The First Three Things I’d Automate If I Moved Tomorrow

Forget the 50-device dream setup. These three automations give you 80% of the benefit with 10% of the work.

By Jordan Vale | Technology Enthusiast & Home Systems Optimizer

Picture this: You’ve just moved. Boxes are everywhere. You’re exhausted. The last thing you need is another project. But what if you could make your new home instantly, magically supportive with three simple automations that take 20 minutes total?

After testing hundreds of devices in dozens of configurations, I’ve learned that early wins create momentum. Get these three right on day one, and your home will feel like it’s working for you before you’ve even unpacked the kitchen.

Here’s my non-negotiable, new-home automation shortlist—the ones that deliver immediate quality-of-life returns without the complexity trap.

My last move taught me this. I spent days setting up elaborate scenes and routines. The one that actually mattered? The bathroom light that turned on at 2% brightness when I walked in at night. It prevented stubbed toes and didn’t wake my brain. Simple. Essential.

Automation #1: The Nightlight That Thinks (But Quietly)

The Problem: Blinding yourself with overhead lights for midnight bathroom trips or water runs. It shocks your system awake.
The Solution: Motion-activated, dimmed pathway lighting.

• The Hardware: A Philips Hue Motion Sensor + any Hue White bulb in key locations (hallway, bathroom, kitchen path).
• The Automation:
  • When: Motion detected between 10 PM and 6 AM
  • Then: Turn on connected light to 2% brightness for 5 minutes
• Why It’s First: It’s the most immediate “wow” moment. It makes your new, unfamiliar space feel intuitively safe and considerate. No fumbling for switches. No glare. It’s your home saying, “I’ve got you.”
• Pro Tip: Use the Hue app’s “Natural Light” automation for this. Don’t over-complicate it with other platforms yet.

This is a perfect example of <u>smart home tools that make your space feel calmer, not smarter</u>. The technology disappears, leaving only the benefit.

Automation #2: The Morning Unlock Sequence

The Problem: The jarring transition from sleep to “on.” Overhead lights, blaring alarms, and immediate decision-making.
The Solution: A gentle, 30-minute wake-up sequence that cues your biology, not just your alarm clock.

• The Hardware: A smart plug (like Kasa Smart Plug Mini) for a gentle lamp + your phone alarm.
• The Automation:
  • 6:00 AM: Smart plug turns on a lamp with a warm bulb (on a dimmer if possible) at its lowest setting.
  • 6:15 AM: Lamp brightness slowly increases (manually or via smart bulb).
  • 6:25 AM: Phone alarm sounds (gentle tone, not siren).
• Why It’s Second: It transforms the most stressful part of many people’s day. By the time your alarm goes off, your body is already shifting from sleep mode thanks to the increasing light. You wake up less groggy, more prepared. It’s a direct upgrade to human performance.

This automation directly supports the goal of reducing <u>cognitive load</u> from the moment you open your eyes.

Automation #3: The “I’m Home” Handoff

The Problem: Walking into a dark, silent house after being out. The mental checklist begins: lights, music, temperature…
The Solution: A geofenced “Welcome Home” scene that triggers when your phone arrives.

• The Hardware: Your smartphone (location services) + a smart thermostat (like Google Nest or Ecobee) + at least one smart light.
• The Automation:
  • When: Your phone arrives within 100m of home (after 5 PM)
  • Then:
    1. Turn on entryway/hall light to 70%
    2. Set thermostat to “Home” mode (e.g., 68°F in winter)
    3. (Optional) Start playing a specific playlist on a smart speaker
• Why It’s Third: It creates a deliberate transition from “outside world” to “sanctuary.” You’re not managing your environment; it’s welcoming you. This single automation makes a house feel like a home immediately.

This is foundational to building a <u>supportive home</u> that actively works to reduce your daily friction.

The “Save for Later” List (Don’t Start Here)

• Voice-controlled everything: Requires training and often fails when you need it most.
• Complex security automations: Get comfortable first, then add protection.
• Multi-room audio syncing: A “nice to have” that can wait.
• Color-scene parties: If you’re not a DJ, this is a weekend project at best.

The Rule for Day One: Automations should reduce steps, not add apps. If you need to open an app to make it work, it’s not ready for prime time.

Your Move-In Day Automation Sprint (20 Minutes)

Minute 1-5: Screw the Hue bulb into a lamp along your nighttime path. Install the motion sensor nearby (command strip). Set up the “Nightlight” automation in the Hue app.

Minute 6-10: Plug your bedroom lamp into the Kasa smart plug. Set the morning schedule in the Kasa app.

Minute 11-20: Install your smart thermostat (most take 10 mins with screwdriver). Enable “Home/Away Assist” with phone location.

That’s it. You now have a home that:

1. Guides you safely at night
2. Wakes you gently
3. Welcomes you warmly

Everything else—the <u>smart home devices that actually reduce mental load</u>, the fancy scenes, the integrations—can come later, once you’re settled. These three create the foundation of a home that feels intelligent, not intrusive.

Quick-Fire Q&A

Q: What if I don’t have a smart thermostat yet?
A: Skip #3 for now, or replace it with a simple “Welcome Home” light scene. The nightlight and morning sequence are higher priorities. A Kasa Smart Plug ($15) can automate a cozy lamp instead.

Q: Are these compatible with Alexa/Google?
A: They can be, but set them up in their native apps first. Make them rock-solid standalone. Adding voice control is a layer 2 upgrade. Day one is about reliability.

Q: I’m tech-averse. Is this really 20 minutes?
A: Yes, if you follow the order. Each app guides you. The Philips Hue motion sensor setup is particularly foolproof. The goal isn’t customization; it’s getting the basic automation live.

Q: Why not start with smart locks or security?
A: Security requires careful setup and testing. These three automations are pure quality of life with zero downside if they glitch (a light turns on). Build confidence with low-stakes wins first.

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About Jordan Vale: I believe the best automations are the ones you stop noticing within a week because they just feel like “how the home should work.”