Making Your House a Smart Home: Step by Step

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Gained early experience with automation technology in the private and industrial sector, can turn his living room into a movie theater with one voice command and is the owner of this website. He is happy to share his accumulated experience with every new article.

Making a List of Top Desired Automations

The best first move to make before starting to outfit a normal house to be a smart home is to make a list of all the devices that are most wanted additions for the future! This is an important step to take in order to avoid getting overwhelmed. The modern market is oversaturated with hundreds of unique smart home devices, but an individual or single family may not need as many devices as they initially assume. Start by typing up an online spreadsheet or notes page to start keeping track of the top ideas and smart devices to research.

By making a detailed chart or list of must-have devices, a shopper can determine how many smart devices they’ll be shopping for. There are smart speakers, light switches, LED lights, cameras, doorbells, thermostats, sprinklers, and even smart refrigerators that can be bought by most customers! If funds are restrictive, it is smartest to prioritize the top devices instead of going overboard or overspending!

Decide on a Platform or Hub to Use

One of the other most important early decisions to make about creating a smart home is what software or brand to use. Choosing a tech platform or hub is so crucial since the type picked determines if future devices will be compatible with each other and work together or not! For example, the top smart home apps include the Amazon Alexa app, Samsung Smart Home, Google Assistant, Nest App, Philip Hue, Apple Home Kit App, Ecobee, Honeywell Home, the WISER App, and the Danalock Bluetooth Z-Lock App. All of these apps have their own unique pros and cons for each customer.

Smart Hubs

Smart hubs are almost equally important to the smart platform that a person settles on. These smart hubs are central spots or devices from which all smart devices can be controlled, no matter if they are doorbells, lights, cameras, doors, thermostats, or speakers! Some of the most used smart hubs include the 4th generation of the Amazon Echo, the Aeotec Smart Home Hub, the Apple HomePod mini, the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock, the 2nd generation of Apple HomePod, Smart Things, Home Assistant, Starling Home Hub, Hubitat Elevation, and the Amazon Echo Show 10. Hubs and platforms should be compared with the top desired smart devices, to make sure that the devices will work with the hub or platform chosen. Additionally, price comparisons of platforms and hubs need to be considered if specific funds are a limiting factor.

Some great resources to use in order to decide on the best hubs include online articles, firsthand users, and tutorial videos online. The video right below outlines some of the top most famous hubs and how they compare and contrast with each other!

Decide What Devices to Get and Research Compatibility

Finally, we come to the step that most people would incorrectly assume to be the first step, picking out smart devices! Some people claim that devices and corresponding hubs like Alexa, Google Assistant, or SmartThings are the best ones to purchase. Other smart home creators will vouch for products and platforms such as the HomeKit, Home Assistant, or Apple’s Siri. Some specific devices are cross-compatible with different brands of technology, and although it is not the end of the world if devices are not compatible, it definitely does make life so much easier if they are from the start! It can be a great idea to make a separate spreadsheet focused on device and hub or platform compatibility.

Start off with Less Expensive Devices, Graduating to Better Later

One tactic that smart homeowners have used to update their homes while saving money in the process, is by reusing older or outdated pieces of smart tech! To repurpose smart devices, simply move smart hubs, speakers, or lights into rooms of the home that are not used as often. Older smart devices can even be given to some children in a family to avoid needing to buy them a brand new device for them when that expensive choice may not even be necessary! So try not to throw out smart devices just because they’re old, reuse and recycle them so that no room in the developing smart home is bare!

Figure Out Manual Controls for All Family Members

After devices are decided on and bought, it is a good idea to check the smart home for ease of usability. For instance, with families of mixed ages and younger toddlers, kids, or teens, some specific smart devices should be bought or simply modified in order to be user-friendly for all family members. One of the best choices to go with is by adding smart buttons instead of sticking to smart devices that are only activated by voice commands. This switch over from all voice activation tech to smart buttons can also make it easier for friends, family, visitors, and guests to use the smart devices around so that everyone can enjoy the upgrades and not be too intimidated by them!

Optional 3D Floor Plan Planning

A more unorthodox approach to prepping a home to be made into a smart home is by using 3D imaging floor plan apps and websites. With the use of this software, a homeowner can make a 3D mock-up of their regular house, input the devices they already have, and then move around or replace the rendered appliances and devices on the website or app to plan out where they want new or replacement devices to go! By planning it out visually, some smart devices can be foregone or picked out with the added benefit of “seeing” how they would look in the home before buying and installing them! Some top 3D apps and websites to use include Canvas, Matterport, and Tinkercad.

