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20 Google-Powered Routines to Automate Your Smart Lighting

>Google Routines with Smart Lights

20 Google-Powered Routines
to Automate Your
Smart Lighting

September 20, 2025

by Just Tech Me At


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Introduction

Smart lighting is an easy, high-impact way to automate your home. Below are 20 routines with step-by-step setup instructions using the Google Home app and Google Assistant. Because device menus vary by brand, the steps stay intentionally generic - they show you where to tap and which actions to choose so you can adapt them to bulbs, switches, or bridges you already own.

1. Wake Up with Gradual Lighting

  • Open the Google Home app -> tap Routines -> Create.
  • Set the trigger to Time or Alarm dismiss (e.g., 7:00 AM).
  • Add action -> Adjust lights -> select bedroom lights -> set brightness to 0% -> 100% and choose a gradual ramp (10-30 minutes). If your bulb doesn't support gradual ramp, create multiple time-based steps (e.g., 6:45 -> 10%, 6:55 -> 40%, 7:00 -> 100%).
  • Save and test by temporarily changing the trigger to a near time.
  • 2. Lights Off When You Leave Home

  • Google Home -> Routines -> choose the built-in Leave home or create one named "Leaving".
  • Under actions, add Turn off lights and select all house lights or only zones you want off.
  • Optionally add a phone notification to confirm the routine ran.
  • 3. Auto-On Porch Light at Sunset

  • Create new routine -> set trigger to Sunset (with optional offset like -15 minutes).
  • Add action -> Turn on lights -> choose porch/outdoor lights -> set desired brightness.
  • Optionally add a second action to turn off at sunrise or a scheduled time.
  • 4. Nightlight for Bathroom Trips

  • Create routine -> trigger: a short voice phrase like "Nightlight" or a motion sensor event.
  • Action: Turn on hallway/bathroom lights at low brightness (10-25%).
  • Add a delay action for 5-10 minutes -> then add action to turn them off.
  • 5. Movie Mode Lighting

  • Create routine triggered by voice: "Movie time" (or a button press if supported).
  • Action: Dim living room lights to ~30% and set warm color temperature. Turn off overheads or lamps that reflect the TV.
  • Optional: Add actions to power on TV, soundbar, and close smart blinds if available.
  • 6. Vacation Mode Random Lights

  • Create multiple scheduled routines for evening windows (e.g., 6:30, 8:00, 9:15 PM) that turn different lights on/off to mimic occupancy.
  • If your bulbs support a "random" or "away" mode, enable it; otherwise stagger these schedules and vary which lights you choose each day.
  • Combine with other Home actions like playing a radio or turning on a smart plug for a small lamp.
  • 7. Flash Lights for Reminders

  • Create routine triggered by time or a voice command (e.g., "Take out trash").
  • Action: Broadcast reminder via Assistant and toggle a chosen light off/on quickly to simulate a flash (repeat 2-3 times). Note: flashing capability depends on bulb model; rapid on/off replicates the effect.
  • 8. Lights On with Alarm

  • In the Google Clock or Alarm settings, link an Assistant routine to alarm dismiss or alarm start.
  • Add action: Turn on bedroom or bathroom lights at full brightness when the alarm fires.
  • Test by setting a temporary alarm a few minutes ahead.
  • 9. The Kids' Homework Lighting

  • Create routine with voice trigger "Homework time" or a scheduled hour.
  • Action: Turn on desk lamp or study lights to bright, cool white and, optionally, play soft focus music on smart speakers.
  • 10. Lights for Guests Arrival

  • Create routine triggered by voice ("Guests are here") or by smart lock code entry.
  • Action: Turn on entryway, hallway and living room lights to welcoming brightness. Optionally trigger a brief welcome announcement on speakers.
  • 11. Bedtime Routine

  • Use the built-in Bedtime routine or create one named "Goodnight."
  • Actions: Turn off downstairs lights, dim bedroom lights to ~10%, and turn on a nightstand lamp for a short duration (e.g., 10-15 min) before it turns off.
  • 12. Cooking Mode Lighting

  • Create routine triggered by voice: "Let's cook."
  • Action: Turn on kitchen lights to full brightness (cool white) and, if available, turn on under-cabinet or task lights linked to the same group.
  • Optional: Show recipe on smart display or set a timer as part of the routine.
  • 13. Reading Corner Ambience

  • Create routine with trigger "Reading time."
  • Action: Set reading lamp to warm color, ~60% brightness. Optionally start ambient background sounds at low volume.
  • 14. Work-From-Home Focus Lights

  • Create routine triggered by voice ("Work mode") or schedule tied to your work hours.
  • Action: Set office lights to bright daylight temperature and start a focus playlist or white noise via smart speaker.
  • 15. Party Lights

  • Create routine triggered by voice ("Party time").
  • Action: Enable color cycling or set bulbs to colorful presets. Combine with multi-room music start and a notification to guests (if desired).
  • 16. Morning Coffee Routine

  • Create routine triggered by Alarm dismiss or a time (e.g., 7:05 AM).
  • Action: Turn on kitchen lights in a warm setting and activate the smart plug for your coffee maker. Add a short delay to ensure the plug warms the machine before brewing.
  • 17. Hallway Lights Motion Assist

  • Pair motion sensors with lights in the Google Home app (if both devices are compatible).
  • Create routine triggered by motion sensor activation -> Action: Turn on hallway light at low brightness for a fixed duration (e.g., 2 minutes).
  • 18. Quiet Time Lights

  • Create a scheduled routine for evening hours (e.g., 9:00 PM).
  • Action: Dim all lights to 40% and optionally pause or lower the volume of music or TV via linked devices.
  • 19. Energy Saver Lights Off

  • Create routine triggered by voice ("Save energy") or by schedule (e.g., 10:00 PM).
  • Action: Turn off all non-essential lights and keep one low-energy path light on if needed for safety.
  • 20. Welcome Home Lights

  • In Google Home -> Routines -> use the built-in Arrive home trigger or create a routine triggered by your phone's location.
  • Action: Turn on entryway and living room lights to a comfortable brightness and optionally have Assistant announce "Welcome home" on your speakers.
  • Conclusion

    These 20 routines are designed to give readers immediate, useful value - a "taste" of what smart lighting can do. Start with one or two that solve a real pain point (waking up, bedtime, or leaving home) and expand gradually. As you add more devices, blend Home-triggered automations (sensors, schedules) with Assistant-triggered personal shortcuts for the most powerful, seamless experience.

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