Looking for some smart home ideas? Upgrading your home with modern technology is the answer. Smart homes also referred to as domotic spaces, can make your sanctuary comfortable, convenient, and energy-efficient like never before.
A smart home is a setup where an internet connection on a mobile or any other networked device allows users to control devices and appliances automatically from anywhere. The idea of a smart home — committed to making our lives a lot easier and more coherent — has been manifested by people for many years now resulting in an ongoing explosion of IoT.
In this article, we highlight some well-known smart devices with new and interesting functionalities that you may have overlooked. We hope this inspires the tech geek in you to consider incorporating these latest technologies, whether big or small — but if you prefer working with a professional, book a chat with one of our Interior Design Gurus.
Smart Home Ideas: Smart Plugs
Credit: Good Housekeeping
Smart plugs are one of the easiest-to-use yet affordable smart home items. They are fitted between sockets and power cords to work as a remote-controlled power switch from your phone.
The current electronics you have are probably not capable of being synced with your tablet or mobile. With smart plugs, home automation has become simpler than ever. They can be connected to existing sockets, allowing all electrical devices to be controlled by speakers and smart home apps. They not only transform your old appliances into smart machines but also help you keep track of the energy bills incurred by every device. You can then decide which costly appliances need a replacement with energy-efficient ones.
Thermostat Geofencing
Credit: NY Times
Many people are aware of smart thermostats that allow you to control your temperature settings from your phone. But geofencing is another great technology embedded into most smart thermostats.
While the term may sound very complicated, the logic behind this term is quite simple. It refers to the use of sensors that trigger a response when your smart phone enters or leaves an area.
Smart thermostats based on geofencing have the ability to switch on when someone enters and switch off when the particular area is empty, without you even having to think about it. So, for example, when you leave your home in a hurry and forget to switch off the air conditioning/heating system such solutions are life savers! The best part is that this incredible facility allows you to save huge amounts on electricity bills each month.
Smart Refrigerator
Credit: Lifewire
A smart refrigerator is one that can connect and communicate with the internet. This high-tech programmed appliance can detect the kinds of food stored in it and take care of details such as usage, expiry, and when a food item needs to be replenished.
Smart fridges have wide-angled cameras installed, which allow you to check whether you need more oat milk whilst at the grocery store! You can also receive notifications if the fridge door is left open, find measurement conversions, search for recipes and update your grocery list.
Automatic Faucet
Credit: Quooker
From full armloads to greasy hands, there are many instances where you might wish to have a sink that turns on just by speaking to it. This is where smart faucets come in handy. A touchless kitchen tap provides you with the luxury of using your voice or a gesture (like a wave) to turn on the faucet. These amazing gadgets also dispense exact water measurements. Need two cups of water for the dish you’re cooking? Just ask!
There are also taps that have sparkling, chilled or boiling water settings that can be dispensed immediately!
Smart Light Bulbs
Credit: Ikea
Traditional light switches are convenient if the room isn’t multi-purpose. However, people have converted their living rooms into great rooms which combine the roles of several traditional rooms, including the study, kitchen, and living room. Smart light panels are an effective option for such busy spaces. They permit you to control the amount of light available at the touch of a button. Not to forget, they consume less energy and last longer, saving you money in the long run. You can check out some of the best smart lights here.
Alternatively, you can also switch to light bulbs that have sensors. They can sense the light and grow dimmer, brighter, or even switch on and off according to the presence of people.
Our Final Thoughts
The smart home is a timeless design trend that is here to stay!
The promising smart devices offered by smart technology have substantially improved the quality of our lives by making every task both time and energy-efficient. Adjusting our lights to switch on automatically when the sun goes down, answering our kids' infinite curiosities with a virtual assistant, programming our heat system to switch on as we walk in, lowering our energy consumption with a simple voice command, or setting the indoor temperatures according to the weather — the possibilities are endless!
It's time to customise our homes with smart technologies to revolutionise how we perform tasks, use energy, and interact with our home products.
Need help with selecting the right smart tech for your space? Book one of our Interior Design Gurus for a 30-minute video call. Transforming your home into a space you love shouldn't be a daunting task. With HiiGuru you can save time, avoid costly mistakes and bring your goals to life with experts by your side.