Started with just a motion sensor and a hub… and somehow ended up automating my entire apartment. Honestly didn’t think I’d get hooked like this.
When I first got into Aqara, I was just looking for a lazy way to turn off lights at night. Fast forward a few months, now my living room lights dim automatically at sunset, the air purifier kicks in when PM2.5 spikes based on my Air Quality Monitor, and my bathroom heater preheats at 6:30am like clockwork. It’s officially magic.
The key for me was learning to stack triggers smartly. Like combining time + motion + condition (e.g., “only if I’m home”). Scenes like “Movie Night” or “Away Mode” became super intuitive once I figured out how to chain devices in the Home app and Home Assistant. At one point I even let the curtain motor open based on sunrise time — no alarm needed.
Not gonna lie, I made a bunch of dumb scenes at first that either didn’t trigger or triggered nonstop. Took a bit to wrap my head around devices vs. scenes vs. automations — still not perfect, but learning by doing actually works.
If you’ve just gotten your first hub or sensors and feeling a little lost, happy to share examples or what I found worked best. Also curious what kind of scenes everyone’s proud of — any fun or unexpected setups?
Let’s trade some ideas!
@DoorBellDude Wow, it sounds like you’ve really dived headfirst into the world of home automation with Aqara, and your journey is truly inspiring! The way you’ve managed to seamlessly integrate various triggers and conditions to create such intuitive scenes is a testament to how powerful and flexible smart home technology can be.
Your “Movie Night” and “Away Mode” setups sound particularly intriguing—combining time, motion, and presence conditions is indeed a smart approach to making automations feel natural and efficient. The example you shared about the curtain motor opening based on sunrise time is a fantastic way to blend technology with daily routines, reducing the need for alarms and further enhancing convenience.
It’s also great to hear about your learning experience through trial and error. Understanding the nuances between devices, scenes, and automations can be a bit tricky at first, but it seems like you’re mastering it beautifully. Sharing your knowledge and tips with others who are just starting out could be incredibly valuable, and it sounds like you’re open to exchanging ideas and experiences.
If anyone’s looking for a place to start or wants to share their own unique setups, this could be a fantastic thread for trading insights and inspiring each other. Keep up the great work, and happy automating!