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After having finished our dining room, we decided that a couple of tall floor-standing lamps either side of the French Window would really look nice. And they do. Unfortunately they are both plugged into their own 13a socket and there's no tidy way of running a cable any other way. And it's a right pain getting round to switch them on and off.
What I want is a physical switch on the wall adjacent to the main ceiling light switch (which is also close enough to a 13a socket located above a counter top) that will operate the lamps. I don't want to use an app on my phone.
So far everybody I've asked has given me a different answer, made it sound complicated and expensive, and on further questioning has only heard about it from somebody who may or may not have succeeded in getting it to work. And this includes my normal electrical wholesaler.
So, the question is, can I get a bluetooth or wifi bulb that can be controlled by a switch on the wall? And doesn't cost a fortune and require bulky controllers around the place.
This is made all the more annoying because when I re-did the living room last December I made sure that the 2 picture lights, 2 table lamps, 3 downlighters in the bookcase and a 5a socket for a Christmas tree (or other lamp) are all controlled by a single wall switch.
So, the question is, can I get a bluetooth or wifi bulb that can be controlled by a switch on the wall? And doesn't cost a fortune and require bulky controllers around the place.
Ikea do remote bulbs and the controller is quite small and elegant. I am not sure if a single controller can be set to control two bulbs though, but I don't see why not.
Edit: This is what I mean
And the description says:
Use the DIRIGERA hub and the IKEA Home smart app to match your lighting to the rhythm of the day, control multiple lamps as one – and let them switch on and off automatically so it looks like someone’s home when you’re away.
That's a good start! Has anybody got one?
Philips do one as well
Hue Dimmer Switch - Smart Remote Control | Philips Hue
Personally I wouldn't normally buy any Philips product as I generally find them gash but their lightling stuff tends to be very good. I haven't used it but if I was trying to solve your problem then this is the line I would go down or I would go down the Ikea line if I was a bit more cash strapped but usually I avaoid Ikea unless I'm stuck
You can definitely do it, but in most cases will need a smart home hub of some description. With the hub you'll also be able to turn them off automatically under certain condition etc which can be useful (amongst infinite other options if you wanted to expand the smart home devices, sensors etc you have).
I've used Ikea stuff with Home Assistant and it works reliably. I've not used the Ikea hub mentioned though.
You say you don’t want a phone app. Would Alexa be acceptable to you, simple voice command ? We have most of our lamps controlled that way, though also on schedules on the Hive.
I have some of these from Ikea. I've been using them with Home Assistant, but I can confirm that a spare one works well with its included remote and no extra controller; and that the remote can be paired to a second smart plug so they turn on and off together (instructions included, but all I did was hold down the reset button inside the remote until it flashed then held it next to the second plug I wanted it to control). The remote also has adhesive pads and a magnetic wall bracket if you want it mounted on the wall.
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/tretakt-plug-with-remote-control-smart-30569726/
We don't have Alexa and as we've got a very good Yamaha streaming amp that I control with their MusicCast app, there's no appetite for one.
The Ikea Tretakt looks promising, thanks Toby.
I have a cheap simple piezo-electric clicker thing for one of our awfully-wired lights. Works a treat, no battery required.
I've ordered a couple of the Ikea plugs. The Tretakt ones weren't available but there are some called Grillplats that seem to do a similar job.
Thanks all.
Tp-link do WiFi lightbulbs. They need to be plugged in and switched on, but that stays on and you can control via an app to switch on or off.
I'd suggest putting a smart speaker in the room so you can set a voice command to turn the lights on (or off).
However, that may not be suitable.
Ikea's smart home stuff is incredibly good value.
The alternative is a piezo switch (doesn't need a battery or wiring) and a socket. I was really impressed when I saw these, one of those 'surely that can't work reliably' moments but it seems simple and foolproof. Friends reversed a door and used this rather than having the wall chased out and the switch for the bathroom light moved. But because theres no power connection you can safely use these inside a bathroom anyway (or outside).
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/QUWS1W.html?
Kinetic switch and kinetic smart plugs.
Quinetic(brand) switch and a couple of wireless receivers attached to the lamps after the plugs would be my go to, available from tlc direct electrical wholesalers online. If you’re confident then get the switch type that goes into a grid plate style switch and change your 1 gang switch to a 2 gang to keep everything neat
Try these.
I’m not familiar with the brand but a lot of these things are the same under the skin and I’ve been happy with some similar products from Meross etc
Can confirm that most of the IKEA standalone remotes will control between 8 and (i think) 16 devices without using a hub or phone app, the remote, pairs to the devices directly.
You could have got dimmable bulbs as well and controlled them from the remote. But switches will work well on/off.
IKEA smart home stuff really is stonking value for money. I’ve currently got 62 of their bulbs, sockets, switches and sensors all over the house controlled through home assistant
you’ll start with 2 lamps and a switch but it quickly escalates
join us!!!
I have smart wifi bulbs and sockets which I control through Google home speakers. It works well but sounds OTT and expensive for your requirement of simply switching lamps on with a wall switch. Someone mentioned these?
I have a cheap simple piezo-electric clicker thing for one of our awfully-wired lights. Works a treat, no battery required.
I think that is your best option. These from Amazon (probably available elsewhere) will solve your problem cheaply and effectively, without having to replace any bulbs and without having to go down the whole smart home rabbit hole.
The ones I've linked to above use batteries but you can get piezo switches which never need batteries changing. Example.