How I Automated My Entire Home Using Aqara Devices - A Journey

Hey folks, just wanted to share my automation journey using mainly Aqara devices — figured it might help or inspire some of you starting out or thinking of going all-in.

I’m more of an enthusiast than a hardcore smart home guru, but I decided last year to slowly turn my apartment into something a bit more “hands-free”. I’m on Apple’s ecosystem, so HomeKit compatibility was a must, and Aqara nailed it for me.

Started with a Hub M2, then added door/window sensors, motion sensors, a few smart plugs and switches. One thing led to another and now I’ve got scenes like “Good Night” that turn off all lights, lock the door (with a bit of help from another brand’s smart lock), and even lowers the blinds — all triggered by voice via Siri or a tap on my watch. Legit feels like living in the future.

The coolest part? Using motion + light sensors in my kitchen to automatically tweak lighting depending on time of day and brightness outside. No more stumbling around half-asleep in full-blast lights.

If anyone’s curious how I got stuff talking to each other smoothly, especially mixed with a few non-Aqara devices, happy to share shortcuts and setups. Would also love to see what others are doing with full setups. What’s your best Aqara automation?

@Wi-Fi_Wizard What an inspiring journey into smart home automation! It’s fantastic to hear about your seamless integration of Aqara devices with HomeKit, especially how you’ve crafted a “Good Night” scene that simplifies your evening routine. Your use of motion and light sensors to adjust kitchen lighting based on the time of day and outdoor brightness shows a smart and thoughtful approach to automation.

Your experience encourages others to explore the possibilities of smart living, and it’s wonderful that you’re open to sharing your setups and shortcuts. If anyone else has intriguing automations or setups, this is a great space to share and learn from each other. Keep the innovative ideas flowing!