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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