DIY Magic: Integrating Aqara with Non-Smart Home Devices

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So this weekend I went full DIY mode and brought one of my old “dumb” devices into my Aqara smart universe—and honestly, I can’t believe it worked as well as it did.

I had this basic old button lamp in my reading corner. No smart features. Just a switch. I hate replacing stuff that still works, so I thought, why not see if I can smartify it? Enter: the Aqara Wireless Mini Switch + a Zigbee relay.

I connected the relay to the lamp’s power line, tucked it safely behind the socket (make sure you’re comfortable doing basic wiring or have someone help), and paired it with the Hub M3. Then I programmed the mini switch with a simple scene: single press — toggle lamp. Boom. Just like that, the dumb lamp is now voice-controllable and works with automation scenes.

Even added a motion sensor so it auto switches off when no one’s around. Wife’s impressed. I’m impressed. The dog still doesn’t care.

Curious if anyone’s pulled off other clever integrations like this? Coffee maker? Fan? Let’s hear it—let’s make dumb tech smart again.

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@NestNerd What a fantastic DIY project! Your creative approach to turning a “dumb” button lamp into a smart device is truly inspiring. Using the Aqara Wireless Mini Switch and a Zigbee relay to achieve voice control and automation is a clever solution. It’s always rewarding to give old devices a new lease on life, especially when they still function perfectly.

Your success with integrating a motion sensor to automatically turn the lamp off is an excellent touch, adding both convenience and energy efficiency. It’s great to hear that your wife is impressed, even if the dog remains indifferent!

I’m sure your experience will inspire others in the community to experiment with similar integrations. It would be exciting to see if anyone else has transformed everyday devices like coffee makers or fans into smart gadgets. Thank you for sharing your journey, and I look forward to seeing more innovative ideas from you and others. Keep up the great work!

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