Explore the growing trend of integrating smart technology into home renovations for enhanced convenience and security.
Smart homes are all the rage these days, and for good reason. Also known as smart home technology, smart home automation involves using technology to automate various functions within your household that take care of all your daily needs. The best part? With the help of the Internet of Things (IoT), almost every aspect of your home sweet home can be controlled remotely. Putting it all together isn’t exactly cake walk (and may burn a decent hole in your pocket), but the right setup and combination of devices can make your life easier and much more convenient. We, at Livwell Collective, have put together this smart-home guide to help you narrow down your options and understand the choices you make:
- Smart lighting:
When it comes down to listing the most accessible and impactful smart home technologies available today, smart lighting tops the charts. These installations allow you to control your home’s lighting remotely via a smartphone app or through voice commands using a smart assistant. There is a range of smart bulbs and switches that offer a range of features such as dimming, colour changes, scheduling, and energy efficiency.
- Thermostats:
A smart thermostat allows you to control your home’s temperature remotely by learning your schedule and preferences over time. It uses advanced algorithms and sensors to optimize heating and cooling, reducing energy consumption, and lowering utility bills. You can program it in a way that adjusts the temperature based on occupancy, weather conditions, and even your daily routine.
- Security systems:
Smart security systems are hands down the best investment listed here, offering comprehensive solutions including smart cameras, motion sensors, and alarm systems. These devices can be monitored and controlled remotely, providing real-time alerts and allowing you to view live footage from your smartphone. Additionally, these security systems can be aligned with other smart devices to create a robust security network. For instance, you can set your smart lights to flash in case an intruder is detected or use your smart doorbell to communicate with your guests when you are not around.
- Voice-activated assistants:
It’s time you start assigning Siri more crucial jobs than just framing a text response, or using Alexa for other things than merely playing your favourite music. These voice-activated assistants can perform a variety of other tasks, such as setting reminders, vacuuming the place, controlling smart devices, and providing immediate information on demand. By integrating your smart home devices with a voice-activated assistant, you can control everything from lighting and thermostats to security systems and kitchen appliances using simple voice commands.
- Kitchen appliances:
Transform the way you cook and clean with smart kitchen appliances! From smart ovens and refrigerators to coffee makers and dishwashers, smart kitchen devices offer advanced features that streamline daily tasks. We are talking smart refrigerators that can monitor food inventory and suggest recipes based on available ingredients, and smart ovens that can be preheated remotely. These appliances not only help you save time but also enhance the overall cooking experience. There are even smart cocktail or coffee makers that can whip you your favourite drink in no time. Yes, they are expensive, but then so are your daily orders of lattes and martinis!
- Home activity monitors:
Smart home monitors provide real-time data on various environmental factors, including temperature, humidity, air quality, and noise levels. These devices help you maintain a comfortable and healthy living environment by alerting you to any changes that require attention. You can even take it up a notch higher by installing certain household system monitors that sense a power surge and turn off appliances, sense water failures or freezing pipes and turn off the water so the home doesn’t flood, notify when pollutants and allergens reach dangerous levels, and more.
- Automatic doors:
Trust automatic doors fixed with smart locks, such as those from August, Yale, and Schlage, to offer your home both convenience and security. These systems allow you to lock and unlock doors remotely, grant temporary access to guests or service providers, and receive notifications whenever the door is accessed. These smart locks can even be integrated with other smart home devices to create seamless automation. For example, your door could automatically unlock when you approach it with your smartphone, or you could set it to lock and arm your security system when you leave the house.
- Home entertainment:
Nothing can create a stellar state-of-the-art entertainment hub than an automated audio and video system. Simply sync your smart TV, speakers, and streaming devices, and control them all with a single app. Seamless movie nights and immersive sound experiences with family and friends are guaranteed once your home is ready for some smart entertainment!
These innovative installations can help homeowners create a smart oasis that offers both comfort and convenience. At Livwell Collective, we can offer our expertise in smart home integration—right from guiding you through your best options to helping you with the set-up. Speak to our team today to book a free consultation.
