Here are some ways in which you can transform your living space into a smart home:<\/p>\n
<\/span>1. Your smart phone doubles down as smart gateway and smart IoT<\/span><\/h2>\nIn a lot of IoT applications, the smart phone acts as a gateway for home’s the IoT systems. It collects, encrypt sand compresses data, and securely sends it to the cloud.<\/p>\n
Besides their IoT gateway function, smart phones also work as IoT devices. The ability to gather information about the user and the environment \u2013 temperature, geolocation, health conditions \u2013 and use that to interact with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth makes the smart phone the ultimate IoT device. You can use an app on your phone to control the thermostat\u2019s settings while you\u2019re away from home, or even turn on the lawn sprinklers on or off. This makes it so much easier to take care of your home while you\u2019re on the go.<\/p>\n
![\"smartphone](\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/storagecafe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2020\/08\/smartphone-controlling-a-smart-home.jpg\")
<\/h2>\n<\/span>2. Use your in-home connectivity hub to connect sevices<\/span><\/h2>\nInvesting in a smart home hub simplifies your smart tech \u2013 it\u2019s a single interface controlling all your home devices. They can typically take voice commands, which has drastically changed the way people interact with their homes. For instance, Amazon\u2019s Alexa<\/a> is capable of paying your rent if you ask it verbally. With the help of of RENTCaf\u00e9 Resident Services Alexa Skill<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 a Yardi product \u2013 you can either pay rent, check your balance or place a new service request. All you need to do is check that your property management office allows payments through Alexa.<\/p>\nAnother big name in smart tech is the Google Home<\/a> series with Google Assistant. With Google Home, you not only have remote control of lights, thermostat settings or playing music, but you can also set schedules for your smart devices and get notifications about their activity. While Amazon has held the lead in recent years with the only smart speakers that display time, Google\u2019s products are quickly catching up.<\/p>\n<\/span>3. Take your security up a notch with smart surveillance cameras<\/span><\/h2>\nWhile you\u2019re away, you can keep a watchful eye on your home with a quality home security camera<\/a>. Indoor models like the Wyze Cam Pan<\/a> offer motion and sound detection, time-lapse recording and free cloud storage, so you can check in on your kids and pets. Outdoor models can increase the security of your home: Take the Arlo Ultra<\/a>, which streams and records video in true 4K, or Ultra High Definition. While it\u2019s one of the pricier models on the market, it comes with a multitude of features including motion tracking, automatic zooming, color night vision and an integrated spotlight and siren. In addition, this model comes with one-click 911 connectivity and a 180-degree field-of-view. You can learn more about other security options from the best security companies<\/a> by researching reviews online.<\/p>\n<\/span>4. Welcome guests with either a smart doorbell or a video intercom system<\/span><\/h2>\nFor the entrance to your smart home, you can opt for a smart doorbell or a video Intercom system. With the doorbell, you can view live video on an Amazon Echo Show device using Alexa voice commands. You\u2019d be able to take advantage of this type of connectivity with the Ring Video Doorbell Pro<\/a>\u00a0model. Installation is simple, and the video doorbell comes in a slender design with interchangeable faceplates. With its in-built pre-buffering technology, you can view a recording that shows what set off a motion sensor.<\/p>\nIf you\u2019d like to greet your visitors before they enter your home, then an Intercom system is perfect for you. Take advantage of the doorbell camera<\/a> and microphone that smart devices come with. As you greet your guests at the door, you can even unlock the door remotely.<\/p>\nBonus: You can use an Intercom system as a baby monitor.<\/p>\n
