2025 was, without a doubt, one of the wildest years for my Smart Home journey so far.
From teaching my house to make phone calls for me, to soldering custom hardware, here is a look back at the projects that defined 2025.
🧠 The AI Revolution in Home Assistant
The biggest theme this year was AI. We moved way beyond simple “if this, then that” logic.
- The AI Voice Bot: This is probably the project that felt most like Science Fiction. I built a bot that can actually call real-world numbers—like my doctor or hairdresser—to book appointments for me. 👉 Watch the video here
- Generative AI Guide: I broke down 10 practical ways you can use GenAI right now to make your home smarter, not just more complicated. 👉 Watch the Short
- Smart Sleep Mode: Using n8n and AI, I improved my home’s sleep detection. No more lights turning off while I’m reading, and no more lights staying on when I’m out cold. 👉 Watch the video here
🛠️ Hardware & DIY: The “Maker” Spirit
It wouldn’t be “The Smart Home Maker” without the smell of solder and PLA in the air.
- The DIY Remote: I wasn’t happy with off-the-shelf remotes, so I designed and built my own. Fully integrated, 3D-printed, and exactly how I wanted it. 👉 Watch the build
- WLED Matrix: We brought some color into the mix with a custom-built LED Matrix. It’s not just a light; it’s a status display and a mood setter in one. 👉 Watch the video here
- IKEA Fado Upgrade: Taking a classic, dumb lamp and giving it a brain (and tap control!) was one of the most satisfying quick wins of the year. 👉 Watch the video here
🔗 Integration is Key
Finally, we connected things that weren’t meant to be connected.
- Ray-Ban Meta Hack: I didn’t want to wait for official integrations, so I built a WhatsApp Chatbot to control my Home Assistant via my smart glasses. 👉 Watch the tutorial
- Smart Car Climate: I showed you how to ensure your car is perfectly tempered before you even step out the door—fully automated. 👉 Watch the video here
🎧 Community & Collaboration
I also had the pleasure of sitting down with Lukas to discuss our absolute favorite automations. If you need inspiration, this is the one to watch (or listen to!). 👉 Watch the Podcast Special
What’s next for 2026? I have even bigger plans for the coming year. We are going deeper into local AI, more advanced ESPHome projects, and making the smart home invisible.
What was your favorite project of 2025? Let me know in the comments below!
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