indoor lighting: motion sensors

[thisisjeopardy]

Has anyone done this? I have a staircase and a downstairs hallway light that either keeps getting left on all the time or sometimes has to be left on wherein a motion detector would suffice and wouldn't need to leave them on all the time.

I know nothing about handyman/repairs/installation and will have no problem paying a friend of mine who is, I'm just researching the requirements and viability/efficiency and determining if it's worth it.

Would love to hears any advice, pros/cons, etc.

[Linea_Norway]

We had lamps with motion switches in our previous house, in the staircase and in the hall downstairs, because those rooms had only 1 switch and we needed one on each side. It worked well, based on a basic sensor from a cheap DIY store.
But a few ago we discovered something new: wireless remote switches that you can glue to the wall. In our old house we replaced the motion switch with it.  This is also what we have implemented in our current house in the hall. On one side there is the regular switch. Behind it is now a wireless sending device. On the other side there is a new, wireless switch glued to the wall that communicates with the regular switch through wireless communication. This way you don't get visible cables in the room. They do require a new battery from time to time. And the switch is not completely intuitive in which way to press. When used to it, it works well, although sometimes I need to press 2-3 times. This system was also bought at a (Swedish) DIY store without fancy brand names.
For my husband who is quite technical both systems were easy to install.

[thisisjeopardy]

But a few ago we discovered something new: wireless remote switches that you can glue to the wall. In our old house we replaced the motion switch with it.  This is also what we have implemented in our current house in the hall. On one side there is the regular switch. Behind it is now a wireless sending device.

Thank you! I think this will suffice. I can train the in-laws and guests to hit a switch from inside the guest bedroom so they don't trip down 3 small steps before getting to the light switch. For now we're leaving the hall light on all night (wasteful, but so is the fuel consumption of an ambulance to the ER when someone trips and falls).

I have a light for the stair case but I'll just have to start scolding my wife, her parents, and my parents and other guests that constantly leave it on all the time.

[lthenderson]

Since getting an Amazon Echo, I just buy a LED bulb with wifi and I can turn it off anywhere at anytime and set timers, etc.

[GizmoTX]

We use motion sensing LED plug in night lights for bathrooms & halls. Inexpensive & energy saving.

[ShoulderThingThatGoesUp]

I put in motion sensing switched in my bathrooms and the playroom so my three-year-old can go and use them by herself in the dark.

[Cwadda]

Posting to follow

[Frugal Lizard]

We have two motion activated lights.  In the utility room it is on the actual light and the door opening trips it on.  In our walkin closet we have a motion sensor on the light switch so it comes on when we enter the closet.  They work great - except if you leave doors open and the cat trips them on in the night.

[HipGnosis]

We use motion sensing LED plug in night lights for bathrooms & halls. Inexpensive & energy saving.

About the same here.  Bathroom, kitchen, mud room between garage and house and the spare bedroom that was an office but has turned into a storage room.  The motion light for the storage room is on an extension cord and on top of a file cabinet (with an old router holding it in place).
They usually save me from having to turn on another light, but make it easy to do so when desired.

I'd have more LED nightlights - if I could find some that aren't so bright.  Sometimes you just need a point of reference to know where you are and where you want to go.

[former player]

Used to have these at work: the problem was that they come on behind you rather than in front, so you were always walking into darkness and leaving a trail of light behind you.

[Le Poisson]

We have the motion swith on our stairs to the basement.  Works great.

[Linea_Norway]

Used to have these at work: the problem was that they come on behind you rather than in front, so you were always walking into darkness and leaving a trail of light behind you.

I haven't experienced this. But it is important to use lightbulbs that light brightly instantly. Don't use saving bulbs that use a minute to light at full power.