<\/span>5. Increase your home security with keyless locks<\/span><\/h2>\nSmart locks<\/a> are so appealing because they use touchpads and mobile apps to increase the security of your home. Besides eliminating the need to use a key, they\u2019re capable of keeping a log of entrances and exits. You can also remotely authorize access to other people such as dog sitters, cleaners and visitors. Smart locks alert residents whenever their door is opened, and boost their security system to increase protection and peace of mind. For these reasons, a rental equipped with a keyless lock is more likely to attract and retain renters. In a recent article<\/a>\u00a0for Multi-Housing News, Chelsey Schlarb, a business manager for Lincoln Property, said that a keyless lock, \u201ccan keep an eye on the home for them and alert them if there is unauthorized access.\u201d Schlarb added that \u201cpeople want to feel safe in their home. If you feel like your home is of value, if you feel like your home is safe, then it is somewhere you feel secure and you\u2019re going to stay there longer.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"smartphone](\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/storagecafe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2020\/08\/smartphone-and-smart-lock.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re considering getting a keyless lock for your home, look no further than the the Smart Lock Pro + Connect<\/a>, one of the latest models from August Home. This lock offers all the bells and whistles, including DoorSense technology, Z-Wave compatibility and Wi-Fi connectivity.<\/p>\n<\/span>6. Mix practical and appealing with smart lighting<\/span><\/h2>\nSmart lighting helps you create a fun light scheme for your home, but it also saves you money. With smart lighting, you can easily control usage remotely or pre-establish settings. You can program lights to dim, change color and turn on when someone enters a room, and even shut off when they leave. A lot of lighting systems can work outside a central hub while maintaining Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity via your smartphone.<\/p>\n
With its Hue series<\/a> of bulbs and luminaries, Philips is the leader in the lighting market. Their bulbs require a ZigBee radio to Wi-Fi bridge that\u2019s included in their starter kits. You can control these smart bulbs using an app on your smartphone or your tablet. For your lamps, you can\u2019t go wrong with a smart plug, such as the Wemo Mini<\/a>, that allows you to turn the lamp on and off via smartphone.<\/p>\n<\/span>7. Save energy with a smart thermostat<\/span><\/h2>\nThe smart thermostat was created for a more comfortable home and energy savings. This type of device can easily establish a heating and a cooling schedule based on when you\u2019re home, and do so much more. Smart thermostats are able to detect whether you\u2019re home or away, so that the HVAC system operates more efficiently. A lot of smart thermostats can use Wi-Fi connectivity, like the Nest Learning Thermostat<\/a>, which means you can adjust temperature remotely from your phone, tablet or PC.<\/p>\nNewer smart thermostats have been upgraded to include sensors installed in the rooms most frequently used, so that the thermostat operates based on your location in the house \u2014 instead of pushing heating or cooling cycles based on the thermostat\u2019s location, which is typically in a hallway. The Ecobee4<\/a> comes with this new function and includes both sensors and built-in Amazon Echo smart speakers.<\/p>\n![\"smart](\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/storagecafe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2020\/08\/smart-thermostat.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
<\/span>8. Sleep better in a smart bed<\/span><\/h2>\nWith the multitude of activity and sleep trackers out on the market, it\u2019s hard to beat fitness trackers and smartwatches. But maybe your mattress is the most obvious choice for an ideal sleep tracker \u2014 enter the smart bed. Some models include biometric sensors to help improve your sleep, and with the help of an app, you can view your sleep patterns and health metrics to determine the best way to rest better. That\u2019s exactly what Sleep Number\u2019s 360 Smart Bed<\/a> does. It\u2019s a hefty investment, but promises to improve the quality of your sleep.<\/p>\n<\/span>9. Centralize your music with a multi-room audio system<\/span><\/h2>\nWhen it comes to smart home audio solutions, fully customized integration is what you\u2019re looking for. For instance, sophisticated multi-room speaker systems, like those provided by Sonos<\/a>, Yamaha (MusicCast<\/a>) or Denon (HEOS<\/a>), enable you to have speakers in several rooms of your home. You can stream music either from your own collection or from online streaming services, like Spotify. You can use either your smartphone or another digital assistant such as Amazon\u2019s Alexa to control streaming music throughout your space. And they link well with other types of smart home tech: Smart speakers have been widely embraced by other smart home device manufacturers. Many audio systems have themselves now become smart hubs of their own, controlling other smart home amenities, from smart lights to home security cameras.