After months of tinkering and learning, I finally managed to set up a fully automated lighting system in my bathroom using OpenHAB. It’s been a journey of trial and error, but the result is nothing short of amazing. Here’s how I did it and what I learned along the way.The Setup I started with a Fibaro Dimmer 2 and an Aeotec Multisensor 6. The dimmer controls the bathroom light, while the multisensor handles motion detection and light level monitoring. I also integrated OpenHAB with my Raspberry Pi 3, which serves as the brain of the system.The Automation Logic I divided the day into three modes: Day, Evening, and Night. Each mode has its own set of rules for how the lights behave. - Day Mode: The lights only turn on if the room is dim, ensuring energy efficiency. - Evening Mode: Full brightness upon motion detection, with a gradual dimming and shutdown after 15 minutes of inactivity. - Night Mode: Minimal brightness to avoid blinding, with a quicker shutdown after 4 minutes of no motion.The Challenges One of the biggest hurdles was getting the motion sensor to work reliably. I had to tweak the timers and dimming levels multiple times to ensure it didn’t turn off too early or stay on unnecessarily. I also learned the importance of testing edge cases, like when someone is sitting quietly in the bathroom.The Rewards Seeing the system work seamlessly after all that effort was incredibly satisfying. It’s now a key part of my smart home setup, and I’ve even started sharing my configurations with others in the community.Tips for Beginners - Start Small: Don’t try to automate everything at once. Focus on one room or system and perfect it before moving on. - Document Everything: Keep notes on your configurations and changes. It will save you hours of troubleshooting later. - Join the Community: Forums like this are invaluable. Don’t hesitate to ask for help or share your successes.If you’re looking to dive into home automation, I highly recommend starting with something like bathroom lighting. It’s a great way to get familiar with the basics while creating a noticeable improvement in your daily life. Happy automating!