I get the appeal of color control, especially for parties or holidays. But honestly, I tried the whole “train the family” thing and it just didn’t stick. Someone always flips the switch out of habit, then I’m stuck resetting bulbs. For me, smart switches just feel less fussy in the long run. Maybe my crew’s just stubborn...
Someone always flips the switch out of habit, then I’m stuck resetting bulbs.
That’s exactly what happened at my place—my kids just can’t resist a good old-fashioned light switch. Have you tried those smart switches that still let you control color bulbs? I’ve seen some that work with both, but I haven’t tested them yet. Curious if anyone’s had luck with those, or if it’s just easier to stick with regular smart switches and skip the fancy colors in the yard.
Smart Switches Are Great, But Don’t Ditch the Bulbs Yet
Curious if anyone’s had luck with those, or if it’s just easier to stick with regular smart switches and skip the fancy colors in the yard.
I get where you’re coming from—kids (and honestly, even adults) just gravitate to the physical switch. But honestly, I wouldn’t write off the color bulbs just yet, especially if you like to change things up for holidays or parties. Here’s what’s worked for me, and it didn’t break the bank:
1. I put a cheap plastic “switch guard” over the light switch. It’s not fancy, but it stops accidental flipping. You can still use the switch if you really need to, but it’s enough to remind folks not to mess with it.
2. For the actual control, I stuck with color bulbs and use a smart button near the door. It’s basically a wireless remote you can stick anywhere, and it’s a lot less tempting to flip the switch when there’s a button right there.
3. If you’re set on switches, look for “smart dimmers” that are compatible with smart bulbs. Some brands let you use both, but they can get pricey.
Honestly, the combo of a switch guard and a cheap smart button has worked better than I expected. I still get to play with colors, and nobody’s resetting bulbs every week.
Honestly, the switch guard trick is underrated. I slapped one on after my nephew kept “helping” by turning the porch lights off mid-barbecue—problem solved. I’m with you on the smart button, too. We stuck a Hue dimmer on the wall and now even my dad, who’s still suspicious of Wi-Fi, can manage the lights without a meltdown.
That said, I’ve had mixed luck with smart bulbs outside. The colors are fun for Halloween or when I want to pretend my yard is a tiki bar, but sometimes the connection gets wonky in cold weather. My neighbor swears by his smart switches instead—no color options, but zero connectivity drama.
Guess it depends if you want disco vibes or just reliable lighting. Personally, I like a little chaos with my convenience... keeps things interesting.
I get the appeal of smart bulbs for the color options—my wife loves setting them to purple for Halloween, and I’ll admit it looks cool. But after a couple winters where half the bulbs dropped off the network or just refused to turn on, I ripped them out and went with smart switches. No more fiddling with apps or yelling at Alexa when it’s freezing outside and the lights won’t cooperate.
Honestly, I’d rather have boring white light that works every time than deal with the circus of reconnecting bulbs. Plus, if you ever want to swap out fixtures or bulbs, you’re not locked into a specific brand or ecosystem. The switches just work, no matter what you screw in. Maybe I’m old school, but reliability beats disco mode for me—especially when I’m carrying groceries in the dark.
