5 cool things to do with color smart lights

June 16, 2021

Smart lighting is known for its versatility, easy controls, and millions of colors of light — but what can you do with all those colors? Check out these tips for getting the most out of your color-capable smart lights.

The Hue Labs colorloop formula cycles your lights through various colors and levels of brightness, offering a unique lighting experience. The lights slowly fade from one color to another for the amount of time you choose. Skip the party decor — set the colorloop formula and decorate the space for your next party or get-together with light instead!

With a Hue Bridge, you can unlock one of the most exciting Philips Hue features: syncing your lights to the content on your screen. Possible with color-capable lights only, this feature allows the lights in groups of lights called Entertainment areas to mimic what’s happening on your TV or computer, creating a light show unlike any other. 

There are two ways to use this feature: with your PC and with your TV. To get started, you’ll need to download the Hue Sync app. Use the desktop version to sync your lights with your computer screen or the Hue Sync mobile app paired with a Hue sync box to let your lights sync with your TV.

Bright idea: Hosting a party? Get your guests talking — and dancing! — by syncing your lights to your playlist. Use Music mode in the Hue Sync mobile or desktop app and watch as your lights dance, brighten, dim, and change color with the beat. 

Using colorful light can certainly help get you into the right mood — but it can also be part of your home’s interior design. Cast color light under your bookshelves using lightstrips, creating an atmospheric backlight for your books and ornaments. Create an eye-catching feature by directing color light at plants or art, or shine colorful light on bare walls for a unique wall-washing effect.

Bright idea: For a more dynamic experience, try the Hue Labs living scenes formulas. This formula gently cycles through the colors of a hand-selected color palette, such as the Autumn or Cozy home living scenes.

Instead of sticking to simple white light for your timers, use color light to remind you what the timers was set for. Flood the living room in purple light to tell the kids to finish up that last game before bedtime — switch to a deeper purple five minutes later to let them know time’s up. For the eco-conscious, you can use your lights to keep you on track: set a timer for your shower, turning your lights red (or green!) when you’ve gone over your set time limit.

Turn your outdoor space into distinct destinations using preset light scenes in the Hue app. For a perfect backdrop to sushi takeout, light your backyard in the vibrant red, blue, and purple lights of the Osaka light scene. Banish any vacation blues by bringing the beach back home with the Honolulu or Palm Beach scenes — or cool things down on a humid night with Arctic aurora.