What silly automation do you keep because it makes you smile?

[ElliotCraig]

I love practical automations, but I’m also realizing the fun ones are what keep the hobby interesting when I’m bored. I’m talking about the totally unnecessary stuff you keep because it makes you laugh or it makes your house feel like a tiny movie set. I’m curious what everyone’s favorite useless but fun automation is, the kind you would never list as a serious feature but you would miss it if it disappeared.

A specific one I did this week is a dramatic arrival routine where the entry light goes a little brighter and a couple lights change color for a few seconds like I’m walking into a stage entrance. It’s ridiculous, but it’s also weirdly satisfying after a long day. What’s your funniest or most pointless automation that you still refuse to delete, and what made you keep it?

 

[VanderMueller]

I kept a goofy one where the hallway lights do a quick “runway” effect for like three seconds when I get home after dark. It’s dumb, but it makes me smile every time, and it’s been a nice reminder that this hobby can be fun and not just troubleshooting.

 

[LanderAuclair]

If it’s after midnight and I walk into the kitchen, the under cabinet lights go to a soft night mode for like two minutes, then fade out like the house is telling me go back to bed. I set it up “just to try it” and now I’d actually miss it.

 

[CherryL3mon]

do you guys know the You've Got Mail Mailbox? it's a sensor in the mailbox triggers an Alexa/Google speaker to play the classic AOL You've got mail sound at maximum volume when the mailman drops something off. I just think that this is funny

 

[Alan]

My useless but permanent automation is a “door open too long” warning that plays a dramatic sound and flashes a hallway light once, then stops. It is dumb, but it prevents the fridge door from staying cracked and it makes people laugh. The rule is it only triggers once per event so it does not become a nag machine.

 

[rustyn41l]

I set up a contact sensor on my liquor cabinet so that whenever it opens after 5:00 PM, my Sonos plays the first five seconds of The Final Countdown. weird? maybe! But it makes every Friday evening feel like a championship win.