HOME TREND: SMART HOME TECHNOLOGY

Technology is a large part of everyday life. You can do so much just with your phone; why not add some apps to control your home? We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite smart home gadgets to add to your list this Black Friday.

Smart Lights
Smart lights can do it all. Many have built-in timers, sensors, and remote controls. The Phillips Hue bulbs are some of our favorites – they can mimic the effect of the sun to help you wake up naturally in the morning, or adjust to set the ambiance in your home. The colored lights can be controlled through your phone, or can be set to react to the music playing through your home, perfect for entertaining.

Thermostat
Smart thermostats have been popular for several years because they offer more control and automation than traditional thermostats, which saves money on energy. These thermostats can tell when you’re home or away, can be adjusted remotely from your smart phone, and even send alerts reporting your energy usage.

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Smart Outlets
You can turn any electronic device into a smart device with smart outlets. There are several outlets that can be controlled through smartphones or through a smart assistant. Some need to be hardwired into the wall, but others plug into your normal outlet. Controlling your lamps via the outlet is easy, but you might also consider using it to turn on your coffee maker in the morning, or for your space heater so you never worry about leaving it on.

Assistants
Smart home assistants have exploded over the past several years. They can play music, answer questions, make calls, interact with other smart home devices, and even order groceries. Whether you’re loyal to Amazon, Google, Microsoft, or Apple, there’s an assistant for your home.

Untitled3.pngSmart Appliances
If you want your entire home to be connected, look into smart appliances. Most major appliance manufacturers make smart appliances like ovens, washers and dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, and more. With smart appliances you can control your oven and dishwasher remotely, and even brew coffee from your refrigerator.