<\/p>\n<\/span>10. Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors will give you peace of mind<\/span><\/h2>\nA smart smoke and carbon monoxide detector does more than trigger that loud alarm: It\u2019s also capable of sending an alarm to your smartphone \u2013 and to anyone you add on to your account \u2013 whenever danger is present. Nest Labs makes a smart smoke and carbon monoxide detector (Nest Protect<\/a>) that does just that. If you also have a Nest Smart Thermostat, the smoke detector can send instructions to the thermostat to turn off the HVAC system in case of a fire, which can help prevent smoke circulation in other rooms. This particular smoke detector also incorporates emergency lights that help you find your way outside during an emergency if your home is full of smoke. Other models such as First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound<\/a>\u00a0include even more advanced features, like an integrated smart speaker.<\/p>\n<\/span>11. Take cooking to the next level with smart kitchen appliances<\/span><\/h2>\nThere\u2019s a lot you can do to make your cooking better and easier to manage if you upgrade some to smart kitchen appliances. If you like sous vide cooking \u2013 where you immerse food sealed in plastic in a hot bath \u2013 you could use a smart immersion circulator. Take, for instance, the Anova Culinary Precision Cooker<\/a>, which uses Wi-Fi connection so you can control it when you\u2019re not in the kitchen, or not even home. A dial allows you to set the desired temperature, while a display shows you both the set and current temperature. With the app that keeps you updated on the cooking process, cooking sous vide is so much more doable.<\/p>\nIf controlling your kitchen appliances with an app suits your fancy, why not try it with your microwave too? For a smart device, \u00a0AmazonBasics Microwave<\/a>\u00a0is easy on your wallet, and instead of app control, it simply takes Alexa voice commands in order to heat up.<\/p>\nGetting smart appliances for your kitchen is great, but what to do with your existing ones? The old fridge might come in handy once your daughter moves into her first apartment, but you\u2019ll need storage until then. This is one of the many instances when self storage can save the day. Renting a storage unit to keep your appliances either for later use, for you or for someone else, is a good idea. Storagecafe.com<\/a>, for example, will allow you to to search for self storage anywhere in the US, down to neighborhood or ZIP Code level, based on preferred amenities, size and budget.<\/p>\n<\/span>12. Let smart lawnmowers keep your lawn in shape<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/h2>\n<\/span>2. Use your in-home connectivity hub to connect sevices<\/span><\/h2>\nInvesting in a smart home hub simplifies your smart tech \u2013 it\u2019s a single interface controlling all your home devices. They can typically take voice commands, which has drastically changed the way people interact with their homes. For instance, Amazon\u2019s Alexa<\/a> is capable of paying your rent if you ask it verbally. With the help of of RENTCaf\u00e9 Resident Services Alexa Skill<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 a Yardi product \u2013 you can either pay rent, check your balance or place a new service request. All you need to do is check that your property management office allows payments through Alexa.<\/p>\nAnother big name in smart tech is the Google Home<\/a> series with Google Assistant. With Google Home, you not only have remote control of lights, thermostat settings or playing music, but you can also set schedules for your smart devices and get notifications about their activity. While Amazon has held the lead in recent years with the only smart speakers that display time, Google\u2019s products are quickly catching up.<\/p>\n<\/span>3. Take your security up a notch with smart surveillance cameras<\/span><\/h2>\nWhile you\u2019re away, you can keep a watchful eye on your home with a quality home security camera<\/a>. Indoor models like the Wyze Cam Pan<\/a> offer motion and sound detection, time-lapse recording and free cloud storage, so you can check in on your kids and pets. Outdoor models can increase the security of your home: Take the Arlo Ultra<\/a>, which streams and records video in true 4K, or Ultra High Definition. While it\u2019s one of the pricier models on the market, it comes with a multitude of features including motion tracking, automatic zooming, color night vision and an integrated spotlight and siren. In addition, this model comes with one-click 911 connectivity and a 180-degree field-of-view. You can learn more about other security options from the best security companies<\/a> by researching reviews online.