I’ve been diving into the world of smart lighting automation, and I must say, it’s been an enlightening experience! 
As someone who’s relatively new to the SmartThings ecosystem, I’ve been experimenting with a mix of Lutron Caseta switches and Philips Hue bulbs. The goal? To create a seamless lighting setup that not only enhances my home’s ambiance but also integrates effortlessly with my existing smart devices. ### My Setup Journey In my living room, I’ve replaced traditional 3-way switches with Lutron Caseta dimmers. The installation was straightforward—just a matter of wiring the dimmer in place of one switch and using a Pico Remote for the other end. This setup allows me to control the lights from either side of the room, which is super convenient. However, things got a bit tricky when I tried to incorporate Philips Hue bulbs into the mix. I discovered that using a dimmer with Hue bulbs isn’t ideal because it can potentially damage the bulbs. So, I decided to go with a standard On/Off switch paired with a wireless scene selector. This approach not only preserves the Hue bulbs but also allows me to create different lighting themes—perfect for setting the mood for various occasions! ### The Search for the Perfect Scene Selector Finding the right scene selector was a bit of a challenge. I needed something that was gang-sized, compatible with both Z-Wave and Zigbee, and could work seamlessly with SmartThings. After some research, I stumbled upon a few options that seemed promising. They allow me to toggle between different lighting scenes without dimming the bulbs, which is exactly what I wanted. ### Integration with SmartThings Integrating everything with SmartThings has been a breeze. The Lutron Caseta switches and Philips Hue bulbs communicate beautifully, and I can control them all from the SmartThings app. It’s amazing how a few taps on my phone can transform the ambiance of my living room. Plus, the ability to set up routines based on time or motion sensors adds another layer of convenience. ### Future Plans I’m already thinking about how to expand this setup to other areas of my home. Maybe adding some smart plugs for table lamps or even integrating some smart blinds for a more complete automation experience. The possibilities are endless! ### Questions & Tips If anyone has experience with similar setups or has recommendations for scene selectors, I’d love to hear about them! Also, for those just starting out, my advice is to plan your setup carefully and take the time to understand the compatibility of different devices. It might seem overwhelming at first, but with a bit of research and patience, you’ll be up and running in no time. Happy automating! 