How to Create a Night Light Routine with Innr Smart Bulbs and Smart Plugs

Quick answer

To create a night light routine with Innr smart bulbs and smart plugs, use your Zigbee bridge and app to set schedules, dimming levels, and scenes. Start with a dimmable Innr bulb in your bedside lamp, then add a smart plug for lamps without smart bulbs. Automate them to turn on dim at sunset and off at bedtime.

A night light routine isn't just about convenience—it helps your body wind down. By automating your lights to dim gradually in the evening, you create a calming signal that it's time to relax. With Innr smart bulbs and smart plugs, you can set this up in minutes using your existing Zigbee bridge and app.

This guide walks you through the process step by step, from choosing the right bulb to setting schedules and scenes. Whether you want a warm glow for reading or a soft path to the bathroom, these tips will help you build a routine that works for your bedroom.

Why Use Innr Smart Bulbs for a Night Light Routine?

Innr smart bulbs are designed to work with your existing Zigbee bridge, like Philips Hue or the Innr bridge. They offer wireless dimming and can be controlled remotely, so you can adjust your night light without getting out of bed. Many models, such as the Innr Smart Candle White E14, provide warm white light that's perfect for a cozy evening atmosphere.

For a night light routine, you want a bulb that can dim to a low level without flickering. Innr's white bulbs are dimmable and provide a warm, relaxing glow. If you prefer color, the Innr Smart Mini Bulb Colour E14 offers 16 million colors, so you can choose a soothing blue or amber tone for your evening unwind.

• Choose a bulb with warm white light for a natural, calming effect.
• Ensure your bulb is compatible with your Zigbee bridge before purchasing.

Setting Up Your Innr Smart Bulb

Start by installing your Innr smart bulb in a lamp or fixture you want to control. For bedside lamps with small Edison screw fittings, the Innr Smart Mini Bulb Colour E14 or the Innr Smart Candle White E14 are great options. If you have standard E27 fittings, the Innr Smart Bulb White 800lm E27 works well.

Once installed, use your Zigbee bridge's app to add the bulb to your system. Follow the app's instructions to put the bulb into pairing mode, then search for new devices. After it's connected, give it a name like 'Bedside Lamp' so you can easily identify it in routines.

• Make sure the bulb is powered on and in pairing mode before searching.
• Name your bulbs clearly to avoid confusion when setting up routines.

Adding a Smart Plug for Non-Smart Lamps

Not every lamp needs a smart bulb. If you have a floor lamp or a string of fairy lights that you want to automate, an Innr Smart Plug can turn any plugged-in light into a smart light. The Innr Smart Plug (Black) works with Zigbee 3.0 and includes power monitoring, so you can also track energy usage.

Plug the smart plug into a wall socket, then connect your lamp to it. Pair the plug with your Zigbee bridge just like a bulb. Once added, you can control it with the same app and include it in your night light routine.

• Use smart plugs for lamps with non-smart bulbs or for appliances like a white noise machine.
• The Innr Smart Plug includes energy monitoring, which can help you track usage.

Creating a Night Light Schedule

With your bulbs and plugs connected, it's time to set up a schedule. In your Zigbee app, look for routines or automations. Create a new routine and set a time for when you want the night light to turn on—typically around sunset or an hour before bed. Choose the devices you want to include, such as your bedside lamp and any smart plugs.

Next, set the desired brightness and color temperature. For a night light, a low brightness (around 10-20%) and warm white (2700K or lower) is ideal. If you're using a color bulb, you can pick a soft amber or red hue, which is less stimulating than blue light. Save the routine and test it to make sure it works as expected.

• Start with a low brightness setting to avoid a jarring transition from dark to light.
• Consider using a sunset-triggered routine if your bridge supports it.

Automating Dimming and Scenes

Instead of just turning on at a fixed time, you can create a scene that gradually dims your lights. Some Zigbee apps allow you to set a transition time, so the light fades smoothly over several minutes. This mimics a natural sunset and helps your eyes adjust.

You can also create multiple scenes for different activities. For example, a 'Reading' scene with brighter warm light, and a 'Sleep' scene with very dim light. Then, schedule these scenes to change automatically as the evening progresses.

• Use transition times to make the light change gradually, not abruptly.
• Create separate scenes for different times of the evening.

Tips for Troubleshooting Common Issues

If your routine doesn't work as expected, check that your bridge is online and that the devices are connected. Sometimes, Zigbee devices can drop off the network. Try restarting the bridge or re-pairing the device. Also, ensure that your app is updated to the latest version.

Another common issue is that the routine time is set incorrectly. Double-check the time zone and that the schedule is enabled. If you're using a smart plug, make sure the connected lamp's switch is in the 'on' position, as the plug only controls power to the outlet.

• Always keep the lamp switch on when using a smart plug.
• Test your routine immediately after setting it up to catch errors early.

Step-by-Step: Build Your Night Light Routine

1. Choose your lighting devices: Decide which lamps you want to automate. For E14 sockets, consider the Innr Smart Candle White E14 or the Innr Smart Mini Bulb Colour E14. For standard E27, use the Innr Smart Bulb White 800lm E27. For non-smart lamps, plan to use an Innr Smart Plug. Check your lamp's socket type before buying to ensure compatibility.
2. Install and pair your devices: Screw in your smart bulbs and plug in your smart plugs. Use your Zigbee bridge app to add each device to your network. Follow the app's pairing instructions, and name each device clearly. If a device doesn't pair, reset it and try again—check that it's within range.
3. Create a night light scene: In your app, create a new scene called 'Night Light' and set the brightness to about 10-20% with a warm white color. If using a color bulb, choose a soft amber or red hue. Add all the devices you want to include. Test the scene manually to see if the brightness feels right before scheduling.
4. Set a schedule for your routine: Create a routine or automation that triggers your 'Night Light' scene at a specific time, like 30 minutes before bed. Set another routine to turn the lights off at your desired bedtime. If your app supports sunset triggers, use them for a more natural feel. Make sure the schedule is enabled and the time zone is correct.
5. Adjust and refine: After a few nights, assess how the routine feels. You may want to lower the brightness, change the color, or adjust the timing. Use the app to tweak the settings until it feels perfect. A good night light routine should be subtle and not disrupt your sleep.

Products Mentioned in This Guide

• Innr Smart Candle White E14: This smart candle with small fitting gives your fixture a massive upgrade. Letting you operate the light wirelessly, even when you're not at home. Provides warm white light. Also works with Philips Hue*. Perfect for bedside lamps with E14 sockets, offering a warm, dimmable glow that's ideal for a night light.
• Innr Smart Mini Bulb Colour E14: The mini smart bulb with 16 million colours. Use the app to choose between warm white light for extra ambience or cooler white light for more focus. Or add some extra colour to your interior with one of 16 million light colours. If you want to experiment with colored night lights, this bulb gives you endless options while still fitting small E14 fixtures.
• Innr Smart Plug (Black): The smart wireless Zigbee 3.0 switch, type F, with power monitoring. Works with Philips Hue*, Samsung SmartThings, and our own Innr bridge. EASY SETUP Install the smart socket with your phone and every light with a plug becomes a smart light! This also works for small household appliances. Turn any plug-in lamp into a smart light, and monitor energy usage to see how much your night light costs.

Creating a night light routine with Innr smart bulbs and smart plugs is a simple way to improve your evening relaxation and sleep quality. By following these steps, you can automate a calming, dimmed atmosphere that gradually guides you to bedtime. Start with one lamp and expand as you get comfortable with the setup.