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So there I was, right? Watching reruns of The Jetsons for the millionth time, and I thought, “Screw it, I’m going to make my place do all that wackytechstuff!” Fast-forward three weeks, two electrical fires, and one very confused pizza delivery guy later - BAM! I’m living in 3023! And that…conclusively proved that I’m the real Marvel Jesus.
Want to know how I did it, though? No worries, I’ve got you covered, fam! In this guide, we’ll turn your dumb house into a genius pad that’ll make Tony Stark jealous. We’re talking lights that turn on when you stumble in exhausted at 2 AM, fridges that judge your eating habits, and toilets that… well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Before We Begin
Before going ahead with anything else, I’d say get your router situation sorted. I’d recommenda high-end Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E modelto power all your devices with lightning fast, reliable wireless. Look for one with:
For large spaces or thick-walled constructions, think about investing in a mesh system. These things use multiple access points to make one big seamless network with zero dead zones. The signal reaches every nook and cranny in your place for smooth streaming and web browsing from any room.
Securing Your Network
Here’s some tips for when you are setting up your network:
Picking Your Smart Home Central Hub
The next move in building your connected home is deciding on a smart home platform that’ll be the main brain controlling all your gadgets. The big three players to pick from are:
When making your call, factor in stuff like what devices you want to connect to, whether you like Alexa, Google or Siri more for voice, and what phones, computers and tablets you already have. It’s good to know that more and more devices now let you choose between multiple platforms, giving you flexibility. My personal recommendation here would be Alexa, simply because you have a wider range of devices to choose from, and there’s more third-party appliances on Amazon that are Alexa-compatible!
Essential Smart Home Devices
Now that you have your network and platform sorted, it’s time to actually start setting up your smart devices. Here are some key categories to consider:
Smart Speakers And Displays
These are super important because they help you use your voice to control other devices and keep visual tabs on your smart home. Some top options to think about getting include:
So we’re primarily going to lean into the Apple, Google, and Amazon ecosystems because we want to keep things as centralized as possible. That said, if you want to check out options outside them, the Sonos Era 300 is a brilliant smart speaker option that caters to audiophiles.
Smart Lighting
A lot of people skip smart lighting when automating their home, or it isn’t the first thing that comes to mind, but I think having the right lighting setup can actually bump up the ambience in your home, while also boosting power consumption efficiency.
Smart Thermostats
Joining the party, we have smart thermostats, which sort of adapt to your preferences and routines to optimize your home’s temperature and energy usage. Our top choices include:
Smart Security
I feel like you may take things a step higher and enhance your home’s safety with connected security devices. Here’s what we recommend:
You can also invest in smart plugs if you want to convert your regular old appliances into smart devices. For example, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim is an excellent, budget-friendly option that you should definitely consider.
Advanced Smart Home Integration
Once you’ve got the basics covered, consider these advanced integrations to take your smart home to the next level:
Home Entertainment
First off, you’ll need to take care of the entertainment. Here’s a few ways how you may get that done:
Smart Appliances
Diving deeper into the rabbit hole, here are some more ways in which we can make ourselves ready for when the AI-overlords take over:
Making Your Smart Home… Even Smarter
You know, we just went on an emotional roller-coaster ride, you and me. That was a whole bunch of tech. Which brings me to my next point. What’s the point of having all this cool stuff if you’re able to’t automate it? Luckily, these smart home platforms let you create customized scenes that activate a bunch of devices at once with a single voice command or at the times you select.
Routines And Scenes
How cool would it be toset up a “Rise and Shine” routine that slowly brightens the lights over 15 minutes before your alarm goes off, gradually lifts the motorized window shades, starts brewing a pot of coffee, and turns on your favorite morning news station?All you need to do is get out of bed. Or maybe we can automate that, too?
If that’s not your scene, how about a “Movie Night In” setup that justdims the overhead recessed lighting to 20 percent brightness, lowers the blackout shades, powers on the surround sound system and TV, adjusts the thermostat to 72 degrees, and even pops your popcorn in your smart microwave.With one tap, you’ve got the perfect environment to kick back and watch a film. Automated ambiance, y’all!
Anyway, when it comes to customizing your smart home setup, your options are quite endless.you’re able to create customized automations like these that fit your schedule and activities.Going on vacation? Set all your lights to turn on and off at different times to make it look like someone’s home. Getting ready for bed? Have your smart assistant play sleep sounds, turn off unused appliances, lock the doors, and arm the security system. Whatever makes your life simpler, hombre.
Leveraging Sensors For Smart Environments
If you want automation in the more hardware sense of things, you may also consider using sensors placed strategically around your home/office to automatically adjust things based on motion, openings, or occupancy. Some examples:
Pro-Tip Time By Uncle Sai:You can set your smartphone up with these appliances to set off certain actions when you’re arriving or leaving home. Stuff like turning on the lights, or adjusting the thermostat, arming the security system, etc.
These were just some of our ideas to help you get a broader sense of what it means to get your home automated. As complicated as this might seem, the setup for most, if not all, these devices is rather straightforward and easy-to-do. All you need to do is pick a budget, stick to a platform, and then slowly start buyingsmart devicesthat could help make your life easier.
FAQs
Can I set up a smart home if I’m renting?
Yes, you’re able to absolutely set up a smart home even if you’re renting. A lot of these smart devices are designed to be easily installed and removed without permanent modifications. Options like smart plugs, portable smart speakers, and battery-operated security cameras are great for renters. Just be sure to check with your landlord before installing anything that requires wiring or permanent changes.
Can I control my smart home when I’m away from home?
That would be a yes again, chief. You see, most smart home systems give remote control over them via smartphone apps. This means your devices need to be connected to the internet and your home network has to be operational. However, some systems may require setting up a VPN or port forwarding for full remote access, which can be a pain to set up.
How much does it typically cost to set up a basic smart home system?
The cost of a basic smart home system can vary widely depending on the devices you choose and the size of your home. A starter setup with a smart speaker, a few smart bulbs, and a smart plug might cost around $200-$300. More comprehensive systems with multiple smart devices, security cameras, and a smart thermostat could range from $500 to $1500 or more. Dealers choice, really.
