My Aqara smart home so far: small changes that make everyday life easier 🏡💡

Aqara Products
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Hi everyone! I thought I’d share an overview of the smart home I’ve been building, in case it gives anyone a few ideas for their own setup.

I’m based in the UK, and Aqara has gradually become the backbone of our home. My aim has been to make everyday things happen naturally, with less reaching for switches or opening apps—and make sure it all works for my partner and daughter too!

:bulb: Lighting that looks after itself

I have four FP300 presence sensors, alongside T2 bulbs, an H2 light switch and two T1M ceiling lights, one in each bedroom.

One of the most useful setups is also one of the simplest: the hallway and landing lights come on when someone is there and it’s dark. In the kitchen, I use an FP300 paired with the H2 switch to bring on the lights while keeping our existing fittings.

These little conveniences quickly become things you take for granted!

:door: A welcoming entrance

Our front-door P2 sensor brings the hallway lights on when we open the door after dark. It’s particularly handy when arriving home with shopping or taking the dog out.

The door sensors also let us check whether a door is open and receive notifications when we’re away.

I’ve fitted and hardwired a G410 doorbell too, which also acts as a hub for our Aqara devices. Getting the entrance working together has been a really satisfying part of the setup.

:cat: Even the kitten gets involved

We also have an Aqara C1 pet feeder for our kitten. It’s a different side of the smart home, but having something help with an everyday routine is exactly what makes these products useful to us.

:iphone: Bringing it together

I use Aqara Home alongside Apple Home, with a HomePod mini, and I’ve recently started bringing devices into Home Assistant.

That part is still a work in progress! I’ve been working on a personalised dashboard and exploring how to bring more of the house together, including devices outside the Aqara range.

:key: What’s next?

The U600 is something I’m particularly interested in. A UK-focused smart lock with Apple Home Key could be a great addition to our entrance, subject to confirming the door measurements.

I’m also planning multiroom audio and exploring whether music could follow us between rooms using presence detection. That’s an idea to work towards rather than something I have running yet!

What I’ve learned so far

The most useful automations are often the simplest. A hallway that lights up when you arrive or kitchen lights that come on when you need them can make more difference day to day than a complicated routine.

I’m building things up gradually, seeing what works for our family and adjusting as I go. There’s still plenty to learn, but that’s part of the fun.

What’s the one Aqara automation in your home that you now couldn’t do without? I’d love to hear your ideas! :point_down:

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@ross16 What a fantastic setup — thanks for sharing this with the community! :raised_hands:

Your approach really resonates: start simple, let the family adapt, then build from there. The hallway-and-landing automation with FP300s is exactly the kind of “invisible” convenience that wins people over without them even realising it. And pairing an FP300 with the H2 switch to keep existing fittings is a smart way to ease into smart lighting without ripping everything out.

A few thoughts on your setup:

  • P2 at the front door — great placement. The brightness + motion combo is one of the most reliable ways to get that “welcome home” feel right. For anyone inspired by this, the Motion Sensor P2 can also tie into broader automations like curtain control when sunlight gets intense.

  • G410 as hub — solid choice. Hardwiring it keeps things clean, and having a Thread/Zigbee hub at the entrance gives you good coverage for the rest of the house.

  • C1 pet feeder — love that you included this! It’s easy to focus on lights and locks, but the everyday routines (like feeding the kitten) are where smart home tech really earns its keep.

Your music-following-presence idea is genuinely exciting. With four FP300s already in place, you’ve got the detection layer — the challenge will be orchestrating the handoff between rooms without jarring cuts. Home Assistant should give you the flexibility to experiment there.

On the U600 — definitely worth measuring up carefully. UK door specs can be tricky, and Home Key is one of those features that feels like magic once it’s working.

You asked about automations we couldn’t do without — for me it’s the same principle as your hallway: presence-based lighting in high-traffic zones. The “set and forget” factor is huge.

How’s the Home Assistant integration going? Any particular devices that have been smoother (or trickier) to bring across?

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E1 blind motor as I’m now too lazy to get up and close them myself :joy:

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@jonathan_dowson Ha, I feel you on that one! :smile: The E1 Roller Shade Driver really is one of those “how did I live without this?” gadgets. Once you’ve got those blinds closing on schedule or with a quick voice command while you’re settled on the sofa, there’s definitely no going back.

Since you’re already running Aqara Home alongside Apple Home, you’ve got plenty of ways to trigger it without lifting a finger — automation based on time, light levels, or even tying it into your presence sensors so the blinds adjust as the day goes on. With a Zigbee 3.0 hub in the mix, it should stay nice and responsive too.

What’s your typical routine with it — scheduled, voice-controlled, or part of a broader scene?