Top tips on how to create the perfect smart home

According to recent data, in 2021, there were reportedly 258.54 million smart homes across the world¹, showcasing just how popular smart home technology has become in recent years.

And whether you’re an early adopter of this type of technology or just starting your journey into creating your own smart home, the home security experts at Yale are here to help. With their expertise in all things ‘smart security’ related, the team have shared their top tips on how to create the perfect smart home for you and your family.

Step 1 - Utilise the help of a smart hub

Millions of homes across the world utilise the many benefits of smart hubs and voice assistants to help control their smart home technology using just their voice. Since they emerged around a decade ago, voice assistants, like that of Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, have been the catalyst for many homeowners to begin embracing smart home technology.

With this in mind, for those looking to start their smart home, a smart hub and voice assistant are a great first step into the world of smart home gadgets. Not only do they allow for the control of many smart home gadgets using their voice, but they are also a simple, easy way for the less technologically savvy homeowner to understand how these gadgets work.

If you’re new to the world of smart home gadgets, we would recommend first investing in a voice assistant to ensure you have the best chance of controlling your future products easily and conveniently.

Step 2 - Plan your smart home around your lifestyle

Once you’ve taken the plunge into the world of smart home technology by investing in a voice assistant, deciding on the perfect smart home products for your needs takes a lot of consideration.

In terms of the types of smart home products you can choose from, there are:

• smart heating
• smart lighting
• smart speakers
• smart blinds and other home accessories
• smart entertainment products including televisions and sound systems
• and smart security products including smart alarms, security cameras and smart locks

With such an array of smart home products on the market, it can become overwhelming to select the right solutions for your needs. But we’d recommend thinking about how you plan to use your smart home products before taking the plunge and investing.

For example, if you’re away from home regularly for work, then smart lighting is a great investment, as it allows you to remotely switch on your lights from afar via a smartphone to make your home look lived in.

The same can be said for smart security products like a smart alarm. A smart alarm is a great investment to protect your home and can allow you to remotely arm and disarm your alarm from anywhere at any time. If you’re regularly out of the house or simply want the peace of mind that your home is always protected, a smart home alarm could be a great investment to work for your needs.

Step 3 – Ensure your home is ‘smart ready’

Of course, picking your new gadgets is the best part of investing in smart home technology. But it’s also essential that your home is prepared for the introduction of smart home products prior to installation.

Alongside investing in a smart hub and voice assistant, it’s also worth double checking that you have sufficient Wi-Fi connection, as most, if not all, connected products in today’s market require a Wi-Fi connection to operate.

If you’re planning to invest in an array of smart home security products, it’s important to note that you may require a faster internet connection to provide seamless control of your gadgets. There are apps available that allow you to check how well your Wi-Fi connection can operate currently if you already have a few smart home gadgets in your home, so it’s worth researching this before investing any further.

Alongside your internet connection, it’s also essential that you check that your chosen products are compatible with your hub or voice assistant, as without the correct connectivity, your new gadget won’t be able to operate.

Most smart home brands clearly state, either on their website or on the product’s box, which software is compatible with the gadget, so we’d recommend always double checking this before purchasing.

Step 4 – Opting for high quality products from trusted brands

When deciding on your smart home products of choice, we would also recommend opting for those that are sold by trusted brands in the sector, such as Yale. Smart home gadgets are still in their infancy, so opting for a product from a well-known brand in the industry will offer a safer and more secure solution.

Many homeowners can still be concerned over the security of connected and smart solutions, so, alongside opting for products from a trusted brand, we’d also recommend getting to know the standards for these products too.

Each country will have a different set of standards to adhere to but opting for products that have a ‘seal of approval’ from an independent industry body will ensure that your chosen gadget has been rigorously tested. This will provide homeowners with the peace of mind that their new gadgets are safe and secure, allowing them to feel confident in the security of their smart home.

Step 5 – The installation

Once you have selected your chosen gadgets and are confident that they are compatible with your hub and voice assistant, installation is the final important part of building the perfect smart home.

Smart home gadgets are often designed for slick, easy installation, and can usually be quickly fitted to be up and running in no time at all. But, although it can be easy, it’s essential that smart home gadgets are installed correctly, not only for security purposes, but for useability too.

As the name suggests, the majority of smart home devices are controlled via the use of a smartphone, so they very often have a corresponding app or work through an existing app found on your phone. Apps often have a seamless setup process, usually just requiring a few personal details and processes to connect your device to your hub and smartphone.

Some products have made it even simpler by adding a QR code or serial number to connect your device, so you can get your new product up and running in no time at all.

And once your new kit is setup properly, you can be on the road to creating the perfect smart home that works for you, your family and your lifestyle.

For more advice and information on how to create your perfect smart home with home security products from Yale, explore our website.

¹EarthWeb, 2022