How to Build Your Own Wake-Up Light

Discover step-by-step instructions in this comprehensive guide on creating your wake-up light experience. From choosing smart lights to transforming your mornings with Wake Up Light.
  • Plan your wake-up light

    Decide where you want to place the wake-up light and determine how many lights you need for the desired brightness level.

  • Purchase the smart lights

    Buy HomeKit-compatible smart lights that can change color temperature and are bright enough based on your preferences and budget.

  • Configure your light in Apple HomeKit

    Install, set up and connect your smart lights within the Apple Home app by following the manufacturer's instructions.

  • Install the Wake Up Light app

    Download and install Wake Up Light from the App Store. Give the app access to your home and get ready to create your first wake-up light.

  • Set up your wake-up light

    Open Wake Up Light and create your first alarm. Configure your wake-up time and add your accessories as automations to your alarm.

  • Plan for light
    • A goal without a plan is just a wish

    Plan your wake-up light

    Strategically Positioning and Illuminating Your Wake-Up Light for a Refreshing Start to Your Day
    When planning your wake-up light setup, carefully choose its location in your bedroom, considering factors like the light’s direction, available outlets, and how it complements your decor.

    When designing your wake-up light setup, consider various form factors like traditional direct lightbulbs for focused brightness, or opt for indirect options such as LED strips and wall sconces, which offer a softer, ambient glow. LED strips, in particular, provide flexibility in placement for a customizable and visually pleasing wake-up experience that matches your room’s decor.

    Ensure the light is strategically positioned to provide the desired lighting ambiance. Make sure the light is bright enough to wake you up (see the science background). Consider using smart blinds to automatically open for natural sunlight exposure.

    You need to have a home hub in your home in order to create and manage automations (see help).

    How do wake-up lights work?
    Woman taking notes while planning
  • Purchase accessories
    • Think about the value of waking up easier

    Purchase the smart lights

    Choosing the Right Smart Lights for Your Ideal Wake-Up Experience
    Purchasing the smart light is a crucial decision to create your ideal wake-up experience. Opt for a HomeKit-compatible smart light that offers color temperature adjustments, like the versatile Eve Light Strip or the Philips Hue Starter Set with Bridge. IKEA has the inexpensive Trådfri lights that work, too. Your choice should align with both your personal preferences and budget. These lights not only provide customizable color temperatures but also integrate seamlessly with your smart home ecosystem, allowing you to enjoy a personalized and energizing wake-up routine with ease.

    HomeKit compatible smart blinds are available since 2023 through Eve MotionBlinds and they are a nice addition.

    Look out for the following label on the package to get HomeKit compatible accessories:

  • Install lights
    • …and there was light.

    Configure your light in Apple HomeKit

    Setting Up Your Smart Lights with Apple HomeKit effortlessly
    Set up your smart lights within the Apple Home app. This process involves installing, configuring, and connecting your smart lights according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. By doing so, you’ll seamlessly integrate your lights into your HomeKit ecosystem, enabling convenient control and customization of your wake-up light experience through your Apple devices.
    Apple support article
  • Install the app
    • Illuminate your mornings, one tap at a time.

    Install the Wake-Up Light app

    Revitalize Your Mornings with the Wake Up Light App
    Use the following link to the Apple App Store to download Wake Up Light app. Alternatively open up the App Store on your iOS device, search for “Wake Up Light,” and tap the “Download” button – et voilà!

    Open the app and it will ask for access to your Apple Home in order to find your smart lights and other accessories like outlets and blinds. Use the time to get familiar with the app and explore its interface.

    Download App
    An iPhone showing the App Store app
  • Create your alarm
    • The start of brighter mornings

    Create your wake-up light alarm

    Crafting Your Perfect Wake-Up Moment
    With the Wake Up Light App, creating your very first wake-up light alarm is a breeze. Begin by selecting your desired wake-up time, allowing you to wake up gently at your preferred hour.

    Next, customize your schedule to repeat the experience daily or on specific days that suit your routine. Dive deeper into personalization by adding automations with your smart lights; set the color and brightness gradients to simulate the natural sunrise, gradually illuminating your room and gently nudging you awake. Your wake-up light will turn on before it reaches its target brightness and color on the time you specified as your wake-up time.

    With Wake Up Light, your mornings will be transformed into a revitalizing and energizing start to each day.

    Advanced wake-up lights

    Spice up your wake-up routine with these customizations, tips and tricks

    Consider using smart blinds

    Sunlight is the most natural light

    With the release of Wake Up Light version 4.8.0, you can now incorporate smart blinds into your wake-up schedule for an even more personalized and effective wake-up experience. Smart blinds are an excellent addition to any wake-up light setup as they allow for control over the amount of natural light that enters the room.

    For those who already have blinds in their room, the Eve MotionBlinds kit is an excellent option for upgrading to smart blinds. These blinds are HomeKit compatible, making them easy to integrate into the wake-up light setup. For those who do not have existing blinds, purchasing smart blinds that are compatible with HomeKit technology is recommended.

    When programming the wake-up schedule, it is wise to use slow openings of the blinds to minimize any disturbing noise that may be created when the blinds are opening. Additionally, finding good quality fabric that black out enough is important for blocking out external light during the night.

    Incorporating smart blinds into the wake-up schedule adds an extra layer of personalization to the wake-up experience. You can now wake up to a gradual increase in natural light from their smart lights and smart blinds, leading to a more natural and energizing start to their day.

    Measure your wake-up Light

    Understand how brightness helps you wake up

    After acquiring your smart light, it’s a essential to test it in a dark environment to ensure it meets your desired brightness levels for an effective wake-up experience. Understanding the science behind this is crucial, as brightness plays a significant role in achieving the desired effect.

    To accurately assess your light’s brightness, consider using a Lux Meter, which is readily available on platforms like Amazon. This tool will enable you to measure the intensity of the light, assisting you in finding the optimal position and brightness settings for your smart lights. By taking these steps, you’ll ensure that your wake-up light provides the ideal illumination for a refreshing and invigorating start to your day.