Thank you! That screenshot does look exactly what I'd need and not that difficult at all. Is that a default interface or something I'd need to 'load' onto the home assistant device?
The good thing is that the HA device isn't too dear compared to alternatives like Homey Pro that start at 400+
Might just give it a whirl and if it turns out not to be for me I'm sure I could sell it in quite easily.
Yep, straight out the box. Just a settings menu and then options for devices, automations & scenes and then things like grouping and areas so you can organise everything neatly. I can't remember the setup process but loads of YT videos that talk you through the process. Really quick and simple.
There are then loads of community developed things called HACS that you can add for extra functionality/device integration etc. The actual documentation can be a bit confusing but YT and ChatGPT will walk you through it.
Like you said, the kit is cheap so I just went for it, found it a bit complicated at first setting devices up but the learning curve is so fast with AIs help I reckon I'd be confident enough to get most mid level difficulty things working.
As a warning the devices can get expensive. Just on light switches and bulbs I must be £500+ in already but it is just a gradual thing now I can add one or two new smart devices when I think of something I want to do (just checked and I have 50 smart devices connected into HA now)