The Internet of Things (IoT) has greatly influenced the evolution of smart homes, enabling the integration of advanced technologies like SmartThings, Apple HomeKit, and Spotify-enabled speakers such as HomePod. As smart home devices become more prevalent, homeowners can employ products like Ring's security suite and Nest Thermostat to enhance convenience and security. This tutorial guides users in developing a personalized smart home system using PubNub's real-time data API and Virtual Spaces Platform, focusing on automation and centrality through a smart light, light detector, and door detector. The process involves setting up hardware with Raspberry Pi, using components like relays and phototransistors, and programming with Python to operate and interact with devices via PubNub's pub/sub capabilities. A client script allows remote control of these devices through a web interface, showcasing the flexibility and integration potential with various smart home protocols, ultimately empowering users to create efficient and intuitive smart home systems.