<\/p>\n<\/span>4. Welcome guests with either a smart doorbell or a video intercom system<\/span><\/h2>\nFor the entrance to your smart home, you can opt for a smart doorbell or a video Intercom system. With the doorbell, you can view live video on an Amazon Echo Show device using Alexa voice commands. You\u2019d be able to take advantage of this type of connectivity with the Ring Video Doorbell Pro<\/a>\u00a0model. Installation is simple, and the video doorbell comes in a slender design with interchangeable faceplates. With its in-built pre-buffering technology, you can view a recording that shows what set off a motion sensor.<\/p>\nIf you\u2019d like to greet your visitors before they enter your home, then an Intercom system is perfect for you. Take advantage of the doorbell camera<\/a> and microphone that smart devices come with. As you greet your guests at the door, you can even unlock the door remotely.<\/p>\nBonus: You can use an Intercom system as a baby monitor.<\/p>\n
<\/span>5. Increase your home security with keyless locks<\/span><\/h2>\nSmart locks<\/a> are so appealing because they use touchpads and mobile apps to increase the security of your home. Besides eliminating the need to use a key, they\u2019re capable of keeping a log of entrances and exits. You can also remotely authorize access to other people such as dog sitters, cleaners and visitors. Smart locks alert residents whenever their door is opened, and boost their security system to increase protection and peace of mind. For these reasons, a rental equipped with a keyless lock is more likely to attract and retain renters. In a recent article<\/a>\u00a0for Multi-Housing News, Chelsey Schlarb, a business manager for Lincoln Property, said that a keyless lock, \u201ccan keep an eye on the home for them and alert them if there is unauthorized access.\u201d Schlarb added that \u201cpeople want to feel safe in their home. If you feel like your home is of value, if you feel like your home is safe, then it is somewhere you feel secure and you\u2019re going to stay there longer.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re considering getting a keyless lock for your home, look no further than the the Smart Lock Pro + Connect<\/a>, one of the latest models from August Home. This lock offers all the bells and whistles, including DoorSense technology, Z-Wave compatibility and Wi-Fi connectivity.<\/p>\n<\/span>6. Mix practical and appealing with smart lighting<\/span><\/h2>\nSmart lighting helps you create a fun light scheme for your home, but it also saves you money. With smart lighting, you can easily control usage remotely or pre-establish settings. You can program lights to dim, change color and turn on when someone enters a room, and even shut off when they leave. A lot of lighting systems can work outside a central hub while maintaining Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity via your smartphone.<\/p>\n
With its Hue series<\/a> of bulbs and luminaries, Philips is the leader in the lighting market. Their bulbs require a ZigBee radio to Wi-Fi bridge that\u2019s included in their starter kits. You can control these smart bulbs using an app on your smartphone or your tablet. For your lamps, you can\u2019t go wrong with a smart plug, such as the Wemo Mini<\/a>, that allows you to turn the lamp on and off via smartphone.<\/p>\n<\/span>7. Save energy with a smart thermostat<\/span><\/h2>\nThe smart thermostat was created for a more comfortable home and energy savings. This type of device can easily establish a heating and a cooling schedule based on when you\u2019re home, and do so much more. Smart thermostats are able to detect whether you\u2019re home or away, so that the HVAC system operates more efficiently. A lot of smart thermostats can use Wi-Fi connectivity, like the Nest Learning Thermostat<\/a>, which means you can adjust temperature remotely from your phone, tablet or PC.<\/p>\nNewer smart thermostats have been upgraded to include sensors installed in the rooms most frequently used, so that the thermostat operates based on your location in the house \u2014 instead of pushing heating or cooling cycles based on the thermostat\u2019s location, which is typically in a hallway. The Ecobee4<\/a> comes with this new function and includes both sensors and built-in Amazon Echo smart speakers.