Now that we’re into the new year, there’s no better time to start thinking about modernising your home. This could mean anything from rejuvenating old furniture, to purchasing new pieces of smart technology to make your home life more efficient.
Want to modernise your home and integrate technology throughout your home in 2021 in order to get it a bit more in-keeping with the times? To help get you started and provide some inspiration, here are a few ideas of things that you might want to look into further and consider for your home.
Smart lighting
The first smart home upgrade that you could look to make is one that’s almost as easy as screwing in a lightbulb. Smart home lighting products such as the Phillips Hue series can not only be automated to turn on and off at specific points in the day, to save money or even as a wake up alarm, but they can also be changed into a wide range of different colours, which is perfect if you live in a small space but want to change up the mood in a pinch.
If looking at current trends in modern apartments throughout cityscapes around the globe, smart lighting and technology-integrated builds are becoming increasingly common. Not only is it highly in-demand from young, professional tenants looking to live and work in a city, but it also allows for a development to be more financially viable and eco-friendly.
For example, RWinvest, an award-winning property investment company with offices throughout the UK, already have smart technology-driven features and facilities in many of their apartments throughout cities like Liverpool and Manchester, and have recently launched a new eco-driven development which will aim to drive down energy costs and wastage.
Tip – Struggling to get the natural light that you should be due to the ongoing pandemic? While you should certainly try to make sure that you get some much-needed fresh air and sunlight by going out for breaks and walks where possible, some smart lighting products can also help. Bulbs and lamps that simulate natural light rather than the dull, office yellow can be beneficial to your health and also assist in reducing eye-strain.
Smart heating
Smart heating isn’t perhaps the flashiest ‘smart’ home upgrade out there, but it can be extremely helpful in saving you money and keeping your home lifestyle efficient. With products such as the HIVE thermostat, for example, you can set temperatures in the home easily through a dial, or even directly through your smartphone. Smartphone app integration also means that you can activate your heating remotely, perfect for if you’re away on a cold night and want the home to be nice and warm when you get in.
Tip – if you want to save money in the new year and are looking for ways to cut down on monthly bills, looking into your energy generally is also a good step, as prices can fluctuate consistently and so there is usually money to be saved. Having a smart meter installed (if you haven’t already) is also a great, technology-driven way to keep a closer eye on spending.
Voice activation
To finish, a lot of people already have smart speakers such as the Amazon Echo or Google Home line of products, but they’re a great way of linking up the different smart home appliances throughout your home in a sort-of network, and making them easier to use at the same time.
