What’s your biggest “I over-engineered this” smart home setup?

[Alan]

What’s your biggest “I over-engineered this” smart home setup, and what did you simplify it to later? I think a lot of us have at least one automation that started as “this will be cool” and turned into a fragile mess.

What was the original plan, and what was the symptom that made you finally simplify it? Too many conditions, too many integrations, random false triggers, delays, household complaints, or just constant babysitting.

If you can, share the simplified version you ended up with and why it’s better. New members can learn a lot from seeing what people cut out, not just what they add.

 

[Templar_Angelo]

Mine was “perfect” motion lighting with like 8 conditions and 3 fallbacks. It worked until it didn’t, and the symptom was delays and random misses. I simplified to one good motion sensor, one brightness rule, and a manual override button, and it’s boring but it actually works.

 

[LightningPandoria]

I over engineered my “good morning” routine with like 10 conditions and it failed all the time. One sensor would miss and nothing would happen. I simplified it to a single button plus a basic weekday schedule and it’s way better.

 

[PeppyBlueBear]

Mine was lighting that changed color temp every hour plus motion rules in every room. It looked cool but my family hated the constant changes. I cut it to two scenes day and night and only use motion in hallways.