A Budget-Friendly Guide to Creating a Smart Home

Article by Shirley Martin, info@tidylifetoday.com

Smart homes are becoming increasingly popular as people are gaining an appreciation for the convenience they provide. A whopping 57% of Americans report that owning smart devices saves them at least 30 minutes every day. If you are thinking of jumping aboard the high-tech trend, now is the perfect time. There are more products on the market than ever, making it easier to find affordable deals. Read on to learn how to create an interconnected home with smart products without breaking the bank.

Look online to find affordable products that suit your unique needs

There are a variety of smart home products available and it's up to you to determine which devices will meet your precise needs and make your life easier. Nest is one popular provider. Their smart home line of products includes the Nest Learning Thermostat, which learns your family's preferences and programs itself to keep you comfortable. They also offer a carbon monoxide alarm, which protects you and your loved ones from potentially fatal carbon monoxide poisoning.

TP-Link is another option, providing networked devices for both homes and businesses. One popular product is the Kasa, an indoor security camera that connects to your smartphone so you can keep an eye on your space at all times. It features 1080p HD video and night vision. You can also get smart lighting in a range of colors. This lets you set the perfect ambience automatically, as you can schedule your lights to change on a timer. You can also control them directly using voice commands and a smart assistant like Alexa, Google Assistant, or Microsoft Cortana.

Whatever brand or product you opt for, take the time to shop around to find the best deals. You can often find bargains online. E-commerce sites offer many ways to save, such as promotions and cashback offers, allowing you to make the most out of your money.

Whatever smart devices you use, make sure your home digital security is up to par. Protecting your devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets) with anti-virus software can help ensure that your personal information isn’t compromised.

Find cost-efficient ways to make your high-tech gear blend in visually

When you purchase your smart home products, you also want to find ways to make them blend into your home. While an indoor camera may be useful for keeping your property secure, it’s not necessarily pretty to look at. Luckily there are many tips, tricks, and tools that can help you create a high-tech smart home without ruining the aesthetic appeal of your cozy space. There are diverse ways to conceal electrical cords and wires, for example. You can hide routers and other unsightly devices in wicker baskets, or use zip ties to bundle cords.

First, when choosing your devices, strive for a cohesive appearance by coordinating colors. For example, when choosing a smart doorbell, get one in a shade that matches the finish of your doorframe. If you can't find an identical hue, choose a complementary color. Sessions College’s online color calculator provides a handy visual guide on what shades match one another.

Your choice of furniture can also help in seamlessly integrating smart devices into your home. When buying bookcases or wardrobes, for example, look for models that don’t leave a gap underneath but come down fully to the floor. This will make it easy to hide electrical cords behind them. You can also use furniture to offset the high-tech appearance of smart tools. For example, if you can't hide a device—like a smart speaker—balance out its modern appearance by placing it on a rustic wooden shelf or next to a leafy potted plant.

Follow these tips and you will be able to set up your smart home on a budget with ease. You can then enjoy the advantages of a smart home—like increased energy efficiency and improved home security—without worrying about your wallet.

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