There’s just something about gameday energy—the snacks, the atmosphere, the hype. And while nothing quite beats a tailgate with friends, I’ve found a way to bring that same vibe right into my living room using smart home automation. If you’ve already invested in smart tech, chances are you’re only scratching the surface of what it can do.
Sure, having voice-activated lights or a smart speaker that plays your favorite playlist is neat. But when you combine smart devices into creative routines or “automations,” your home starts to work with you, not just for you.
Whether you're team Google or an Alexa fan, both ecosystems offer built-in automation tools—and with a little outside help from platforms like IFTTT, the possibilities multiply.
Let me walk you through some of the most fun, practical, and downright clever ways I’ve used smart home automations, including my personal favorite: turning up the gameday energy like never before.
Getting Started With Smart Home Automation (Even If You're Not Tech-Savvy)
You don’t have to be a tech wizard to get started. Apps like Google Home and Amazon Alexa come with pre-built routines to help you dip your toes into the automation pool. Want your lights to dim at sunset or the coffee maker to kick on at sunrise? Easy.
But when you’re ready to level up, that’s where third-party services like IFTTT (short for “If This, Then That”) really shine. IFTTT connects over 1,000 platforms—think Philips Hue, Facebook, Govee, and more—so you can build custom automations that go beyond what Alexa or Google can do on their own.
Even better? IFTTT now uses AI to create automations based on plain-English instructions. Just tell it what you want to happen, and it builds the steps for you—no coding required.
1. Stay One Step Ahead of the Weather
Living in an area where the weather can flip in an instant, I created an automation that gives me a heads-up before bad weather hits.
Here’s how it works:
An hour before rain is expected, I get a notification on my phone. At the same time, my Govee Floor Lamp turns blue—a subtle but unmistakable visual cue to bring in the cushions or cover the grill.
How I set it up:
I asked the IFTTT AI to build it:
“Send me a text and turn my floor lamp blue if rain is forecast in the next hour.”
A few seconds later, I had a working automation I could tweak as needed. Simple, powerful, and surprisingly useful.
2. Outsmart Repetitive Kids' Music (Your Sanity Will Thank You)
If you’ve got kids, you’ve probably heard that song on repeat. You know the one. For me, it was “Baby Shark.” My son figured out how to ask Alexa for it. Again. And again. And again.
The fix?
I created a smart routine that intercepts the request and blocks it before it plays.
How to set it up:
In either the Google Home or Amazon Alexa app:
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Add a new custom routine.
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Choose your voice as the trigger.
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Enter the exact phrase (like “Play Baby Shark”).
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Set the follow-up action—like having the speaker reply, “Sorry, that song’s unavailable right now.”
Boom. Alexa becomes the bad guy, and you get a break.
3. Make Alarms That Actually Get You Out of Bed
Let’s be real—most of us snooze the alarm more than we’d like to admit. So I created a wake-up routine that’s impossible to ignore.
At 6 a.m. sharp, not only does my alarm sound, but:
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The bedroom lights ramp up to full brightness.
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My smart speaker plays “It’s a Beautiful Morning” by The Rascals at 75% volume.
Pro tip:
You can customize every detail—time, lights, volume, song—right inside the Google or Alexa app. No external tools needed.
4. Set the Mood When the Game’s On
This one’s my favorite. Using Alexa Sports, I created a routine that kicks in when my team’s game begins.
Here’s what happens:
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Alexa announces that it’s game time.
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The TV powers on automatically.
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Volume adjusts to the perfect level.
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The Govee Floor Lamp switches to red for that extra hype.
It’s a small thing, but it transforms the entire experience. And when friends come over? They’re blown away every time.
Automation Isn’t Just About Tech—It’s About Lifestyle
The best part of building out smart home automations is that it’s all about you. Want your porch lights to blink green when a package arrives? Done. Need the coffee pot to start when you silence your morning alarm? Easy.
What makes automations powerful isn’t their complexity—it’s how seamlessly they fit into your daily routine.
And as platforms like IFTTT keep evolving with features like AI-powered routines, you’ll spend less time tinkering and more time enjoying the little moments that make life easier—and way more fun.
Your smart home has a ton of potential just waiting to be unlocked. By combining your favorite devices with thoughtful automations, you can turn everyday routines into something a bit more magical. Whether you're prepping for a storm, escaping a song loop, or bringing the energy on gameday, the power is literally at your fingertips.
So go ahead—build a routine that makes you smile every day. Your future self will thank you.