WHAT’S NEW
Do you remember when you were a kid and your vision of the future was all flying cars and house robots? Well, congratulations: the future has arrived. And although those flying cars might not be ready for mass consumption just yet, a smart home that works for you is perfectly attainable.
Using smart devices to help manage your home not only makes your life easier. However, many forms of smart home tech also reduce utility usage and improve your home’s carbon footprint. You’ll improve your life and become more eco-friendly all at once! Here’s how to get started:
Think About Safety
If you’re looking to outfit your whole home in smart tech, it’s absolutely vital that your network is both fast and secure. After all, the more items and elements in your home that are connected to the internet, the more bandwidth you’ll need and the more points of vulnerability your network has.
When calculating how much bandwidth you need, it is essential to consider all your devices. From video game lags to frozen Zoom calls to unresponsive smart home devices, subpar internet can affect more than just your smart home devices. If it’s available in your area, a 5G network is a popular choice for speed and reliability for all your internet-enabled devices. If you have cable or DSL, you may want to consider upgrading your equipment to better serve your devices.
Sometimes people struggle to understand the risks of leaving their smart devices vulnerable. However, imagine a prankster getting hold of your washing machine and making it run dozens of times for no reason, spiking your water and electricity bill. That’s why keeping your network secure is absolutely vital. The good news is that the newer the device, the better the security features. For example, 6-digit passcodes, fingerprint access, and face recognition software on the latest smartphones and tablets prevent unauthorized access and purchases. While new devices are expensive, you could be putting yourself at risk by holding out to save money. Upgrade for less by taking advantage of seasonal offers from popular providers, and give yourself peace of mind.
Define Your Goals
No two households are alike, so there’s no reason to assume any two smart homes will be the same. Before you start adding all the smart tech you learn about, think about what you really want out of your smart home. For example, maybe you’d like to reduce your energy consumption. In that case, a smart thermostat might be the right place to start. These allow you to keep your heating and cooling low while you’re out and turn them back on when you’re on your way home, saving you energy that’s only keeping an empty house comfortable.
Alternatively, your big goal might be to improve your home’s accessibility. Smart tech has a lot to offer people with disabilities since so much of it offers voice activation and automation. Take a smart faucet, for example. Visual impairment can make measuring for recipes a major challenge. There are smart faucets that will pour out the exact amount of water you ask for, so if you’re making a recipe that needs three cups, all you have to do is ask and wait. Little things like this can add up and make your day-to-day life substantially simpler.
Start Small
Finally, your best bet when it comes to creating a smart home is to start small. It’s best to give yourself time to get used to smart home technology and how it works before you have a ton of smart tech set up around your house. For starters, this prevents you from getting overwhelmed by everything you’ve set up, which can result in you avoiding using it at all. Moreover, when you set it up gradually, you’ll be better able to gauge what new pieces of tech will add new, functional features.
Build your smart house up slowly, and over time, you’ll have a super functional, extremely convenient home. And let’s indulge for a moment: it’s also really fun. With a good plan and a thoughtful approach, you can bring the sci-fi future of your dreams into the present. To read more about how Smart Homes are Redefining Interior Design, click this link!
Need help planning your perfect home? At Greenbrook Design, that’s what we do! Contact us today.
Greenbrook DesignColor is always a fun element in design, one that can affect the mood or change the style of the room. Each company’s choice is beautiful and offers a variety of options for everyone. Don’t be afraid to try something new, you never know, but you may like it so much it will become the new favorite in your home.
Walker WoodworkingA new year means new opportunities to accomplish what’s been on your to-do list, including that home renovation. As we prepare to move into the new year, let’s discuss some of the design trends that are being predicted by those in the interior design world.
The right light can do much more than just illuminate a room. It can create a more inviting atmosphere in the room and give the illusion of a larger space. When selecting lighting for your home, there are multiple factors to keep in mind, such as size, amount, and placement. Since it is an essential part of designing an area, we thought it would be helpful to share five key considerations when selecting your lighting.
Walker WoodworkingOne of the main questions asked during the design meeting is what color the owners want for their kitchen cabinets. Were they looking to do a natural wood or a color instead? While many will opt to do the wood, many enjoy adding a splash of color to their kitchen or mixing and matching. It is a great way to break up the area and create a focal point, but with so many options available, how do you know which one is right for you? While it is up to you in the end, there are three colors that have stood out for some time and will most likely continue to do so. White, gray, and blue remain high on the selection chart, so let’s talk about these popular colors and why they may be the right fit for you.
Walker WoodworkingWhile the kitchen was often viewed as the place where food was merely prepped and served, it has transitioned into a command center as people gather to talk or enjoy a snack while getting some work done. Layouts have slowly shifted to accommodate this change, which has produced the open concept. This floor plan allows families to stay connected even when they are doing things in different areas of the home. While not as popular as it was in the 1990s and early 2000s, many families still choose this floor plan because of their desire to stay close to their family and guests. Today, we want to discuss the open floor concept, the elements that make it up, and if it is the right fit for your family.
Walker Woodworking