How a smart home can make your house more like a fortress

Just imagine a home that knows when you’re coming, keeps an eye out when you’re not there and can ward off unwanted guests without you even lifting a finger. No, it’s not the plot of a sci-fi blockbuster from the 90s (yes, there’s an actual movie from Disney about that) – it’s the reality of a smart home. Honestly, right now is the perfect time to look into getting a Smart Home, and with the rapid advancements in home automation, what used to be the stuff of futuristic fantasies is now as common as a cup of tea.

In fact, making your house more like a fortress is easier than you may think. But how exactly can it make your home safe, like a fortress? Well, let’s go ahead and have a look!

The smart lock

Gone are the days when a sturdy front door lock was the pinnacle of home security. Technically, with so many locks currently being built so cheaply, it really doesn’t take much to pick a lock. In fact, there are lock-picking kits that you can buy online that can open most locks with a little bit of skill – and there are more than sufficient YouTube tutorials out there, too. But nowadays, there are smart locks that you can use.

Indeed, these offer you a multitude of ways to control access to your home. Whether it’s through your smartphone, a voice command or a simple touchpad, smart locks offer convenience without compromising on security.

Ideally, you should still look into locksmiths to help you out because they will install secure locks (not those cheap kinds you find at hardware stores), but they will combine that with a smart lock. Again, people can hack into smart locks (it’s hard to do, but it’s possible) people can pick locks, but rarely will you find someone who can do both… or will bother doing both (plus, it means that it takes longer to break into your house and most burglars want to try and get in and out quickly).

The power of smart cameras

CCTV cameras used to be something you’d only find in shopping centres or on dodgy street corners. But thanks to smart technology, having eyes on every corner of your property is now an affordable option. Smart cameras do more than just record – they detect, they recognise and they notify.

These cameras can distinguish between a passing car, a wandering cat and an actual human being loitering where they shouldn’t. Some even come equipped with facial recognition, so you’ll know if it’s a familiar face approaching or someone you’d rather not see.

You can monitor your home in real time from anywhere via your smartphone, and if something suspicious happens, you’ll get an instant notification. Some systems even let you communicate through the camera – imagine telling a delivery driver where to leave a parcel or warning an intruder that the police are on their way, all from the comfort of your office chair. Plus, usually, if people see cameras around your house, they’ll rarely bother with trying to break in.

Smart lighting

But why smart lighting, though? Well, you might already know this, but lighting plays a crucial role in home security. For the most part, having a well-lit exterior can be a major deterrent to anyone thinking about a bit of mischief. But flicking a switch isn’t enough – strategically timed and responsive lighting is where the magic happens.

Smart lighting systems allow you to control your lights remotely, set schedules and even have them turn on automatically when you or someone else approaches. Basically, it’s about having lights on outside (so cameras you install see who it is, but also having lights on inside so it looks like people are at home).

Smart sensors and detectors

While locks and cameras are your first line of defence (and they 100% need to be anyway), smart sensors and detectors work in the background to catch what those other systems might miss. Well, for the most part, it depends on what brand or system you use.

When parents try to baby-proof their home, they have sensors on cabinets, windows and doors to make sure their kid can’t leave the house – it’s a similar concept. However, there are some that are focused on deterring burglars rather than keeping an eye on kids.

With these, you place them around doors, windows and other entry points to detect when they’re opened or if they’re broken. For example, door and window sensors can alert you the moment someone tries to gain entry where they shouldn’t. Glass break sensors listen for the specific sound of glass shattering and will send you an alert if they detect something is amiss.

Smart security systems

Technically, these have always been smart home tech, and you could say that these were the first ones. Now, not too much has changed, you’ll still have about one minute to enter a code before authorities are made aware or the company that monitors the system gets notified (depending on the brand). But regardless, these still work.

Alarms have come a long way since the days of simple, loud noises that only served to scare off intruders and anger the neighbours. Modern smart alarm systems do so much more – they’re fully integrated with all the other smart devices in your home, creating a web of security that’s hard to beat. Some of the more advanced systems can even distinguish between different types of emergencies, like being able to tell the difference between a break-in, a fire or a flood, automatically triggering the appropriate response.

Smart home hubs

With all these smart devices in place, you’ll need something to bring them all together – this is where the smart home hub comes into its own. These hubs act as the brains of your smart fortress, allowing you to control everything from a single app or through voice commands. Now, not everything can be in sync together (as annoying as that even is) so you’ll have to keep that in mind too.

But most companies will try to make everything pair up together. But why is this so important though? Well, whether it’s locking the doors, turning on the lights, checking the cameras or arming the alarm system, a smart home hub enables you to do it all effortlessly.

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On our radar: Briiv Air Filter

We’ve had a couple of lovely sunny days over the Easter period. With all this recent sunshine, I’ve noticed the huge number of particles in the air when beams of light shine through the bedroom Velux window in the morning. Dust, dog fur, dander, wood-burner emissions, mould spores and goodness knows what else. I dread to think what we’re breathing in as we sleep!

I looked online into gadgets that clean the air and discovered the Briiv Air Filter; what a beauty. The company describes it as, “The most sustainable, recyclable air purifier on Earth”. The unit is fitted with two filters which last for a year; one is made of moss and the other coconut fibre. It looks like a mini terrarium – more of a houseplant than a household appliance!

Of course, like any 21^st century smart home device worth its salt, the Briiv Air Filter connects to your wi-fi and can be controlled using an app on your smartphone.

It currently retails at £329 which is a huge outlay, but they claim that it only costs £3.64 per year to run (based on the device being switched on for 6 hours per day).

