Elevate Your Home With Smart Home Ideas

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The living room is one of the largest areas of the home where the entire family can benefit from smart home technology. Incorporating smart home technology here can create a better quality of life for everyone in the home.

Comfort & Entertainment: Smart Lights & Media Control

• Smart LED Bulbs & Light Strips: Smart lights help you easily create and customize the best lighting conditions in the living room for many activities. Use color adjusting and dimmable bulbs to go from warm lights for reading or crafting, to bright, cool lights for cleaning or precision work. Create ambiance for gatherings by tuning lights with assorted color options. Voice and mobile app control help those with mobility or vision challenges to make lighting adjustments with little to no effort.
• Smart Blinds/Curtains: Automating natural light control can improve comfort and make a positive impact on energy savings. In addition, users with limited motion can find smart blinds and shades easier to operate than traditional manual types. While homeowners always have the option to upgrade to smart window coverings, there are more budget-friendly alternatives. A retrofit kit can convert some types of manual blinds and shades to a smart system operation, with a simple installation.
• Universal Remotes & Voice Control for Media: Universal remotes make it easier to control multiple media devices from one central hub. This saves the frustration of searching for the correct remote for each device and saves time when selecting from among various streaming devices or services. Voice command through the remote can make devices even more accessible for elderly or mobility-impaired users.

Energy Efficiency & Accessibility: Smart Thermostats & Plugs

• Smart Thermostats: Smart thermostats are a worthwhile addition to a smart home strategy when trying to optimize for comfort and energy efficiency. They make it easy to manage energy usage, cutting it when not needed. The system picks up schedules and preferences to keep the home temperatures comfortable year-round. Accessible through voice, app and/or large, easy-to-read displays, smart thermostats can be managed by anyone in the home.
• Smart Plugs: Smart plugs that are controlled via smartphone, tablet or voice are excellent ways to economically upgrade to smart home technology. Plugging in manual devices allows users to remotely switch devices on or off, avoiding hard-to-reach outlets and reducing phantom power draw.

Convenience, Safety & Voice Control: Smart Speakers & Hubs

• Smart Speakers: Smart speakers provide hands-free control of living room devices. This is convenient for any user, but particularly valuable for users with visual, dexterity, or mobility impairments. Play music, get answers to simple questions, and set reminders or emergency notifications, by interacting with a helpful always-present assistant.

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Make the kitchen more efficient, safer, and more accessible with smart technology for everyone, including the elderly and those with disabilities.

Convenience & Cooking: Smart Appliances & Assistants

• Smart Displays: Smart displays provide hands-free access in the kitchen – exceptional for users with trouble manipulating small buttons or reading small print. View recipes, set multiple timers, or make video calls with simple voice commands.
• Smart Plugs for Small Appliances: Use smart plugs to automate coffee makers, slow cookers and other small appliances. Kitchen tasks like making coffee or starting dinner can be done remotely via apps, using voice commands or using scheduled routines.
• Smart Refrigerators & Ovens: Inventory tracking, meal planning and remote preheating are among the many smart features that elevate major appliances to kitchen helpers. Many models offer voice interaction and smartphone control.

Safety & Security: Smart Sensors

• Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: With real-time alerts to your phone and spoken warnings, smart tech is a valuable safety measure in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Water Leak Sensors: Water leak sensors with smart enhancements can head off water damage and save homeowners hundreds to thousands of dollars, along with days of inconvenience. Place under sinks or dishwashers to quickly detect leaks. Notifications can be sent to phones, apps and even email, offering additional peace of mind.
• Smart Stovetop Monitors: These smart monitors can be invaluable in homes with residents with memory or mobility issues. They automatically shut off the stove if it is left on for too long or in case of danger.

Accessibility & Voice Control

• Voice assistants and app-based controls make it easier for people with mobility or dexterity challenges to operate devices, manage lights, or check appliance status from anywhere in the home or with minimal movement.

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Smart devices in the bathroom can add a touch of luxury to the space, along with adding features that support your daily routines.

Comfort & Convenience: Smart Fixtures

• Smart Shower Controls: Using voice commands or an app, quickly adjust water pressure and temperature with built-in smart shower system. There are also smart shower heads, standalone options that are easier to install and more budget-friendly.
• Smart Toilets: Smart toilets offer many comfort features such as night lights, adjustable water pressure and heated seats. In addition, remote flushing and touchless lids make it cleaner and easy to use for every member of the family.
• Smart Mirrors & Lighting: A smart mirror in the bathroom can serve multiple functions. As a smart screen, it can deliver information to keep your morning routine on track, such as time and weather updates. However, it can also serve as an additional smart hub, allowing you to control other smart devices and lights in the home hands free or through an app.
• Smart Scales: Smart scales are valuable for tracking important health metrics. With direct sync to a health app, the scales can be a useful tool for caregivers to remotely track their patients’ progress.

Safety & Efficiency: Smart Ventilation and Sensors

• Smart Bathroom Fan Switches: Applying smart tech to bathroom fans allows automation using humidity sensors to reduce moisture in the room.
• Slip and Fall Sensors: Smart fall detection technology can be a life-saving addition to a bathroom. Sensors alert an app in the event of a fall, giving peace of mind to caregivers for the elderly or impaired.

