this—sometimes the “smarter” tech just isn’t worth the hassle, especially in older homes. There’s something to be said for a solution that just works, even if it’s not flashy. Honestly, I love the vibe of a well-lit porch, no matter how it’s powered.
I hear you on the “just works” part—sometimes the simplest setup is the least stressful, especially if you’re dealing with old wiring or weird junction boxes. I’ve run into more than a few headaches trying to retrofit smart switches in houses where nothing’s grounded right or the boxes are too shallow. Ever tried to cram a chunky smart switch into a 1950s wall box? Not fun.
Here’s my take: smart bulbs are easy for plug-and-play, but then you’re stuck leaving the switch on all the time, which can be a pain if someone flips it off by habit. Smart switches, on the other hand, let you keep your regular bulbs and control everything at the wall—way more intuitive for guests or anyone not into tech. But again, installation can get tricky fast if your wiring isn’t up to snuff.
I’ve actually had better luck with outdoor-rated smart plugs for yard lights. You just plug them in, hook up your string lights or whatever, and control them from your phone or with a timer. No rewiring, no fussing with switches behind old plaster. Not as “integrated,” maybe, but it gets the job done and nobody has to learn new habits.
Curious if anyone’s found a way around the whole “switch must stay on” issue with smart bulbs? I’ve seen some folks use those magnetic covers or stickers as reminders, but that feels like a band-aid. At some point, is it even worth making things “smart” if you have to train everyone in the house?
Honestly, half the time I just want to flip a switch and have my porch lit up without thinking about apps or automations... but then again, being able to turn everything off from bed is pretty nice. Guess it comes down to how much hassle you’re willing to put up with versus how much convenience you really get out of it.
Honestly, I’ve been down the same road—old house, tiny boxes, and a lot of swearing at midnight. The one workaround I tried was swapping out the actual switch for a smart “button” that sticks to the wall, then just wiring the box to always-on behind it. That way, the old switch location is still used like normal, but nobody can turn off the power accidentally. Not as pretty as a real switch, but it’s saved a lot of family confusion. For the yard, though, outdoor smart plugs are basically foolproof. Plug in, set a schedule, and forget it... no drywall dust or cursing required.
- Totally get the pain with old wiring and tiny boxes—been there, done that, and yeah, it’s a headache.
- I’ve had decent luck with those stick-on smart buttons too. Not the most elegant, but they’re way less hassle than trying to retrofit a real smart switch in a 1950s wall box.
- For outdoor setups, I lean toward smart plugs as well. They’re cheap, weatherproof, and you can move them around if your landscaping changes.
- Only thing I’d add: if you’ve got multiple zones or want to automate based on sunset/sunrise, make sure your plug supports that. Some of the cheaper ones are pretty limited.
- One minor gripe—sometimes the WiFi range outside isn’t great. I had to add a mesh node in the garage just to keep everything connected. Worth considering if you’ve got a big yard.
Yeah, the WiFi range thing is real—my backyard’s just big enough that I had to mess with extenders too. I totally agree about the smart plugs being a lifesaver, especially when you’re dealing with old wiring that’s just not worth the hassle to upgrade. I tried to swap in a smart switch once and ended up staring at a rat’s nest of wires for an hour before giving up. Stick-on buttons and plugs might not look fancy, but honestly, they just work. Sometimes “good enough” is the best option, especially when you’re juggling a million other reno projects.