Marrying tradition with today’s home innovations

Ah, the age-old conundrum – tradition vs. innovation. We’ve seen it play out in countless areas of life; from the music we listen to, to the clothes we wear, and yes, even in the way we design our homes. But what if we didn’t have to pick a side? What if we could harmoniously blend the beauty of tradition with the conveniences of modern innovations? The good news is, with a little ingenuity, we absolutely can.

Let’s journey through some ways in which we can weave the richness of tradition with the brilliance of today’s home innovations.

Embrace tech in vintage vessels

Do you know those classic vintage radios that ooze charm? Well, how about retrofitting one with modern-day speakers and Bluetooth capabilities? This way, while the radio retains its nostalgic exterior, it offers the audio quality and convenience of a 21st-century sound system. The same concept can be applied to other seemingly old-fashioned items. An antique desk? Fit it with built-in wireless charging ports for your devices.

Classic craftsmanship with modern materials

The appeal of hand-carved wooden furniture or handwoven fabrics is timeless. But, sometimes, these traditional materials might not hold up well against wear and tear. Enter modern materials. For example, counter-tops made from quartz that imitate the elegance of marble or wooden-looking tiles that combine the aesthetics of hardwood with the durability of ceramics. You get the visual beauty of tradition with the resilience of contemporary materials.

Modern doors with age-old designs

Doors may seem like an overlooked part of home decor, but they play a pivotal role in setting the mood. Opt for modern internal doors that bring the benefits of durability and energy efficiency. However, have them designed with patterns or stained-glass reminiscent of doors from decades (or even centuries) ago. It’s a functional update, but one that doesn’t forget its roots. Check out websites like doorways.co.uk for examples.

Smart kitchens with retro looks

Imagine owning a fridge that sends you alerts when you’re running low on milk. Now, imagine that same fridge with the exterior of a 1950s model – curved edges, chrome handles, pastel colours and all. Modern kitchen appliances have come a long way in terms of functionality, but the designs of yesteryear had their own charm. Fortunately, some brands offer appliances that combine both: smart technology housed in retro-inspired designs.

Modular furniture in classic styles

The flexibility of modular furniture can’t be understated. We’re talking about reconfigurable sofas, expandable tables and more. But just because something’s modular doesn’t mean it has to look ultra-modern. Consider designs that feature tufted upholstery or carved wooden elements. It’s a blend of the adaptability of today’s furniture with the design sensibilities of older eras.

Tradition and innovation needn’t be at odds, especially when it comes to designing our homes. It’s entirely possible to enjoy the comforts of today’s technology without letting go of the aesthetics and feels of the past. In a world where the old and the new are constantly intertwined, our homes can stand as a testament to the beauty of this marriage. So, as you design or redesign, remember: the past’s charm and today’s innovations can coexist, creating spaces that are as soulful as they are smart.

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Taking good care of your home tech

We’re living in a technological age where most of us have access to at least one device that we use on a regular basis. This is likely a smart phone, but many of us also have tablets, laptops, computers, gaming devices and more. Of course, these things don’t come cheap. Our tech tends to come with a high price tag in exchange for the great value that they bring to our lives. Therefore, it’s important that you take good care of your home tech at all times. This can maintain its value, boost its longevity and generally maintain it as best as possible. Here are some top tips that will help you to achieve this!

Take out insurance

The first thing you should do when you get your hands on any tech is to make sure that it’s insured. These are pricey items and can be costly to repair or replace should you lose or damage them, or if they were to be stolen. There are plenty of different plans out there that are specially designed for different items, ranging from smart phone insurance to general gadget insurance. Browse different options and find a policy that ticks all of your boxes. Make sure that it covers the full value of your phone and protects against any scenario you may foresee. You can then take time to compare policies and different providers to get the lowest price possible. If you’re set on a specific provider, you could even consider asking them to price match a lower cost competitor.

Update the software

If you’re unfamiliar with the term “software”, it’s good to know that software is a set of instructions, data or programs on any piece of tech that helps it to operate and for you to do what you need to do on it. For example, software on a phone could include call systems, text message systems, apps and more. Put simply, the software on your phone will tell it how to work to ensure that you get good use out of it. Of course, developers are consistently working on software to make it better in a number of ways. This could include adding more features, improving usability, making the software more accessible or simply increasing security to prevent cyber crime wherever possible. As you can imagine, it’s important to keep up with software updates that will help you to experience all of these things. All too many of us press “remind me later” or other options that postpone software updates when they’re suggested to us. This is because we’re usually using the tech in question when it comes to the time to update software. But it’s really important that you take the time to accept software updates and to allow them to install on your phone, so you don’t miss out on the perks. Take some time to accept all software updates and experience the benefits on all of your devices. You could also take time to clear old information and data, by learning how to clean my drive.

Clean the hardware

The hardware of your tech is any element of the device that you can touch. It’s the smart phone itself – the screen, buttons, charger and more. It’s your tablet itself. It’s your laptop itself. As you can imagine, these items grow dirty with repeated use. Even if you think your hands are clean, they tend to harbour grease, dirt, germs and bacteria. Phones, tablets and laptops left on work surfaces can accumulate dust. You may get crumbs on them if eating while using them. They might get splashed by drinks. The list goes on. It’s important to clean your hardware on a regular basis to ensure that you’re getting the most from it.

Cleaning your hardware will not only make your devices more presentable and nicer to use, but it can help to extend their life too. Dirt and grime can cause problems such as keys sticking or build up inside the device, which will be much harder to clean down the line. There are plenty of kits out there that are specially designed for use on tech devices, such as screen wipes and small vacuum cleaners that can pull crumbs, dust and debris from hard to reach spaces such as between keyboard keys.

Tech is an integral part of our lives nowadays, so make sure you take the time and effort to take care of yours as well as possible. This is simple, straightforward and will really pay off in the long run!