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/span>8. Sleep better in a smart bed<\/span><\/h2>\nWith the multitude of activity and sleep trackers out on the market, it\u2019s hard to beat fitness trackers and smartwatches. But maybe your mattress is the most obvious choice for an ideal sleep tracker \u2014 enter the smart bed. Some models include biometric sensors to help improve your sleep, and with the help of an app, you can view your sleep patterns and health metrics to determine the best way to rest better. That\u2019s exactly what Sleep Number\u2019s 360 Smart Bed<\/a> does. It\u2019s a hefty investment, but promises to improve the quality of your sleep.<\/p>\n<\/span>9. Centralize your music with a multi-room audio system<\/span><\/h2>\nWhen it comes to smart home audio solutions, fully customized integration is what you\u2019re looking for. For instance, sophisticated multi-room speaker systems, like those provided by Sonos<\/a>, Yamaha (MusicCast<\/a>) or Denon (HEOS<\/a>), enable you to have speakers in several rooms of your home. You can stream music either from your own collection or from online streaming services, like Spotify. You can use either your smartphone or another digital assistant such as Amazon\u2019s Alexa to control streaming music throughout your space. And they link well with other types of smart home tech: Smart speakers have been widely embraced by other smart home device manufacturers. Many audio systems have themselves now become smart hubs of their own, controlling other smart home amenities, from smart lights to home security cameras.<\/p>\n<\/span>10. Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors will give you peace of mind<\/span><\/h2>\nA smart smoke and carbon monoxide detector does more than trigger that loud alarm: It\u2019s also capable of sending an alarm to your smartphone \u2013 and to anyone you add on to your account \u2013 whenever danger is present. Nest Labs makes a smart smoke and carbon monoxide detector (Nest Protect<\/a>) that does just that. If you also have a Nest Smart Thermostat, the smoke detector can send instructions to the thermostat to turn off the HVAC system in case of a fire, which can help prevent smoke circulation in other rooms. This particular smoke detector also incorporates emergency lights that help you find your way outside during an emergency if your home is full of smoke. Other models such as First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound<\/a>\u00a0include even more advanced features, like an integrated smart speaker.<\/p>\n<\/span>11. Take cooking to the next level with smart kitchen appliances<\/span><\/h2>\nThere\u2019s a lot you can do to make your cooking better and easier to manage if you upgrade some to smart kitchen appliances. If you like sous vide cooking \u2013 where you immerse food sealed in plastic in a hot bath \u2013 you could use a smart immersion circulator. Take, for instance, the Anova Culinary Precision Cooker<\/a>, which uses Wi-Fi connection so you can control it when you\u2019re not in the kitchen, or not even home. A dial allows you to set the desired temperature, while a display shows you both the set and current temperature. With the app that keeps you updated on the cooking process, cooking sous vide is so much more doable.<\/p>\nIf controlling your kitchen appliances with an app suits your fancy, why not try it with your microwave too? For a smart device, \u00a0AmazonBasics Microwave<\/a>\u00a0is easy on your wallet, and instead of app control, it simply takes Alexa voice commands in order to heat up.<\/p>\nGetting smart appliances for your kitchen is great, but what to do with your existing ones? The old fridge might come in handy once your daughter moves into her first apartment, but you\u2019ll need storage until then. This is one of the many instances when self storage can save the day. Renting a storage unit to keep your appliances either for later use, for you or for someone else, is a good idea. Storagecafe.com<\/a>, for example, will allow you to to search for self storage anywhere in the US, down to neighborhood or ZIP Code level, based on preferred amenities, size and budget.<\/p>\n<\/span>12. Let smart lawnmowers keep your lawn in shape<\/span><\/h2>\n
Another big name in smart tech is the Google Home<\/a> series with Google Assistant. With Google Home, you not only have remote control of lights, thermostat settings or playing music, but you can also set schedules for your smart devices and get notifications about their activity. While Amazon has held the lead in recent years with the only smart speakers that display time, Google\u2019s products are quickly catching up.