It’s not just about convenience, it’s about the world around you changing to make living comfortably, efficiently, safely, fun, possible. Newer technology now even enables homeowners to rethink how their homes work for them every day. With everything from automated lighting to smart security, building a smart home can shave minutes off of your routine and help you make an eco-friendly home.
Whether you’re thinking about taking your home to the next level or just want to know what’s possible, let’s take a look at 10 slick smart home design ideas to help you make your living space more functional, secure, and sexy.
Use Smart Lighting Systems
Say farewell to groping for a light switch in the dark. Smart lighting enables you to control your home’s lighting with an app or voice assistant. You can also adjust brightness, change colors or set your lights to switch on and off at certain times.
Why we like it: Save on utility costs by having your lights shut off automatically when not in use.
For example: Companies such as Philips Hue sell dimmable and color-changing bulbs that can be programmed to match your mood or schedule.
Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
The perfect indoor temperature doesn’t have to be set by hand. A smart thermostat employs sensors and artificial intelligence to discern your preferences and adjust temperature automatically.
Why it’s helpful: Conserve energy and save money on heating and cooling.
Example: The Nest Thermostat that lets you remotely control your home’s temperature using your smartphone.
Try Voice-Activated Assistants
Voice-activated assistants such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant seems like a step toward convenience. They can set reminders, answer questions, or play a song, all through a voice command.
Why it’s worth it: A voice-operated option for controlling a host of smart home devices hands-free.
Example: Ask Alexa to dim the lights, play your favorite song or lock the doors.
Smart Security Cameras Will Keep Your Home Safe.
Smart security cameras that can keep your home safe no matter where you are. These offer live video streaming, motion detection and can even recognize faces. At least some models of them even have built-in microphones, so you can talk to who’s on the other side remotely.
Why it’s great: Gives you the peace of mind to be away from your home.
Example: Ring’s video doorbells and Arlo’s security cameras provide remote monitoring capabilities and are easy to install.
Automate Your Blinds and Shades
Motorized, intelligent blinds can be programmed to open and close according to the time of day or the temperature of the room. Whether you want to wake up to daylight or keep your home cool during the summer, automated shades have you covered.
Why it’s worth it: It increases energy efficiency, and it offers an easy-to-use way to control light.
Example: Lutron’s Serena Smart Shades pair with smart assistants to make the user experience seamless.
Add Smart Kitchen Appliances
Cooking has never been easier than with smart kitchen technology. From fridges that order groceries to ovens that toast toastier, these appliances are turning the home kitchen into something from a futuristic cartoon.
Why it is useful: Streamlines daily tasks and cuts down on food waste.
Example: LG’s Instaview refrigerator can make shopping lists and let you know when you’re running low on items.
Include a Smart Home Hub
A smart home hub is the central place to control all your smart devices. Personalize that with multiple apps and juggle away of those apps for those lights, security systems, and syncing them, to one hub interface.
Why it’s worth it: It centralizes smart device management, for an easier-to-use experience.
Example: Samsung SmartThings Hub pairs with a variety of Zigbee, Z-Wave, and internet-connected devices.
Research Smart Plumbing Choices
Conserve water and get a jump on leaks with smart plumbing fixtures. Smart water monitors and other devices can monitor water usage and alert homeowners to unusual activity.
Why it’s great: It will help you avoid a massive water bill and save you some H2O, too.
Example: Flo by Moen tracks your home’s water system for leaks and abnormal usage.
Incorporate Smart Entertainment Systems By now, Smart entertainment systems have gone wide in popularity.
Create a smart home theater in your living room. Those could include app-controlled sound systems, 4K smart TVs or, why not, smart projectors for movie nights.
Why it’s worth it: It takes home entertainment to new heights and makes managing devices a piece of cake.
For example: Sonos wireless sound system revolutionizes music listening by providing real music lovers with unmatched sound quality & versatility allowing you to control it via app.
Use Smart Outdoor Lighting
Smart lights have expanded beyond the confines of our homes. Outdoor smart lighting can boost your home’s security and provide pretty landscape lighting for outdoor get-togethers. Set them to switch on as you enter or dim to preset levels.
Why it’s hot: It enhances safety and creates the ambiance for outdoor areas.
“Example:” [{“subtext”: “Philips Hue outdoor lights have weatherproof options to fit your needs.
Making Your Space Smarter
Just because you’re starting to design your smart home, doesn’t mean you have to invest in the latest and greatest smart tech all at once. Unfortunately a lot of people will project their own personal perception of a “good plan” on you but at the end of the day, you do you. Consider the following tips:
Prioritize: Pay attention to high-impact upgrades, like smart thermostats or security systems.
Stay Connected: Systems that work well together provide an optimal performance.
Plan for the future: Invest in products that are scalable, so they can grow with your home.
Adapting technology for a smarter tomorrow
Smart home technology trends have made it increasingly simple for homeowners to implement cutting-edge convenience in their homes. From earth-friendly energy-saving options to enhanced security, these 10 smart home design choices can help transform your living space for the better.
Feeling inspired? Contact a smart home specialist today to start designing the smart home of your dreams.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is a smart home?
A smart home is a residence equipped with technologies that allow for remote control and automation of various systems, such as lighting, security, heating, and appliances, using devices like smartphones or voice assistants.
Q: Are smart home devices energy-efficient?
Yes, many smart home devices are designed with energy efficiency in mind. For example, smart thermostats can optimize heating and cooling schedules to reduce energy consumption, while smart lighting can turn off automatically when rooms are unoccupied.
Q: Is it expensive to set up a smart home?
The cost of setting up a smart home can vary greatly depending on the devices and systems you choose to install. While some advanced solutions may require a significant investment, there are many affordable options to start small and gradually expand your smart home setup.
Q: Can my smart home be hacked?
While smart homes can be vulnerable to hacking, taking proper security precautions—such as using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and keeping your devices’ firmware updated—can significantly reduce the risks.
Q: Do I need professional help to install smart home devices?
It depends on the complexity of the system. Many smart home devices are plug-and-play and easy to install on your own, but larger, integrated systems might require the expertise of a smart home technology professional.
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