Skip The Expensive Philips Hue Bulbs And Try An IKEA Lighting Hack Instead

Lighting in a house is more than just illumination. The way you use lights can help you create a welcoming environment, help you see better for safety, plus even affect your mood and well-being. Today, homeowners and renters have endless options for lights, and gone are the days of just turning on a simple bulb. Now WiFi-enabled light bulbs, or smart lights, can help personalize your home, letting you set schedules for your lighting or add ambiance for certain activities, such as movies. 

One of the most prominent smart bulbs on the market is the Philips Hue system ($179.99), which consists of a box known as a bridge which connects to your home's WiFi, and then the corresponding bulbs which connect to the bridge. If you have Philips Hue in your home, then you likely know how much replacement bulbs cost. Fortunately, an IKEA lighting hack lets you get the same Hue experience of a cozy tableside lamp without the costly price. You can buy an IKEA TRÅDFRI WiFi light bulb ($21.99) and FADO table lamp ($29.99), then pair them to your Hue bridge.

Swapping in your IKEA smart bulbs lets you enjoy the benefits of Hue without the high price tag for additional lights, nor the need to purchase the IKEA hub. Using smart lights can level up your home with valuable benefits such as highlighting certain areas of your space and using color temperature to improve your sleep routine. If you want to expand your Hue system with IKEA smart lights, here's how.

The ability to pair non-Philips light bulbs with the Hue system is one important factor in the comparison between IKEA and Philips smart lights for consumers. If you've never tried to add an IKEA bulb to your Hue lights, now is the time. First, make sure your Hue app has the latest hardware update so connection is easier. Next, insert the IKEA TRÅDFRI light bulb inside of the IKEA FADO light. With the light bulb close to the Hue bridge, click the switch on the FADO six to seven times for a factory reset and to help connect. Once you see the IKEA bulb appear as an option, you should be able to control it with the Hue app.

The IKEA TRÅDFRI bulbs are available in color spectrum ($17.99) and white versions ($9.99), so you can customize your FADO light scheme how you like. You can add the globe light to your sleep routine, incorporating shades of red into your lighting to help you sleep. Use the Hue app and customize it so that the light gets dimmer as the night continues, and then as a sunrise lamp to help wake you up. IKEA smart lights can also connect to other smart home devices such as Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa.