Smart Holiday Lighting Ideas (2025): Set the Mood from Kitchen to Living Room

Updated October 2025

Tested by Alex Rivera

Holiday hosting is smoother when lighting works like stage cues: bright white for prep, warm dim for dinner, and cool bright for cleanup. Below we share practical scene “recipes” for kitchen, dining/living, and outdoor/entry — with sample voice phrases for both Alexa and Google Assistant. If you’re choosing hardware, start with our Smart Bulbs & Lighting guide and our smart dimmer switches guide for wall control.

Why holiday lighting scenes matter

• Timing: Automatically shift from “Prep” to “Serve” to “Cleanup” without touching a switch.
• Ambience: Warm-white dining lights with accent strips make food look better and guests feel relaxed.
• Wayfinding: Hall and entry lights help guests move safely during dessert and cleanup.
• Energy: Dimming + motion reduces waste; schedule outdoor scenes to shut off overnight.

Gear picks and routine ideas pair well with our Holiday Cooking Hacks guide (voice automations) and the Thanksgiving gadgets guide (time-savers in the kitchen).

Kitchen Scenes: Bright for Prep, Crisp for Cleanup

Goal: High-CRI task light for prep, then cooler, brighter light for cleanup. Use bulbs for color temperature and dimers for easy, household-friendly wall control. See our smart bulb recommendations and our smart dimmer switches guide for wiring tips.

Scene: “Prep Mode”

• Bulbs/strips: Neutral white 4000–4500K at 90–100% brightness.
• Voice (Alexa): “Alexa, turn on Prep Mode.”
• Voice (Google): “Hey Google, prep mode.”
• Automation: Start kettle on smart plug and playlist at low volume.

Scene: “Cleanup Mode”

• Bulbs/strips: Cool white 5000–6000K at 90% brightness to spot spills.
• Voice (Alexa): “Alexa, cleanup mode.”
• Voice (Google): “Hey Google, cleanup mode.”
• Automation: Trigger robot vacuum zone clean and start dishwasher if supported.

Wall Control

Best Smart Dimmer Switches (Our Guide)

Tactile control everyone can use — with reliable scenes and schedules. We cover Lutron Caseta, Kasa, Leviton, and more.

Pros

• Works even if Wi-Fi drops
• Great for multi-user households

Cons

• Requires wiring (check neutral availability)

See Top Picks

Dining & Living Scenes: Warm, Relaxed, Photo-Friendly

Goal: Make food look great and faces flattering. Target 2700–3000K for dinner and 2200–2400K for candlelight vibes. Add an accent strip behind a sideboard or TV for depth.

Scene: “Serve Dinner”

• Bulbs/strips: Warm white 2700–3000K at 40–60% brightness; accent strip at 20–30% amber.
• Voice (Alexa): “Alexa, serve dinner.”
• Voice (Google): “Hey Google, serve dinner.”
• Automation: Fade-in over 10 minutes; start a low-volume playlist.

Scene: “Dessert & Games”

• Bulbs/strips: Warm-dim 2400K at 30–40% with color accents for photo moments.
• Voice (Alexa): “Alexa, dessert time.”
• Voice (Google): “Hey Google, dessert time.”
• Automation: Announce “Coffee’s ready” on speakers; switch smart plug for warmer.

Smart Plug

Alexa/Google Compatible Smart Plug

Use for coffee warmers, lamps, or the tree. Add to “Dessert” and “Goodnight” routines for effortless on/off control.

Pros

• Cheap way to automate décor
• Works with voice and schedules

Cons

• Heater appliances must be within wattage limits

Check Price

Outdoor & Entry: Safe, Festive, and Energy Smart

Goal: Give guests a welcoming path with motion lighting and keep decorations on a schedule. Use an outdoor smart plug for the tree and porch lights.

Scene: “Welcome Guests”

• Porch light: Warm white 2700K at 80% brightness; motion turns to 100% for 5 minutes.
• Pathway lights: On at sunset; off at midnight.
• Voice (Alexa): “Alexa, welcome guests.”
• Voice (Google): “Hey Google, welcome guests.”

Scene: “Goodnight House”

• Turn off tree and window candles; dim hallway to 10% nightlight.
• Voice (Alexa): “Alexa, goodnight house.”
• Voice (Google): “Hey Google, goodnight house.”

How to build scenes in Alexa and Google Home (quick steps)

Both platforms support scenes and routines. We like naming scenes after phases (“Prep,” “Serve,” “Cleanup”) so they’re easy to say with messy hands.

Alexa

1. Open Alexa app → Devices → Lights, group kitchen/dining lights by zone.
2. Create Scenes for “Prep,” “Serve,” and “Cleanup” with brightness and color temp.
3. Build Routines that: set the scene, start music, toggle smart plugs, and announce key moments.

Google Assistant

1. Open Google Home → Automations, create an Automation with triggers (sunset, voice).
2. Add actions: set lights/strips to defined levels, toggle plugs, broadcast announcements.
3. Optional: Add time windows so “Goodnight House” only runs after 9 pm.

Need the underlying hardware plan? Compare bulbs vs switches here: Smart Switch vs Smart Bulb (2025). For wiring and setup, see our Smart Dimmer Setup Guide.

FAQ

Should I use smart bulbs or smart dimmer switches for holiday scenes

Use bulbs when you want color and fast scene changes; use dimmers when you want reliability and easy wall control for guests. Many homes mix both — bulbs for accents, dimmers for main circuits.

What color temperature looks best on food

Warm white 2700–3000K is flattering for skin and plating. Go 2200–2400K for candlelight vibes after dinner.

How do I stop guests from killing my smart bulb scenes at the switch

Install a smart dimmer or use a dimmer-compatible smart switch cover. Teach one phrase like “Serve Dinner” so anyone can restore the scene quickly.

Can I link lighting to cooking status

Yes. Tie your wireless thermometer’s “target reached” alert to a routine that warms dining lights and starts background music.

What’s the easiest way to automate the tree and window candles

Smart plugs on a sunset-to-midnight schedule. Add them to “Goodnight House” to shut off everything with one phrase.