Smart Speakers

To delve into some of the most popular and go-to devices for new smart home shoppers, one can never go wrong with smart speakers! These are often placed in the main gathering rooms of smart homes, such as living rooms and kitchens. Home renovators have often chosen the Sonos One speaker since it has a rich sound, is compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa, and the mic can pick up commands from a far distance. Even though the Sonos One is expensive compared to other speakers, it is a solid buy that will last for many years. For a good, classic choice, there is also the Amazon Echo Dot speaker from 2020 which sports an easy setup process and integration into a smart home system, and is one of the most affordable of all home speakers on the market right now! It may have directional and shallow sound and lacks a Zigbee hub on the inside, but it is still a fantastic choice out of all smart home speakers!

Smart Lighting

Another top choice for smart home adaptations includes smart lighting! Smart home lighting can include smart light bulbs, smart lighting systems, smart light switches, and smart LED lights. Smart bulbs are such a great choice since they can be plugged into smart lighting systems and most can be controlled by either voice command, a smart home app, or with smart switches. These lighting systems also have the benefit of being able to be dimmed, set on a schedule, or be controlled remotely.

Smart Plugs

Smart plug products are so great since voice commands can be used to remotely turn off or on all appliances plugged into the smart plug! The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug is well known for its conveniently small design, its relative affordability, and for working with Google Assistant and Siri software. The one downside of this popular plug is that it doesn’t allow for energy monitoring, but otherwise it is a stellar choice for an up-and-coming smart house! Some other great picks for plug-ins include the Amazon Smart Plug, the GE Cync Indoor Smart Plug, the Wyze Plug, the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip HS300, and more. There are even specially made smart plugs that come in power strip form and some that are made to be used outdoors!

Smart Home Security

There are plenty of ways to safeguard a smart home and all the valuables in it! The Google Nest Cam Indoor version is great to use for deterring would-be thieves while toting a two-way audio system. There are plenty of smart cameras on the market, like the Netgear Arlo Pro, the Amazon Cloud Cam, and the Ring Stick-Up Camera. In addition to indoor and outdoor smart cameras, there are also many home monitoring and Command centers that can be posted by doors and windows of homes to help all homeowners and family members feel safe and sound. So look into smart security websites and consider adding some smart locks to complete the best smart house atmosphere!

Outdoor Smart Devices

For families and individuals who want to extend the benefits of their smart home to the great outdoors, there are even products fit for bad weather and seasonal fun! As mentioned before, there are outdoor smart plugs sold, which can be used to plug in smart devices with cords. Some outdoor smart devices don’t even need to be plugged in, like waterproof bluetooth speakers, outdoor smart lights, smart garage door openers, and smart irrigation systems like sprinklers! If some people really value their outdoor time, it is also a great idea to buy a smart extender. Extenders can widen the range of wi-fi systems so they can reach fully into the backyard or front yard!

Knowing When and If Big Smart Appliances are Needed

It’s important to plan ahead and investigate the best or most affordable kinds of smart devices. Going hand in hand with this idea, it’s also important to know that a shocking array of large smart appliances exist and that some are more useful than others. Samsung sells an entire line of varied smart home appliances. They sell smart refrigerators, floor care vacuums, air purifiers, dishwashers, ovens, microwaves, washers, and dryers! Products like these can make life a lot easier and saves time. However, they can be overly costly, or overkill at times.

Other Unique Smart Devices and Appliances

If there was nothing above that seemed like the best fit for enhancing a normal home, think again! Retailers and online stores sell smart voice-controlled ceiling fans, electric fans, smart lamps, and other niche products. There are even odder smart products for those interested, like smart AI toothbrushes, auto-cleaning cat litter boxes, smart belts, pet hair dryers, robot bread-making boxes, and even smart toilets!

Smart Toys for the Kids

If an entire home is being tricked out with tech, make sure not to forget about the kids and teens who will want to be included in the upgrade! Smart light strips are beautiful additions to kids’ rooms that can change to any color of the rainbow, pulse in time with music, and can even be synced with apps and played with! There are also specially designed kid-friendly speakers for various ages. There are plenty of kids-styled smart echo dots, smart watches, smart devices, smartphones, smart lamps, smart tablets, robot toys, and smart toothbrushes to spice up life. It’s up to any parent or guardian how much tech a child needs, but these could be fun gifts for birthdays or holidays!

Further Resources for Setting Up a Smart House

Honestly, when attacking the task of creating a smart home the first time, following these above steps and doing some personal research on smart device websites will go a very long way. There are further guides and verified smart device shoppers online that post blogs and videos as well that target any specific topic of setting up a smart home! For instance, the video below shows some great examples of home smart devices and their pros and cons for why they may be good fits for some houses!

Attention: When installing electronic equipment, please be sure to observe the manufacturer’s safety instructions. You have to take care of your own safety. The information on this site only helps you to learn.
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