<\/p>\n While you\u2019re away, you can keep a watchful eye on your home with a quality home security camera<\/a>. Indoor models like the Wyze Cam Pan<\/a> offer motion and sound detection, time-lapse recording and free cloud storage, so you can check in on your kids and pets. Outdoor models can increase the security of your home: Take the Arlo Ultra<\/a>, which streams and records video in true 4K, or Ultra High Definition. While it\u2019s one of the pricier models on the market, it comes with a multitude of features including motion tracking, automatic zooming, color night vision and an integrated spotlight and siren. In addition, this model comes with one-click 911 connectivity and a 180-degree field-of-view. You can learn more about other security options from the best security companies<\/a> by researching reviews online.<\/p>\n For the entrance to your smart home, you can opt for a smart doorbell or a video Intercom system. With the doorbell, you can view live video on an Amazon Echo Show device using Alexa voice commands. You\u2019d be able to take advantage of this type of connectivity with the Ring Video Doorbell Pro<\/a>\u00a0model. Installation is simple, and the video doorbell comes in a slender design with interchangeable faceplates. With its in-built pre-buffering technology, you can view a recording that shows what set off a motion sensor.<\/p>\n If you\u2019d like to greet your visitors before they enter your home, then an Intercom system is perfect for you. Take advantage of the doorbell camera<\/a> and microphone that smart devices come with. As you greet your guests at the door, you can even unlock the door remotely.<\/p>\n Bonus: You can use an Intercom system as a baby monitor.<\/p>\n Smart locks<\/a> are so appealing because they use touchpads and mobile apps to increase the security of your home. Besides eliminating the need to use a key, they\u2019re capable of keeping a log of entrances and exits. You can also remotely authorize access to other people such as dog sitters, cleaners and visitors. Smart locks alert residents whenever their door is opened, and boost their security system to increase protection and peace of mind. For these reasons, a rental equipped with a keyless lock is more likely to attract and retain renters. In a recent article<\/a>\u00a0for Multi-Housing News, Chelsey Schlarb, a business manager for Lincoln Property, said that a keyless lock, \u201ccan keep an eye on the home for them and alert them if there is unauthorized access.\u201d Schlarb added that \u201cpeople want to feel safe in their home. If you feel like your home is of value, if you feel like your home is safe, then it is somewhere you feel secure and you\u2019re going to stay there longer.\u201d<\/p>\n If you\u2019re considering getting a keyless lock for your home, look no further than the the Smart Lock Pro + Connect<\/a>, one of the latest models from August Home. This lock offers all the bells and whistles, including DoorSense technology, Z-Wave compatibility and Wi-Fi connectivity.<\/p>\n Smart lighting helps you create a fun light scheme for your home, but it also saves you money. With smart lighting, you can easily control usage remotely or pre-establish settings. You can program lights to dim, change color and turn on when someone enters a room, and even shut off when they leave. A lot of lighting systems can work outside a central hub while maintaining Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity via your smartphone.<\/p>\n With its Hue series<\/a> of bulbs and luminaries, Philips is the leader in the lighting market. Their bulbs require a ZigBee radio to Wi-Fi bridge that\u2019s included in their starter kits. You can control these smart bulbs using an app on your smartphone or your tablet. For your lamps, you can\u2019t go wrong with a smart plug, such as the Wemo Mini<\/a>, that allows you to turn the lamp on and off via smartphone.<\/p>\n The smart thermostat was created for a more comfortable home and energy savings. This type of device can easily establish a heating and a cooling schedule based on when you\u2019re home, and do so much more. Smart thermostats are able to detect whether you\u2019re home or away, so that the HVAC system operates more efficiently. A lot of smart thermostats can use Wi-Fi connectivity, like the Nest Learning Thermostat<\/a>, which means you can adjust temperature remotely from your phone, tablet or PC.<\/p>\n Newer smart thermostats have been upgraded to include sensors installed in the rooms most frequently used, so that the thermostat operates based on your location in the house \u2014 instead of pushing heating or cooling cycles based on the thermostat\u2019s location, which is typically in a hallway. The Ecobee4<\/a> comes with this new function and includes both sensors and built-in Amazon Echo smart speakers.