Your home is your home; you need to concentrate on making it a place you truly love coming back to after a long tiring day and which inspires you to go out with a fresh mind every day. So, if you are looking to elevate your living and want to make some improvements to your space, we have some cool ideas that will turn your regular home into a smart one. And this doesn’t always have to be that expensive; the ideas we will be presenting will elevate the look and feel of your home while staying pocket-friendly. So keep reading to learn how to turn your home into a smart home on a budget.

Get Stable Internet Service

The first thing you need is a stable internet service to benefit from different smart devices. Besides, your work, entertainment, and communication depend on the internet connection, so it needs to be reliable. Evaluate your internet usage, the number of people using it, and your budget before subscribing to a service.

Whatever your needs might be, remember to sign up with a reliable service provider like Spectrum. Spectrum Internet offers superfast speeds and reliability, and you can choose from different plans according to your needs and budget. Plus, you can also pair your internet connection with Spectrum’s Cable TV and mobile plans and get all your needs catered by a single reliable provider.

Replace Your Old Bulbs with Smart Ones

Your regular light bulbs might be cheaper than the smart ones, but they are less fun and practical. And besides, the energy-saving options offered by smart bulbs make them outshine the traditional ones. These bulbs use LED or CFL bulbs instead of incandescent ones, which reduce the amount of energy needed to light up your space. In fact, ENERGY STAR, a certified smart bulb, claims to use up to 90% less energy than standard bulbs saving many bucks on your electricity bills. So, invest in some smart lights and brighten up your house while preserving energy. 

If you are looking for some cheaper options, here are our best picks of smart bulbs for less than $20:

• Philips Wiz Connected LED
• Wyze Bulb White
• Philips Dimmable A19 Smart Wi-Fi
• Cree Connected Max 60-watt LED
• Treatlife Smart Wi-Fi Color LED Bulb
• EcoSmart LED Smart Bulb
• Lifx Mini White

Elevate Your Home Security with Smart Cameras

Home security is a big concern, so investing in some security devices is always a good idea. You might be thinking of the high price you might have to pay for the professionally installed systems. Well, the good news is that there are some third-party security systems that you can install on your own and customize according to your needs. Plus, all of these security controllers are compatible with your smart home assistants including Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit devices. You can not only secure your home when you are inside but also track everything from your smartphone when you are away. These cameras also have the option to record the footage to view it later in case of any incident. Here are some examples of third-party security controllers:

• Eufy SoloCam S40 security camera
• Google Nest Cam with floodlight
• Vivint Ping indoor security camera
• Wyze Cam Pan v2 security camera

So, protect your home by investing in these smart cameras, and live a stress-free life.

Use Smart Plugs to Power Non-Smart Devices

Smart devices are fun and convenient, but not all of your home devices and appliances are smart, and you might not even want to replace some of them with new ones. There is a piece of good news for you though; you can turn any of your pluggable devices into a smart device and control it with your mobile apps, possibly with your voice using a smart plug. These plugs will give you control over the energy used by your devices and make them smarter. Want to purchase a smart plug? Here are some of our best picks for you to choose from:

• Leviton D215P-2RW
• TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini
• Wyze Plug
• TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip
• Amazon Smart Plug

Control Your House Temperature With a Smart Thermostat

Thermostats allow temperature management and control and keep our houses warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Conventional thermostats are usually mounted on the wall and are controlled with the help of a control panel on them. Smart thermostats, however, can do much more.  Even when you are not at home, a smart thermostat allows you to regulate and monitor the temperature of your house.

Additionally, these thermostats will allow you to fully control your home temperature based on the time of the day or the weather outside. You can also keep track of your energy usage with these thermostats and keep your electricity bills under control.

Wrapping Up

Your home is your comfort space; it is where you want to feel convenient, safe, and relaxed. So, if you are looking to elevate the feel of your place but are on a tighter budget, the above-mentioned devices are going to be a perfect purchase for you. These devices are sure to turn your average home into a smart home.

partnered post • cc-licensed image by Mike MacKenzie at www.vpnsrus.com