There’s a simple tool that has the power to improve your daily life, and chances are you’re already using it in some way every day. Many of us start our day and end our day with lighting, yet we rarely give it a second thought. If the room is bright or dark enough, then it seems to have done its job but with smart lighting you can do so much more than just on or off.

Smart lighting can inspire you, relax you, motivate you, and entertain you. Here are five easy ways that smart lighting — like Nanoleaf Shapes or Canvas light panels — can improve your day-to-day life.

Exploring your creativity can have a huge benefit on your well-being. You don’t need to be the best artist to get creative – you can express yourself through the decor pieces you select, the paint colors you choose, and most definitely through your lighting decisions.

The modular and free-form design of Nanoleaf’s panels lets you create a personal and customized mosaic of light. And with over 16 million color options, you can use one of the many preset lighting Scenes or create your own in the Nanoleaf App. Try “Touch Paint” to create an interactive Scene that allows you to digitally paint your panels with touch – essentially creating smart art. Get inspired and let your personality shine through your home!

It’s a fact that lighting impacts how well you sleep. Different types of lighting such as blue light will boost alertness so it’s great during the day but not near bedtime. So it’s important to control the lighting in your daily spaces if you want a good night’s sleep.

Unwind with the help of Nanoleaf’s light panels, and tranquil hues. Use Playlists like “Relaxing Before Bed” to ease your body to sleep. And even use Touch Actions to set your favorite relaxation scenes: lower the blinds, turn on your humidifier and play a soothing color Scene on your panels, simply by tapping an individual panel on your layout. By avoiding the bright light of your smart device altogether, you’re guaranteed to get to sleep in no time. You can also schedule your lights to gradually turn on at your desired time so you can wake up more naturally (bypassing the annoying, blaring alarm clock).

Reduce stress in your daily life by using smart lighting to capture the essence of nature in your home. Being in nature can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and even some symptoms of depression. So if you can’t be outside, then it’s important to find ways to bring the outdoors in.

Discover one of the many preset nature-inspired lighting Scenes in the Nanoleaf App – there’s a Playlist for every season. Bring the best parts of Spring inside and recreate fresh morning dew, vibrant cherry blossoms, or calming rain. And if you’re craving sunshine, bring the brightness in with the “Vibrant Sunrise” Scene. You can even set up your Nanoleaf panels to reflect the temperature outside, bringing you closer to nature — particularly great for living spaces with fewer windows!

Improve your working from home productivity! According to Behavioral & Data Scientist, Dr. Pragya Agarwal, lighting that imitates natural sunlight creates happier and healthier workspaces. Additionally, bright lighting with a cooler tone is better in maximizing productivity.

Nanoleaf panels can be easily adjusted to fit any workspace. Set them to cooler white light when you’re focusing on a task and then change them up to a softer color Scene when you need a break. The “Work from Home” Playlist has curated Scenes for both work and play so you can concentrate, find inspiration and take a breather. There’s also a “Be Productive” Scene filled with cool and bright hues. Connect your Nanoleaf panels to a Google or Outlook account and set them up via IFTTT to remind you when an event or meeting is coming up. By allowing your smart lights to be your personal assistant, you can optimize your daily schedule.

Whether you like to spend your free time listening to music, binge-watching TV shows, gaming, or even trying out the latest fitness challenge – all of these experiences can be enhanced with smart lighting!

Nanoleaf’s built-in Rhythm Music Visualizer allows the lights panels to dance to the beat of your favorite songs. Try the “Dance Party” Playlist to liven up any room or use the “Energetic” Playlist to boost your workout. Also take advantage of Nanoleaf’s Screen Mirror feature. Set up your light panels around your TV or gaming station and try “Melt” Mode. Watch as your light panels emulate the colors from your screen to create a truly immersive experience.

Lighting is so much more than just illuminating a space. You already use it every day, so why not be more intentional with how! Make your daily life easier and improve your overall well-being when you use smart lighting to its fullest capability.

What’s your favorite way to use your Nanoleaf panels? Share your ideas with us!

Find us on Instagram and Twitter @nanoleaf, or Facebook @thenanoleaf join the Nanoleaf Community.