<\/p>\n With the multitude of activity and sleep trackers out on the market, it\u2019s hard to beat fitness trackers and smartwatches. But maybe your mattress is the most obvious choice for an ideal sleep tracker \u2014 enter the smart bed. Some models include biometric sensors to help improve your sleep, and with the help of an app, you can view your sleep patterns and health metrics to determine the best way to rest better. That\u2019s exactly what Sleep Number\u2019s 360 Smart Bed<\/a> does. It\u2019s a hefty investment, but promises to improve the quality of your sleep.<\/p>\n When it comes to smart home audio solutions, fully customized integration is what you\u2019re looking for. For instance, sophisticated multi-room speaker systems, like those provided by Sonos<\/a>, Yamaha (MusicCast<\/a>) or Denon (HEOS<\/a>), enable you to have speakers in several rooms of your home. You can stream music either from your own collection or from online streaming services, like Spotify. You can use either your smartphone or another digital assistant such as Amazon\u2019s Alexa to control streaming music throughout your space. And they link well with other types of smart home tech: Smart speakers have been widely embraced by other smart home device manufacturers. Many audio systems have themselves now become smart hubs of their own, controlling other smart home amenities, from smart lights to home security cameras.<\/p>\n A smart smoke and carbon monoxide detector does more than trigger that loud alarm: It\u2019s also capable of sending an alarm to your smartphone \u2013 and to anyone you add on to your account \u2013 whenever danger is present. Nest Labs makes a smart smoke and carbon monoxide detector (Nest Protect<\/a>) that does just that. If you also have a Nest Smart Thermostat, the smoke detector can send instructions to the thermostat to turn off the HVAC system in case of a fire, which can help prevent smoke circulation in other rooms. This particular smoke detector also incorporates emergency lights that help you find your way outside during an emergency if your home is full of smoke. Other models such as First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound<\/a>\u00a0include even more advanced features, like an integrated smart speaker.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a lot you can do to make your cooking better and easier to manage if you upgrade some to smart kitchen appliances. If you like sous vide cooking \u2013 where you immerse food sealed in plastic in a hot bath \u2013 you could use a smart immersion circulator. Take, for instance, the Anova Culinary Precision Cooker<\/a>, which uses Wi-Fi connection so you can control it when you\u2019re not in the kitchen, or not even home. A dial allows you to set the desired temperature, while a display shows you both the set and current temperature. With the app that keeps you updated on the cooking process, cooking sous vide is so much more doable.<\/p>\n If controlling your kitchen appliances with an app suits your fancy, why not try it with your microwave too? For a smart device, \u00a0AmazonBasics Microwave<\/a>\u00a0is easy on your wallet, and instead of app control, it simply takes Alexa voice commands in order to heat up.<\/p>\n Getting smart appliances for your kitchen is great, but what to do with your existing ones? The old fridge might come in handy once your daughter moves into her first apartment, but you\u2019ll need storage until then. This is one of the many instances when self storage can save the day. Renting a storage unit to keep your appliances either for later use, for you or for someone else, is a good idea. Storagecafe.com<\/a>, for example, will allow you to to search for self storage anywhere in the US, down to neighborhood or ZIP Code level, based on preferred amenities, size and budget.<\/p>\n<\/span>3. Take your security up a notch with smart surveillance cameras<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>4. Welcome guests with either a smart doorbell or a video intercom system<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>5. Increase your home security with keyless locks<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n<\/span>6. Mix practical and appealing with smart lighting<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>7. Save energy with a smart thermostat<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n<\/span>8. Sleep better in a smart bed<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>9. Centralize your music with a multi-room audio system<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>10. Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors will give you peace of mind<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>11. Take cooking to the next level with smart kitchen appliances<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>12. Let smart lawnmowers keep your lawn in shape<\/span><\/h2>\n