Smart Home Projects for Beginners
The Best Smart Home Devices For Your Needs
If you are a beginner to smart home devices you are probably wondering where to start. The first thing is to work out what is important to you. Are you looking for energy-saving features, voice control or security? Depending on what you need and what budget you have there are many options available.
Which Smart Devices?
There are so many smart home devices on the market now it can be difficult to decide which are right for you. Smart technology encompasses everything from a simple smart light bulb or a few smart speakers to full smart home living with a heating and cooling system, air quality monitors, smart home cameras and security smart home systems, all operated by remote control from wherever you are in the world. Some smart home devices are easy to install and can be controlled from your smartphone app, tablet or smart home hub but others may need professional installation, depending upon your experience.
Smart Home Ideas to Meet Your Needs
Smart home gadgets are available to meet almost all your needs and make life easier whether it’s the smart toothbrush monitoring that the kids have cleaned their teeth properly, smart scales to track your BMI or a smart doorbell camera so you can see who is calling even when you’re not in. Only you know what works for you and your family but below we list some of the most popular smart home devices that people are currently choosing.
Smart Thermostats
Home automation is becoming more accessible and easier to use than ever before, and a great place to get started is with a smart thermostat. Not only are they energy efficient but they also give you control over the temperature in your home – all from the comfort of your couch!
Smart thermostats can be programmed to warm or cool your home at specific times, meaning you don’t have to worry about ever coming home to an uncomfortable temperature again. A smart heating system will save you money on your energy bills as it uses less energy to maintain the temperature of your home.
Smart Lights System
We are all looking at energy usage and how to keep our energy costs down, at the moment. Installing a smart lighting system and smart bulbs in your home is an excellent way to reduce energy consumption and save money. Once set up, you can use the controls on your mobile device or tablet to check if any lights have been left on in your house and adjust settings like dimming and timer functions.
Smart Lights can even create automated “scenes” that are activated at certain times of the day. For example, you could set one up that creates a dimly lit environment for watching movies late at night without having to manually adjust each lamp. Smart light bulbs enable you to control your lights anytime, anywhere and also makes it easier than ever before to minimise energy bills whilst enjoying maximum convenience.
Smart Speakers – The Hands-Free Smart Device
Smart speakers are one of the smart devices that has become increasingly popular in smart homes, and for good reason. Whether you want to control your home from across the room with voice commands or stream music without having to lift a finger, these devices offer incredible convenience. Most models come with a virtual assistant such as Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa built-in, so you can easily look up facts, find out the weather or stream your favourite tunes but the smart speaker has so many more uses when you attach it to other smart home devices.
With an attached smart speaker, and voice assistant you can use a simple voice command to control your lights, thermostat and security systems, leaving you hands-free to continue whatever you were doing whether that’s bathing the children, cooking dinner or entertaining guests. Smart speakers are a great addition to any home and can make everyday tasks easier than ever before.
Voice Activated Devices
Other smart home devices can be operated through a smart speaker and Alexa google assistant or similar companion app. You can automatically adjust heating or lighting via the smart speaker or access the smart garage door opener when someone arrives home and you don’t have time to open the door for them. You can also set up voice-activated alarms and reminders, so you always know when it’s time to take out the rubbish or do a load of washing.
These are just a few suggestions for smart home devices that can make life easier, but there are plenty more available.
Smart Home Devices to Protect Your Property
When it comes to home security, there are a range of devices that offer peace of mind including smart locks with fingerprint recognition, motion sensors and home security camera for your windows or doors.
If you’re looking to keep an eye on packages delivered to your doorstep, spot wildlife that visits your yard, or just want a little extra peace of mind with regard to home security, setting up a security camera system is a great beginner project for anyone relatively comfortable using technology.
Security systems really aren’t as intimidating as they used to be. A video doorbell is a great place to start, as it not only lets you see who is at your door but also allows you to interact with visitors from anywhere in the world via your home wi-fi network.
For an extra layer of protection, consider adding motion sensors or door/window contacts to alert you when a window or door is opened unexpectedly. When these sensors detect any activity, you will instantly be notified on your smartphone so that you can take the necessary action to protect your home. Motion sensors are a great way to deter potential burglars, as they detect any movement in their range and alert you instantly.
A network recorder can also be a great addition to your home security setup. These devices allow you to keep constant surveillance on what’s going on at home – even when you’re not physically present. They record video footage of any suspicious activity and can be connected to other smart devices in your home for an added layer of protection. The Dahua – 4 Channel 2TB NVR recorder is currently on offer at smarthomesmadesimple.co.uk/product/dahua-4-channel-2tb-nvr/.
These systems are becoming ever more affordable, so it’s easier than ever before to get started without breaking the bank account.
Other Smart Devices you May want to Consider
If you’ve purchased automated lighting, security alarms and climate control you may want to add more smart features to make your home even smarter.
Robotic Vacuum
A robotic vacuum cleaner is a great way to keep your floors clean without having to lift a finger. This device can be controlled from your smartphone, allowing you to check and adjust the settings from anywhere in the world.
Smart Lock
Take convenience to the next level with this smart home device, the smart door lock. Never have to be there yourself to let someone in – whether you’re at work in the middle of the day or away on holiday, you can easily get access from your smartphone. You’ll be able to receive notifications when someone enters and exits, too.
Smart Plugs
A Smart plug allows you to take control of all the devices in your home, even the ones that don’t have smart features. By plugging them into a wall outlet, you can control and monitor just how much energy each device is using from anywhere in the world. With this information, you’ll be able to save money on your electricity bill by turning off devices when not needed or setting them to run at specific times.
Connect your Smart Devices with a Good Home WiFi Router
When building your digital fortress, one of the most important elements to consider is your home WiFi router. Your wi-fi connectivity is vital so don’t skimp here. Getting a good quality router up and running will ensure that all of your connected devices stay linked and communicating without interruption or lag.
Not only can this make working from home, streaming shows, and gaming with friends easier, but picking out a router that also provides additional security benefits that could help protect against attacks on your personal information. So set aside a budget for a dependable router – you’ll be glad you did. Take a look at this one currently on offer https://smarthomesmadesimple.co.uk/product-category/networking/.
As technology continues to improve and become more accessible, smart home devices are becoming a popular way for homeowners to make their lives easier. From security cameras and motion sensors to robotic vacuums and smart plugs, there is no limit to the potential of what you can do with your home. So why not give your home the upgrade it deserves?
Here at SMS, we have created a smart home configurator to help get started on your smart home project.
