Living room smart kit: lighting, TV power and one-touch scenes
Updated
Smart bulbs, plugs, a power strip and a button for scenes: a plug-in shopping list for a living room, with realistic prices, renter-friendly choices and a note on securing the TV.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links to Amazon on this page are affiliate links: buying through them costs you nothing extra.
Before you buy
Check before you buy
- Choose one ecosystem or Matter so that bulbs, plugs, the strip and the button show up in the same app.
- Count lamps and note the bulb base and shade. Smart bulbs run warm inside closed fixtures; check the bulb’s label for enclosed use.
- Add the watts printed on the TV stand devices and keep the total below the strip’s rating. ESFI advises matching the wattage rating of the appliance with the cord and not daisy-chaining multiple-outlet devices.
- Keep the wall switch on. A smart bulb cannot answer voice or schedules when its switch is off. Place a button, or tape the switch with a cover.
Energy and the TV stand
The Department of Energy says LEDs use at least 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times longer. For the TV stand, estimate use as watts times hours divided by 1,000. A stack that draws 20 W in standby for 24 hours a day uses 175 kWh a year, about $32 at 18 cents per kWh. Measure the real figure with an energy-monitoring plug before deciding how much the strip saves.
Secure the TV
Tip-overs are a real hazard in homes with children. The CPSC reports 459 tip-over deaths of children 17 and younger from 2000 to 2018, with 93 percent involving children 5 and younger, and about 11,000 children a year treated in emergency rooms in 2016–2018. Its advice: anchor TVs and furniture to the wall, place TVs on a sturdy, low base, and keep remotes and toys off furniture where children might climb.
Placement
| Spot | Device |
|---|---|
| Sofa side table and reading chair | Smart bulbs in lamps |
| Corner or bookshelf | Smart plug on a floor lamp or fan |
| TV stand | Smart power strip, optional IR remote |
| Behind the TV | LED strip, anchored TV |
| Armrest or side table | Scene button |
Core items
Tunable-white smart bulbs × 3
$8–$20Replace the bulbs in the lamps you use at night. Warm white for evening, cooler white for reading, all dimmable from the app or by voice.
What to look for: E26 base, 800 lumens or more, dimmable, tunable white, Matter or your ecosystem, listed safety mark
See options on AmazonSmart plugs × 2
$10–$25Control lamps that take a special bulb, a floor fan or a decorative light. One plug per device, named by location.
What to look for: 15 A rating, compact body that leaves the second outlet free, Matter or your ecosystem, local control
See options on AmazonSmart power strip for the TV stand
$25–$60Turns the TV, soundbar, console and streaming box off together, and keeps one outlet on for a network box or recorder.
What to look for: individually controlled outlets, at least one always-on outlet, joule rating, listed safety mark, flat plug that fits behind furniture
See options on AmazonWireless scene button
$15–$30One press for “movie mode”: lamps dim, strip on, stack on. Works for guests who do not use the app and when the voice assistant is off.
What to look for: single, double and long press, works with your hub or Matter ecosystem, replaceable battery, adhesive or magnet mount
See options on AmazonNice to have
LED light strip for TV backlight
$20–$50Soft light behind the TV reduces the contrast between a bright screen and a dark wall. Choose adhesive backing for rentals.
What to look for: length for your TV (measure the back edge), adhesive that removes cleanly, plug-in supply, physical remote or app
See options on AmazonUniversal IR smart remote
$20–$40Lets voice and routines control TVs, soundbars and fans that only have an infrared remote.
What to look for: learns codes from your remote, covers 360 degrees, works with your ecosystem
See options on AmazonTV and furniture anchor straps
$8–$25Secures the TV and tall furniture to the wall. A good addition for any home with young children or climbers.
What to look for: rated for the weight of your TV or furniture, anti-tip straps for a TV stand, fasteners for your wall type; ask your landlord about wall anchors if you rent
See options on AmazonPresence or motion sensor
$15–$40Turns lights on at dusk when someone enters and off after a set time without movement.
What to look for: Zigbee, Thread or Wi-Fi to match your system, adjustable timeout, ceiling or shelf mount
See options on AmazonStep by step
- Pick the ecosystem or Matter controller you will use and update its app.
- Screw in the bulbs and add each to the app; name them “Sofa lamp”, “Reading lamp” and so on.
- Plug in the smart plugs and name them by lamp or fan. Check the label for the maximum load.
- Connect the TV stand to the smart strip, with the router or recorder on an always-on outlet.
- Create a “Movie” scene: lamps to 20 percent warm white, strip on, TV stack on. Create a “Good night” scene that turns everything off.
- Assign the button: single press for Movie, double press for Good night, long press for all lights on.
- Anchor the TV and tall furniture to the wall.
Cheaper or upgraded versions
Budget version, about $35–$75: two smart plugs and a smart bulb for the main lamp, with a voice speaker you already own. Add a strip later.
Upgrade, about $250–$500: a smart dimmer for the ceiling fixture (a licensed electrician if unsure), a motorized shade or blind motor, and a smart display for scenes and video calls.
Frequently asked questions
Do smart bulbs work in any lamp?
Most lamps with a standard E26 base work. Check the maximum wattage and whether the fixture is enclosed. Smart bulbs run warm in tight enclosures.
Can I take this kit with me if I move?
Yes. Nothing in the kit needs tools, and everything plugs in or sticks on, so you can remove it and take it to your next place.
Will the smart strip work during a power outage?
No. Outlets lose power along with the home unless you plug the strip into a UPS. Keep the router on a separate battery backup if you want Wi-Fi during short outages.
Do I need a hub?
Not if you pick Wi-Fi devices or Matter devices over Wi-Fi. Thread devices need a Thread border router, which many speakers and streaming boxes include.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver — LED lighting
- U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver — Estimating appliance and home electronic energy use
- Anchor It (CPSC) — Latest tip-over statistics
- Electrical Safety Foundation International — Extension cord safety tips
- U.S. DOE Building America / NREL — Laboratory evaluation of advanced power strips