Changing the colour of your smart bulb can seem daunting at first, but with the right guidance, it’s actually quite simple! Smart bulbs are a great way to add a pop of colour or set the mood in any room. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to change your smart bulb’s colour and get the perfect lighting effect.
What Are Smart Bulbs?
Smart bulbs, also known as connected or Wi-Fi-enabled bulbs, are lighting devices that can be controlled remotely via a smartphone app, voice assistant, or other smart home platform. Unlike traditional lightbulbs, you don’t need to physically flip a light switch to turn them on or off. Smart bulbs connect directly to your home Wi-Fi network, allowing you to control them from anywhere.
Most smart bulbs have a range of unique features that standard bulbs don’t offer:
- Dimming – Adjust brightness levels through the app
- Scheduling – Set lights to turn on/off automatically at certain times
- Colour changing – Pick from thousands of colours
- Grouping – Control multiple lights at once
- Compatibility – Works with smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, etc.
By giving you wireless control over colour, brightness, and scheduling, smart bulbs provide convenience and flexibility not possible with traditional lighting. They are most commonly used in table lamps, floor lamps, pendant lights, and other fixture types that accept standard bulb sizes.
Selecting Smart Bulb Models
There are a wide variety of smart bulb models on the market these days. When selecting bulbs for your colour changing needs, here are some key factors to consider:
Brand
Some of the top smart bulb brands include Philips Hue, LIFX, Cree, GE, Sylvania, TP-Link, and more. Each brand has their own unique app and features, so comparing a few options is recommended.
Compatibility
Ensure the smart bulbs you choose are compatible with your smartphone/tablet OS (iOS or Android) and any smart home platforms you plan to use like Amazon Alexa. Bulbs that support multiple platforms give you the most flexibility.
Lumens
Lumens indicate the total light output. Bulbs with higher lumens will appear brighter. A lumen range of 800-1000 is typical for most rooms.
Colour Options
Some smart bulbs can only display basic white shades, while others offer full RGB (red, green, blue) colour blending capabilities. RGB models provide access to thousands or millions of colours.
Extra Features
Consider smart bulbs with added benefits like adjustable white temperature, motion activation, or ambient lighting modes. This provides greater customization for your needs.
Quantity
Determine how many smart bulbs you need based on the room sizes you want to install them in. Most smart bulb starter kits include 2-4 bulbs.
How to Change Smart Bulb Colours
Once you’ve selected the right smart bulbs for your needs, you’re ready to dive into colour changing. The exact steps depend a bit on the specific app and bulb model, but the general process is:
- Install smart bulbs – Screw bulbs into sockets like regular bulbs. Follow the included instructions.
- Connect bulbs to Wi-Fi – Open the app and follow the setup prompts to connect each bulb to your Wi-Fi network.
- Group bulbs (optional) – Create groups if you want to control multiple bulbs together.
- Open colour picker – Locate the colour option in the app. There should be a colour wheel or palette to choose from.
- Select colour – Tap or slide to pick your desired colour. The bulb(s) will change in real-time.
- Adjust brightness – Use the app sliders to find the perfect brightness level.
That’s the basic process for modifying both the colour and brightness. Most smart bulb apps make this very user-friendly with intuitive controls. Let’s look at how colour changing works in some of the major smart bulb platforms.
Philips Hue App
Philips Hue is likely the most popular smart bulb brand. In the Hue app, tap on the bulb icon, then under the ‘Colour’ section choose from the circular colour picker wheel. Slide up to increase brightness. The app shows a live preview of any changes.
LIFX App
Using the LIFX app, tap the ‘+’ icon to select bulb(s), then choose a theme colour, or use the colour wheel and brightness sliders below. Colour changes reflect instantly.
SmartThings App
For SmartThings compatible bulbs like Cree, tap the bulb icon, select the ‘Colour’ tab, then pick a colour from the wheel and use the brightness bar. Any connected bulbs will change in sync.
As you can see, the overall process is very similar. The colour wheel or palette provides a wide spectrum of colours to suit any mood or activity. You can store favourite colours for quick access.
Tips for Using Smart Bulb Colours
Here are some tips to help you get creative and make the most of your smart bulbs’ colour changing abilities:
Set the Mood
Use soft colours like light blues or greens to create a calm, relaxed ambiance. Deep reds or purples can promote energy. Pick bright whites for concentration.
Coordinate With Decor
Match bulb colours to your room’s existing decor for a cohesive look. For example, use navy blue in a room with blue accents.
Highlight Elements
Use smart bulbs to draw attention to architectural features, art, or decorative items by illuminating them with colour.
Set Night Lights
Use dim, soft smart bulb colours in bathrooms, hallways, or bedrooms to create pleasant nighttime lighting.
Control From Anywhere
Change colours even when away from home for security, pet care, or to get the house ready for your return.
Create Lighting Scenes
Program custom lighting scenes like ‘Movie Night’ or ‘Dinner Party’ for one-touch control.
Sync With Music
Some smart bulbs can sync colours to music, flash along with beats, or pulse to ambient sounds.
Set Schedules
Schedule colour and brightness changes to match your daily routine using the app.
Highlight Holidays
Commemorate holidays year-round by displaying themed colours – red and green for Christmas, orange and purple for Halloween, etc.
The options are truly endless with smart bulbs. Take some time to experiment with the colour wheel and see what unique combinations you can come up with!
Troubleshooting Smart Bulb Colour Issues
While smart bulb colour changing is usually straightforward, you may occasionally run into issues. Here are some common problems and solutions:
Problem: Bulb won’t connect to Wi-Fi
- Solution: Double check Wi-Fi password entered in the app. Move bulb closer to the router. Restart router/bulb.
Problem: App can’t find bulbs
- Solution: Re-add bulbs in the app. Check Wi-Fi connection. Update the app and bulb firmware.
Problem: Colours appear wrong
- Solution: Adjust colour temperature setting in the app (makes whites warmer/cooler). Play with brightness level. Calibrate colours in the app.
Problem: Bulb won’t turn on
- Solution: Check light switch is on. Make sure bulb is screwed in fully. Toggle power off/on at fuse box.
Problem: Bulb flashing or flickering
- Solution: Loosen and re-tighten bulb to ensure good connection. Move bulb away from any obstructions.
For any issues not resolved with basic troubleshooting, consult the support section in your smart bulb’s app or contact the manufacturer directly. With good quality bulbs, technical problems are rare.
Conclusion
Changing the colour of your smart lights is a fun way to create the perfect ambience in your home. Each smart bulb brand has a unique app, but the overall process of choosing colours and adjusting brightness is quite similar. Use the built-in colour wheel and presets to find colours that suit your mood or activities. Experiment with different rooms and lighting scenes to see what works best. With the right smart bulbs and app set up, you’ll enjoy the limitless possibilities of customisable colour lighting.