Who said that you need to incur a lot of expenses in order to give your old home a modern twist? Days have passed since crafting a smart home used to be an expensive consideration. With the emergence of technology, it has become a lot easier for people to turn their living spaces into modern accommodations. The choices for it are endless, ranging from smart devices to DIY solutions, there’s a lot to choose from based on your budget.
While transforming your home from a traditional one to a smart one, you will be employing a lot of devices and appliances that will be remotely controlled and automated. They will be fully intelligent and responsive to all of your needs. All these smart devices not only bring convenience to your life, but they also add a touch of magic to your daily routine. With time, you will feel your life getting a lot simpler. Keep reading to learn how you can make your home smarter by remaining within a specified budget. These mentions will be both future-oriented and energy-efficient as well.
Common smart home devices to use
Irrespective of your home type and size, there are some gadgets that need to be included in your go-to list when buying smart devices for your home. All these options offer a good level of security, convenience, and comfort to the homeowner. Have a look at some common smart home devices that people use in their daily lives.
1. Smart speakers
Often referred to as the heart of your smart home, come the smart speakers. Using them, you can conveniently go through a lot of your daily operations with ease, such as controlling a number of devices, answering different questions, and also playing your favourite music just by using your voice. Some common options to consider for it are Amazon Echo, Google Nest Mini, Xiomi Mi smart speaker, Apple HomePod Mini, and more. Using any of these options, you can easily interact with several smart devices just by using your voice command.
2. Smart plugs
They are a kind of secret weapon for your smart house. Don’t just go after their small looks, as they are really useful when it comes to serving an individual. Just by plugging them in, you can easily control coffee makers, lamps, fans, heaters, or any other device that has an on/off switch. All this will be done by just using your voice command or by touching a button on your phone. For using them, you just need to plug them into an outlet and connect it via Wi-Fi using a working app, and then you need to plug in the appliance that you want to control. Investing in a smart plug is one of the best decisions to make while opting to make your home smarter.
3. Smart light bulbs
Another consideration to look out for in cheap home automation are smart light bulbs. Using them, you can either dim or turn on and off your home’s different lights. For it, you won’t need to physically go somewhere or do anything extra, as just using your voice or a quick tap on your smartphone would be enough for this purpose. What makes them more special is the fact that they use less energy than traditional bulbs. Another great advantage that they come with is the possibility of setting up a schedule. There are various worthy brands that you can consider while choosing the best option for yourself. Just make sure that you don’t exceed your budget at all.
4. Smart thermostats
5. Smart door locks
6. Smart kitchen appliances
7. Smart security camera
In order to have proper peace of mind that your home and the members living in it are safe while you are away, make use of a smart security camera. The best places worth considering to install them would be those that feature high traffic near them, such as the entryway, kitchen, and front door. Besides these places, consider places that, as per your POV, are more vulnerable to intruders. Additional features that you need to consider in a smart security camera are two-way audio, motion detection, remote monitoring, and more. Some of the brands that you can consider for this purpose are Xiaomi Mi Home Security Camera 360°, Realme Smart Cam 360°, Tp-Link, Wyze, Blink, and much more.
Tips to follow while making your home smarter
Before you choose any smart device for your possession, the first and foremost step to take is to plan out everything. Use your creativity and create a smart home strategy first to see which areas you need to prioritise with respect to upgrading your home. By doing so, you would be able to utilise your budget in a more efficient manner, ensuring you get the best possible return for the money invested.
1. Choose one smart home device at a time
2. Go with budget-friendly smart devices in the beginning
3. Focus on energy efficiency
4. Look for deals and discounts
5. Utilise existing technology devices
6. Utilise free apps
7. Take help from community forums and DIY Blogs
Concluding thoughts
Frequently Asked Questions
A smart home is a convenient setup wherein a number of devices and appliances are controlled remotely from a distant location using a smartphone or any other networked device. These devices are connected via an internet connection, which makes it possible for the user to control all different functions concerning the home.
Start by planning a proper strategy for your smart home. Opt for adding those devices to your list that don’t require much investment, i.e., go for budget-friendly smart devices. When buying your chosen smart home gadgets, try waiting for sale days to come, wherein you can easily secure exclusive discounts and deals. On your priority list, you must include smart security cameras and smart locks, as they offer much convenience without incurring much cost.
Having a smart home allows you to better look after and control the overall security of your house. It also helps you get along with proper energy savings and management. Plus, you can remotely access your household from remote locations with ease. The amount of customisation and programmable features that most smart home gadgets come with serves a number of purposes for the user.
By getting yourself a smart house, you can get rid of a lot of discomfort and uneasiness. In most smart houses, the amount of energy used is minimal, which saves a lot of energy usage as compared to non-smart houses. The amount of safety and security that you get in a smart home is incomparable, as it allows you to keep track of all the activity going on in your house. Plus, the amount of flexibility and customisation that you get in a smart house is tremendous.
In a DIY smart home, you take upon yourself the responsibility of converting your home into a smart one. Either you would be reusing your old devices to convert them into new ones or you would be buying budget-friendly smart devices to make your home smarter. The main thing about a DIY smart home is that you won’t be hiring a professional to make your home smarter.
The cost that you will incur for making your home smart will range from AUD300 to AUD5000. Still, the exact cost that you will be bearing will vary based on the kind and number of smart gadgets and devices that you will be installing at home. Another thing that would affect the overall cost of your smart home project is the things that you will be automating or upgrading.
Using AI technology in smart homes, one can enjoy a lot of comfort, convenience, and automation for themselves. The presence of AI allows various devices to learn, adapt, and make some crucial decisions on their own that are based on the different preferences and patterns adopted by the user. By utilising the user’s data, the AI-driven smart home effectively tracks and controls various aspects of one’s home, like the temperature prevailing at home and the amount of lighting that is there in the home. For instance, the AI system can adapt to the owner’s waking and sleeping times to adjust the lighting and temperature in each room.