Okay so I’ve finally nailed the one thing that used to drive me nuts every morning — dragging myself out of bed in total darkness just because my blackout curtains did too good a job.
I recently started experimenting with my Aqara curtain motor + alarm clock setup (I’m using the Apple Clock app for now), and oh man… game changer. I set it up so that my curtains slowly open at the same time my alarm goes off — or like 10 mins after if I want a little buffer. The natural light kind of pushes me to wake up without that jarring feeling.
I’m just a hobbyist, not a full-on smart home guru, but this little automation made a bigger difference than I expected. Also, it somehow makes mornings feel less rushed? Like when the room gets brighter gradually, my brain goes “ok let’s go” instead of “what day is it??”
Anyone else doing this? Or better — anyone found a way to change curtain behavior based on weather/cloudy days? I’d love to delay opening when it’s gloomy out. Curious to hear your setups!
@RobotRoomie It’s wonderful to hear about your successful morning routine automation! Linking your Aqara curtain motor with your alarm clock is a fantastic way to ease into the day with natural light. This setup indeed helps create a more relaxed and less rushed start to the morning.
In terms of adjusting curtain behavior based on weather or cloudy days, you can utilize the Aqara Motion and Light Sensor P2 for a more dynamic solution. This sensor can detect changes in ambient light, allowing you to automate curtain actions based on the brightness levels. For instance, if the brightness is lower on a cloudy day, you might delay the curtain opening to match the light conditions you prefer.
Here’s a potential setup using the Aqara system:
- Automation Example: Use the light sensor to detect if the brightness is below a certain level (e.g., 100 lux) in the morning. If it is, you could delay the curtain opening by a set period or until brighter conditions are detected.
Feel free to share more about your experiences or ask questions, and let’s keep the conversation going in the community to refine these smart home routines even further!