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I should have updated my home lighting way sooner.
It just wasn't something I thought about… I can see stuff? Cool, good enough, right?
WRONG.
Your lights set something important: mood.
Best Overall
Nanoleaf Shapes
Modern Class
Nanoleaf Shapes have managed to handle everything I throw at it. Modular, hassle-free set-up? Check. Slick animations? Boom. Music and desktop sync? Done.
Yeah, mood is important! It can make a space well-lit and productive, or dim and relaxed, or colorful and fun. There's a lot that happens in your home, and it should rise to every occasion.
What I Looked For
- Color Smart lights need to have the full gamut of colors and animate between them smoothly.
- Connectivity I want to be able to access my lights quickly and easily. Fast connections are a must!
- Features Great, I can turn my lights fun colors. But can they sync to music or my TV?
- Price These things can get expensive once you get a lot of them!
This is kinda why I like hotels. They have to consider the space being used for everything. So, I've been trying to make my home look and feel more like a hotel. You know… clean, but approachable. Sharp. Stylish. There's a lot of thought that goes into it, but the biggest thing to me is lighting.
After years of testing lights, these are the ones that made the cut…
1. Nanoleaf Shapes
Nanoleaf Shapes have transformed my living space. They've turned my walls into a canvas that I can splash color onto whenever and however I want. The real fun has been in designing the layout. I've got so much creative freedom in making these tiles fit every room in my house.
Whenever I have friends over, these lights become a conversation piece.
"How do they work?"
"Woah, they can DO THAT?!"
"I have to get these."
It's the same comments every time. It's a good thing I can't shut up about these lights!
Best Overall
Nanoleaf Shapes
Modern Class
Nanoleaf Shapes have managed to handle everything I throw at it. Modular, hassle-free set-up? Check. Slick animations? Boom. Music and desktop sync? Done.
2. Govee Neon LED Strip Light
These flexible light strips are great for snaking around challenging corners and providing even, diffuse light. You can also design them into funky shapes to put them front and center.
Govee Neon LED Strip Light
Bendy Light
A flexible light for all of the nooks and crannies in your house.
3. Philips Hue Infuse Ceiling Lamp
Philips makes some great smart lights. They're especially good at making lamps that fit naturally with my home decor. This ceiling lamp pulls off loads of style while still having the smarts I'm looking for.
4. Sengled Amber Vintage Filament Bulbs
Some of my fixtures show off bare bulbs, and for those I love having filament bulbs. I know, it's old-school, but there's a charm to it. Luckily, there's nothing old-school about the LED power efficiency and smartphone app.
5. LIFX Bulb
I really like LIFX bulbs because I can plug them into my existing lamps without having to get a separate hub to connect them. They work directly with Wi-Fi, which simplifies a lot of the connectivity.
Nanoleaf Sets the Scene
If I had to pick only one light to go with, it would have to be Nanoleaf Shapes. They're so extensible that I could fill my home with them top to bottom and have them work great. The app is super slick, and I can connect them to all of my gadgets — iPhone, Android, PC, you name it.
Best Overall
Nanoleaf Shapes
Modern Class
Nanoleaf Shapes have managed to handle everything I throw at it. Modular, hassle-free set-up? Check. Slick animations? Boom. Music and desktop sync? Done.
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