The Brief
A design-focused couple in a 2-bedroom JLT apartment had been frustrated by their lighting since they moved in. Bright cool-white downlights everywhere, no dimmers, the living room felt like a dental clinic in the evening. As renters, they couldn't change the fixtures or do any rewiring.
The brief was simple — make the apartment feel warm and intentional in the evenings, and make it work with the TV and music for movie nights. All without modifying anything the landlord could see.
The Build
14 Hue White and Color bulbs in existing fixtures
Every E27 and GU10 fitting in the living, dining, master, second bedroom and entry got a Hue bulb. The existing wall switches stay on permanently — control happens through scenes, the app, or three Hue Tap dial switches placed by the entrance, sofa and bed.
4 Hue Lightstrip Pluses for accent
Behind the TV, under the kitchen counter, behind the headboard, and along the dining bench seating. The strips add color wash that defines each zone in the open-plan apartment.
Scene set tuned to the apartment
We sat with the couple for an evening and tuned eight scenes to their actual rooms. Morning Coffee. Working. Dinner. Movie. Late Read. Date Night. Party. Wind Down. Each scene specific to which lights, what color temperature, what brightness in each zone.
Hue Sync Box for entertainment
The TV runs through a Hue Sync Box. Movies, games and music all pulse the room's lighting in real time. The lighting makes a cinema room out of an open-plan living area.
Home Assistant for advanced automation
A Hue Bridge handles the lights. Home Assistant on top adds schedules tied to sunset, vacation mode, and presence-based scenes that activate when the front door opens.
The Outcome
- Total scope: AED 4,800 including all hardware, install, and the evening of scene tuning.
- Apartment finally feels warm. The owner's first message after the install: "I can finally relax in my own living room."
- Zero modifications. Bulbs screw into existing fixtures. Wall switches untouched. Everything packs into a box when the lease ends.
- Cinema mode out of an open-plan. The Sync Box transforms movie nights without a separate room.
- Eight scenes the couple actually uses. Tuned to their specific layout, not generic presets.
This project is part of our Philips Hue work and our smart lighting service.