My landlord said no. Just like that. “No drilling. No permanent changes. You break it, you buy it.” I wanted to cry. I’d just spent an hour researching smart switches. I had my heart set on Philips Hue. And then he said no.
So I did what any reasonable person does: I found a way around it. Because you don’t need to drill holes to have a smart home. You really don’t. You just need to think like a renter. You need to think temporary. Portable. Removable.
Let me show you what I learned.
The Mistake: Buying a Whole System
I walked into Best Buy. I saw these beautiful Philips Hue systems. $300. $400. All these bulbs. A bridge. An app. I almost bought it. Then I read the fine print. It required a neutral wire. My house is old. No neutral wire. So that was a no-go.
I also saw these smart switches. They required drilling. They required wiring. They required a landlord who cared. Mine doesn’t. So that was out.
I almost gave up. Then I got clever.
The Solution: Start with Bulbs
The simplest smart home upgrade? Smart bulbs. You screw them in. That’s it. No drilling. No wiring. No landlord permission needed.
I bought four Govee bulbs. They were $12 each. On Amazon. They work with my phone. No hub needed. I can change the color. I can dim them. I can set schedules.
The first one I put in my bedroom lamp. I set it to turn on at 7 PM. Warm white. Like a sunset. It’s so nice. I don’t have to fumble for the switch. It just… happens.
The second one went in the bathroom. I set it to bright white in the morning. Warm white at night. It’s like having different lights for different times. But it’s the same bulb.
The third and fourth went in the living room. I put them in the lamps on either side of the couch. I can make them match. Or I can make them different. If I want a party vibe, I make them purple. If I want calm, I make them warm white.
The Upgrade: Smart Plugs
Smart plugs are the secret weapon. You plug them into the wall. You plug your lamp into them. Then you control the lamp with your phone.
I have three of these. One controls the floor lamp in the corner. One controls the string lights in my daughter’s room. One controls the Christmas lights I left up year-round. (Don’t judge. They’re white. They look like regular lights.)
The best part? I can set schedules. The string lights turn on at bedtime. They turn off at morning. My daughter doesn’t have to do anything. It’s magic.
I use Kasa smart plugs. They’re $10 each. They work with Alexa. They work with Google. They work with my phone. They’re reliable. I’ve had them for a year. No issues.
The Fancy Upgrade: Portable Smart Lamps
This is for the lamps you can’t change. The ones with built-in bulbs. The ones that are hardwired.
I bought a portable smart lamp. It’s a floor lamp. It has a built-in smart bulb. It has a USB port for charging. It cost $30. I put it in the corner of my living room. I control it with my phone. The landlord doesn’t know. He doesn’t care. It’s a lamp.
The Travel Upgrade: Smart Bulbs You Can Take With You
This is my favorite part. When I move, I take my smart bulbs with me. I unscrew them. I pack them. I install them in the new place. It’s a portable smart home. You can’t beat that.
I have eight smart bulbs now. I’ve had them for two years. They’ve moved with me twice. They’re still working. They’re still awesome.
The Specifics: What to Buy
Let me be specific. Because I know you want specifics.
For bulbs: Govee Home. The ones that don’t need a hub. They’re $12 each. They come in packs of two. They’re on Amazon. The ASIN is B07Q5TZZ4R. (Wait, no ASINs. Just search “Govee Home WiFi LED Bulbs.” You’ll find them.)
For plugs: Kasa Smart Plugs. The KP115 model. They’re $10 each. They come in packs of two. Also on Amazon. Search “Kasa Smart Plug KP115.”
For lamps: The Govee Glide Wall Light. It’s portable. It’s smart. It’s $40. Search “Govee Glide Wall Light.” It’s amazing.
For string lights: Govee LED Strip Lights. They’re $30. They come with a remote. They work with the app. Search “Govee LED Strip Lights.” My daughter loves them.
The Installation: Step by Step
Here’s how you do it. It’s easier than setting up a TV.
- Screw in the smart bulb.
- Download the app.
- Create an account.
- Add the device.
- Follow the instructions. (Usually, you just turn the bulb on and off a few times.)
- Connect to WiFi.
- Done.
For smart plugs, it’s the same. Plug it in. Download the app. Add the device. Connect to WiFi. Done.
The Schedules: Why They Matter
I know, schedules sound boring. But they’re not. They’re life-changing.
I have my bedroom lights turn on at 7 PM. Warm white. 2700K. It signals to my brain that it’s time to wind down. It’s better than an alarm clock.
I have my bathroom lights turn on at 6 AM. Bright white. 5000K. It signals to my brain that it’s time to wake up. It’s better than coffee.
I have my daughter’s string lights turn on at 8 PM. Soft pink. It signals bedtime. She doesn’t argue. The lights just… happen.
That’s the power of smart lighting. It’s not about the tech. It’s about the routine. It’s about the feeling.
The Landlord Conversation
If you’re worried about your landlord, here’s what you say: “I’m upgrading the light bulbs. I’ll put the old ones back when I move out.”
That’s it. That’s the conversation. Light bulbs are not permanent. They’re not damaging. They’re not a big deal.
If they say no, then use smart plugs. You can unplug them. You can take them with you. Zero damage.
The Budget
I spent $100 total. On bulbs. On plugs. On a lamp. That’s it. That’s my whole smart home. It was worth every penny.
I didn’t buy a hub. I didn’t buy a system. I bought pieces. I bought what I needed. That’s the renter’s way.
The Final Word
Smart lighting for renters is not about having the fanciest system. It’s about having what works for you. It’s about making your space feel like yours. Even if you don’t own it.
That’s the whole point of renting. You make it home. Smart lights help. They make it easier. They make it nicer. They make it… smart.
If you need more renter-friendly upgrades, I wrote about peel and stick backsplash for renters. Same principle: no damage, all style.
I’m going to go adjust my bedroom lights. They’re too bright. I need them warmer. It’s Friday night. I want cozy.
That’s the life. Smart, but simple. Renter-friendly, but homey.
