I get asked about smart lighting more than I used to — partly driven by Alexa / Google Home users, partly by people who want fancy mood lighting without rewiring every room. There are three real approaches in 2026 and they're very different.
Option 1: Smart Bulbs (Philips Hue, Innr, Wiz)
You replace the bulbs themselves with smart ones. The wall switches stay the same — but ideally you leave them ON all the time and control the lights from an app or voice assistant.
Strengths: cheap to start (a single bulb is £10-£40), no electrical work needed, easy to expand. Best colour control if you want RGB lighting.
Weaknesses: wall switches become a problem — if anyone flicks the switch off at the wall, the smart bulb loses connectivity until they remember to turn it back on. With multiple users and visitors, this becomes a daily annoyance.
Best for: single-user setups, rented properties (no rewiring), specific rooms (kitchen mood lighting, kids' rooms).
Option 2: Smart Switches (Lightwave, Lutron, Shelly)
You replace the wall switches themselves with smart ones. The light fittings stay the same. The switch controls power AND has app/voice control built in.
Strengths: works perfectly with normal bulbs, the wall switch always works as expected (so visitors aren't confused), one switch can control multiple bulbs as a group, professional install gives a neat finish.
Weaknesses: more expensive (typically £30-£60 per switch + install time), most smart switches need a neutral wire at the switch position which older UK homes often don't have (1960s-80s wiring particularly). I can usually run a neutral as part of the install but it adds 30-60 mins per switch.
Best for: whole-home installs, multi-user households, anyone wanting smart lighting that "just works" for everyone.
Option 3: WiFi Switches Behind the Light Fitting (Shelly 1, Sonoff)
A small WiFi relay module goes inside the ceiling rose or behind the existing wall switch. The original switch stays, but it now also reports to your network and can be controlled remotely.
Strengths: invisible (no aesthetic change), retains all original wall switches, modular — start with one room, add more later. Works with whatever bulbs you already have.
Weaknesses: tricky to install for non-electricians (lots of bulbs in the ceiling void = tight space, neutral required), reliability varies by brand (Shelly is good, no-name Amazon options are not), more setup work in the app.
Best for: people who want smart control without changing how the house looks. I install Shelly modules for this — they're reliable and have good local-network control as well as cloud.
What I Actually Recommend
For a typical 3-bed home wanting whole-house smart lighting: I install smart switches throughout (Lightwave or Lutron). Cost: £400-£800 depending on switch count. Half-day to a day of work.
For someone who wants smart lighting in specific rooms only: smart bulbs in those rooms. £100-£300 for a typical kitchen / bedroom setup.
For someone who wants invisible smart control and is happy with one app: Shelly modules behind the existing fittings. Best of both worlds, but more install time.
Quote / Book
I install all three approaches across Pinner, Hemel Hempstead, Harrow, Watford and the surrounding area. Happy to walk through what would work best for your specific setup before quoting. Call 07405 629 940 or use the contact form.