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Smart technology in the bedroom helps create a restful environment that supports good sleep hygiene and a comfortable atmosphere.

Comfort & Ambiance: Automated Routines

• Smart Lighting: Set "wake-up" and "wind-down" scenes that mimic sunrise and sunset. Lights can be controlled by voice or app, making it easier for those with mobility limitations to operate them without getting out of bed.
• Smart Blinds: Automate blinds to open or close with an alarm, voice command, or preset schedule. This benefits elderly or disabled users who may find manual controls difficult to reach or operate.
• Smart Diffusers & Air Purifiers: Adjust air quality and aromatherapy from a smartphone or with voice commands to promote better sleep, important for individuals with asthma or other health conditions.

Convenience & Energy: Smart Climate & Power

• Smart Thermostat Sensors: Keep the bedroom at an ideal temperature for sleep and adjust using voice controls without leaving the bed.
• Smart Plugs: Smart plugs are a great small step toward smart home integration. Connect your favorite electronics to a smart plug, and you have the benefits of remote control, scheduling or automation from a central app. Easily manage charging stations, fans, media players and more, without having to upgrade every device.

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Smart technology helps parents and caregivers create a safer, more comfortable environment for young children—making monitoring and daily routines easier for everyone, regardless of mobility or physical ability.

Safety & Monitoring: Smart Cameras & Sensors

• Smart Baby Monitors: High-definition video, sleep tracking, and two-way audio make it easy for anyone—from parents to grandparents or caregivers with limited mobility—to keep an eye and ear on the child from anywhere using a phone or tablet. For a more budget-friendly option, choose a Bluetooth-enabled monitor for home monitoring – no Wi-Fi needed.
• Contact Sensors: These smart monitors can be extremely valuable for caregivers who may not move quickly but need to stay informed. Receive instant alerts if doors, windows, or crib gates are opened unexpectedly.

Comfort & Accessible Routines: Smart Lighting & Sound

• Smart Night Lights: Customizable lights and soothing sounds controlled by phone or voice assistant let caregivers dim the room, start bedtime sound routines, or comfort a child without physically entering the room.
• Smart Plugs: Easily automate or schedule devices like white noise machines, fans, or bottle warmers through an app, reducing the need for manual plug-in or unplugging.
• Smart Thermostats, Environmental Sensors or Room Sensors: Monitor nursery temperature, humidity and air quality remotely, supporting safer environments without the need for frequent physical checks. Maintain a comfortable, safe nursery temperature automatically, and adjust remotely from a phone or by voice — ideal for caregivers who benefit from reduced physical tasks.

Tip: When using smart technology in a child’s room, be sure to connect devices to a secure network. In addition, use the highest level of security setting on any installed device.

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Multi-use spaces benefit from smart technology by automating and simplifying daily tasks. Whether you’re working from home, relaxing with family or enjoying personal hobbies, use a combination of smart devices, speakers and plugs to easily build a functional environment the whole family can easily access.

Productivity & Environment: Ergonomic Smart Desks, Lighting, and Climate

• Ergonomic Smart Desks: Adjust desk height with a button or voice command, supporting accessibility and comfort for wheelchair users or those with mobility limitations.
• Smart Lighting: Adjust brightness and color temperature to support reading, working, or relaxing. Lighting scenes can be changed by app or voice—ideal for people with limited dexterity.
• Smart Blinds or Curtains: Program or control window coverings remotely or via voice, reducing the need for manual adjustments and improving accessibility.
• Smart Climate Control: Personalize environmental settings, such as temperature adjustments, through app or voice control, making it easier for those who may find traditional thermostats difficult to use.

Security & Access: Smart Locks, Cameras, and Sensors

• Indoor Security Cameras: Monitor loved ones, caregivers, or pets in real time. Video feeds can be viewed remotely by family members, adding peace of mind for those living independently.
• Smart Door Locks: Secure doors and enable or revoke access with a smartphone or voice command, reducing the challenge of managing physical keys.

Convenience & Integration: Hubs, Plugs, and Voice Control

• Smart Speakers/Hubs: Use voice commands to manage tasks, send reminders, make calls, control entertainment, or get news and weather updates. Particularly helpful for users with mobility or vision impairments.
• Smart Plugs: Automate lamps, electric heaters, or entertainment centers by scheduling or voice control, cutting down on repetitive manual actions.

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Extend smart home benefits to your outdoor spaces. Update your yard, patio and entryway with a special focus on safety, comfort and access for the elderly using voice controls and apps.

Security & Access: Smart Locks & Cameras

• Smart Locks: Enable keyless entry, auto-locking, and remote granting of access—all helpful for those with limited mobility or grip strength.
• Video Doorbells: Communicate with visitors from anywhere, including inside the house, avoiding unnecessary trips to the door.
• Outdoor Security Cameras: Offer peace of mind with real-time alerts and the ability to monitor property from a smartphone or tablet, reducing the need for physically checking doors and windows.

Ambiance & Accessibility: Smart Outdoor Lighting & Irrigation

• Smart Outdoor Lighting: Automate pathway and entry lighting for safe navigation at night. Motion-activated lights can illuminate walkways, steps and entrances to minimize falls.
• Smart Sprinkler Controllers: Automate lawn care, reducing manual labor and ensuring maintenance without the need for bending, lifting or remembering schedules.