Smart Lighting Automation in the Bathroom

I’ve been experimenting with setting up a smart lighting system in my bathroom, and I wanted to share my experiences and ask for some advice. The goal is to create a seamless experience where the lights turn on when I enter, stay on while I’m using the bathroom, and then turn off automatically after I leave. However, I’ve encountered a few challenges along the way and would love to hear how others have tackled similar setups.

First, I’ve set up a motion sensor and a door sensor to control the lights. The idea is that when I walk into the bathroom, the motion sensor triggers the lights to turn on. That part works perfectly! The issue arises when I want the lights to stay on even if there’s no motion, such as when I’m showering. I’ve tried setting a timer for the lights to stay on for a few minutes after the last motion, but I’m not sure if this is the most efficient way to do it. Does anyone have a better suggestion for maintaining the lights during extended periods of no motion?

Another thing I’m curious about is integrating the door sensor into the automation. Ideally, if the door is closed, the lights should remain on regardless of motion. This would be especially useful in the shower when the door is shut, and I don’t want the lights to turn off if I’m not moving around much. However, I’m not entirely sure how to set this up in my smart home system. Any tips or examples of successful setups would be greatly appreciated!

I’ve also considered adding a manual override switch just in case the automation doesn’t behave as expected. This way, I can always ensure the lights are on when I need them. But I’m wondering if there’s a smarter way to handle this without needing a physical switch.

Overall, I’m really enjoying the process of creating a more automated and convenient bathroom experience. It’s been a great learning opportunity, and I’m excited to see how I can refine this setup further. If anyone has any advice, tips, or experiences to share, I’d love to hear about them!