Are There Any Useful Smart Home Appliances?

Self-monitoring homes that are attuned to their owners’ personal preference are now no longer only for the mega-rich.

When people think about smart homes, they might think about houses that speak to their residents before brewing perfect cappuccinos and preparing breakfast. While the smart house as personal chef still remains science fiction, new technologies create personalized environments.

New smart homes can be linked to the Internet which enables homeowners to monitor their home online. Some homes can send e-mails or text messages to homeowners, letting them know when doors are locked or unlocked, or when other residents open cabinets. Home automation means that when someone arrives home, the doors unlock, lights go on and the thermostat adjusts.

As the price of these technologies lowers, more middle-class homeowners have embraced smart technologies. In 2006, builders included structured wiring, which allows high-speed video transmission, in almost 50 percent of new homes.

Many people have smart appliances, if not smart homes. Motion-sensor lights, programmable thermostats and sound-control surround systems are all “smart” technologies.

Smart technologies can improve resale value and help protect homes. Those looking to boost their properties’ IQ should consider adapting to new technologies.

But there's more to it.

One smart product, Protec24, launched by a Canadian based company called Protection Plus has been revolutionary for those with an active and healthy lifestyle. In case you're wondering, it's a personal emergency response system that's particularly useful for the elderly folks.

Here's a video of how it works: Protec24

The best part is you get to wear it around your neck like an accessory and help is just a click away. An alert is sent to the monitoring centre. If anything were to happen to you while you're in your home, all you got to do is press the button.

While there are many examples of smart home appliances, this one serves the purpose rather well - to protect your loved ones. 

7 Simple Budget Bathroom Renovation Strategies You Need to Know

Guess what the latest real estate trend is. Buying a home and renovating. Sounds pretty simple, right?

While most people appear to pull this off rather easily, they tend to leave an important part of the project incomplete - bathroom renovation.

Bathroom renovation is an activity that's frequently put on the back burner due to lack of time or budget.

Most individuals prefer to hand over such tasks to authorized contractors or agencies and pay them in the end.

The project would be a great success, at a cost that exceeds your calculations and leaves you dumbfounded.

It will be a very conservative idea to create a realistic plan, visualise it and procure the raw materials by yourself if you have adequate knowledge on what to buy and how to use what you've bought.

What I have in store for you is a number of renovation strategies. But, keep this in mind: regardless of the strategy you're going to implement, make sure that you do not make these silly home renovation mistakes made by people.

Okay, let's get started.

#1 Visualize, plan, implement and close

This is always the right order of doing things. There's no better way. 

“Hiring a designer saves you time and money in the long run, so you don’t make expensive errors,” - Meredith Marlow, designer based in Florida

#2 Save plumbing for the last

This is one of those jobs that you possibly won't be able to do on your own.

Furthermore, it would be a wise move to not relocate utilities like bathtubs and sinks. It seems simple but, never forget the pipes. 

#3 Stop loving tiles so much

Always try to limit the use of tiles. You'll be surprised by how much you can save if you go for cheaper alternatives.

Think artistic - few rows of tiles along the wall and paint the rest. Use wood panels, wallpapers or just paint on the ceiling. 

#4 Upcycle furniture/accessories

Upcycling involves reuse of an existing product to create a higher quality product. It is by far one of the best budget saving home renovation strategies.

Create shelves out of old metal or wood lying around. Punch it up with some paint. Add thick frames to the mirror instead of getting a brand new one.

#5 If you don't have 'em, buy 'em

 “People will buy more material than they need and they often can't return it so they try to sell it online at a deep discount just to get rid of it,” - John Gerard, author of Renovate Your Kitchen the Smart Way.

Don't stop searching online. If you're lucky, you might find what you were looking for at a considerably lower cost.

#6 Increase visual space 

Switch to open shelves, add more lighting and upgrade bathroom accessories for increased storage resulting in the creation of what designers refer to as "negative space". 

The lighting also adds aesthetic appeal to an ordinary bathroom.

#7 Paint or repaint

Now, this is hard to do. Despite the bathroom possibly being the smallest room in your house, it requires a lot of time to get the repainting right.

It is the most effective and cheapest bathroom renovation strategy. But here's the catch: invest in low-quality paint and you'll have a hard time cleaning the mold that develops.

20 Handy Renovation Apps Available Right Now

Welcome to the digital world! 

There are online guides, e-books and manuals readily available to help you out with any task. The latest addition to the plethora of information includes apps (short for applications).

Apps are pieces of software which work either online or offline. The app store is evolving at a tremendous rate. While browsing the Play Store (Android) or the App Store (iOS), you might have noticed certain apps that fall under the category "House & Home". These are designed to help you out with DIY and home improvement projects. 

Before we get started, I want to let you know that this list is created based on personal preferences alone and the items are not ranked in any order.

To help you out, I've compiled a list of some handy apps that you can utilize for future projects.

Tap Painter ($2.99 on iOS)

Visualize vivid colours on interior spaces. A very smart app.

Houzz Interior Design Ideas (free on iOS, Android)

10 million+ high-resolution ideas, view your room in 3D and collaborate with or seek help from a huge community.

Chairish (free on iOS)

The eBay of home-decor, furniture, accessories and art. Has a "preview" feature so you know how it would look in your room.

Handy (free on iOS, Android)

If Travis Kalanick had designed an app for home renovation, it would have been this! 

Wikihow (free on iOS, Android)

Learn everything and almost everything from Wikihow with the help of carefully prepared in-depth guides.

Pinterest (free on iOS, Android)

Possibly, the largest (and best?) image sharing site. Follow home improvement boards for fresh and exciting ideas. 

iFixIt (free on Android)

An app designed to help you fix common appliances and household equipment. Has a library of all different types of models.

Hutch (free on iOS, Android)

Take a photo and try out decor styles in your space.

HomeAdvisor (free on iOS, Android)

Provides you information about contractors and booking. Must-have if you're feeling lazy and can't DIY.

Zillow Digs (free on iOS)

More interior design ideas and project estimates.

DIY Tip Genius (free on iOS, Android)

Helpful techniques and tips shared by a large community at your fingertips.

HandyMobi (free on iOS, Android)

Organize and share ideas with ease; contains virtual tools for home improvement.

The Woodshop Widget ($3.99 on iOS)

A perfect calculator designed to work with wood. Made for noobies and professionals alike.

iHandy Carpenter ($1.99 on iOS)

Turn your device into a handy set of tools. Handy, as the name suggests.

Handyman Calculator (free on Android, $1.99 on iOS)

A bunch of formulae intended for the DIY lover. Precise math.

Magic Plan (free on iOS, Android)

Create floor plans from photos.

Home Design 3D (free on iOS, Android)

Draw rooms and test out furniture using this 3D app.

Photo Measures ($6.99 on iOS, Android)

Take photos and plan your next home renovation project with ease.

Roomscan Pro ($4.99 on iOS)

Scans the whole room. In 3D. Perfect for recording and planning floor layouts.