It’s truly amazing what can be connected to the internet these days. If you wanted to, you could turn your dishwasher on from your mobile phone while on holiday on the other side of the world. You can also get devices that take voice commands to switch on the coffee machine while you’re still in bed.
There are so many ways that you can turn your house into a smart home, that it can be quite overwhelming. With all the devices available now, and the apps for your phone, and the interconnectedness of everything, it can be difficult to decide where to start and what you actually want to make smart.
Start Simple With A View To Expand
The first thing to do is decide on your platform for your smart home. Compatibility will be key to being able to expand your connections with ease. There are a few platforms that are top-notch, including Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri and Google’s Assistant. They are all like virtual assistants that you can talk to around your home to turn things on or off, or change settings.
Do your research into the devices and what connects well to all of them before you invest because this platform will form the foundation of your smart home. Once it’s in place, you can start to invest in other items that expand just how smart your home really is.
Remember, you should also include your smartphone in your thinking about your smart home. These devices pretty much all have either Google’s Assistant or Apple’s Siri on them, and you can download an app for Amazon’s Alexa. This means that you may not need to buy a separate setup for your home. You also may want to stay in the same ecosystem that you’re already used to with your smartphone.
Create A List Of Must-Haves and Nice-To-Haves
There are so many things that you can change to become smart in your home, from security systems for the entire property to the lights in your bedroom. The key is to look at the options and decide which ones really speak to you and to the conveniences that you would like. Then, take the time to research the costs involved so that you can start budgeting for the right options.
It’s always best to divide your list into things you really want to include in your home and things that would be nice to have. That way, you can focus on your priorities and get those set up first before you branch out. However, having a view to where you would like to go will allow you to pick the right platform and system because you know what you want to automate or connect down the line.
As you go through the process of installing smart devices and upgrading your home, it’s always good to do your research into future technology and see what else is out there. From games of luck to enjoy to smart appliances, the future looks fun. In some cases, smart options are advancing at a rapid pace and what was too expensive when you started out might be affordable down the line.