6 Things to Consider Before Investing in Smart Home Security

Smart home security is an investment in your home, your family, and your safety. These devices equip you for surveillance at the touch of a button. Despite their recent advancements, as part of the larger smart home movement, there are factors that could dictate whether the technology is compatible with your home and security needs.

Here are six things to consider before investing in smart home security.

1. Compatible Mobile Devices

The entire point of smart products is to make them easy to use and connected to the mini-computer in your pocket. So if a device doesn’t work with your phone, that technology isn’t very useful.

Fortunately, most smart home security manufacturers are designing software that works with popular smartphone operating systems, such as iOS and Android. Take a look at the specs for the product you’re considering and find out which mobile devices are compatible with it.

Still, just because there’s an app available doesn’t mean it works well, and it’s hard to tell until after you buy the product. Combat this by reading reviews for how security tech works on your mobile device.

2. How Many Devices You’ll Need

To choose how many devices are necessary to secure your house, you’ll need to look at it from all possible angles. Any unlocked window or door could be a vulnerable spot where a burglar could get inside your home. Home surveillance isn’t just for preventing burglaries, either. It can be used to mitigate other risks as well. Use your cameras to monitor your children and pets, keep an eye on house sitters, or even detect internal threats like house fires or flooding.

The size of your house, the number of windows and entrances, and the purposes of your surveillance can help determine how many devices you’ll need and where to place them.

3. Adequate Internet Connection and Speed

The superpower of smart home devices is their ability to be remote-controlled by a mobile device. Their kryptonite, on the other hand, is their reliance on your home’s internet connection.

Rural homeowners may find it difficult to keep smart security cameras working properly if their locale isn’t serviced with an adequate internet service. Meanwhile, power outages that knock out your Wi-Fi connection can impact everyone’s smart devices.

Run an Internet speed test and compare the results to what your desired smart home device requires. Be sure to also investigate if there are any backup measures in case of internet or power outages.

4. Self-monitoring vs. Professional Monitoring

The convenience of self-monitoring is a major perk for smart home security devices. Through mobile apps, you can receive alerts when motion is detected or notifications if you’ve left your house unlocked. You’re the master of monitoring with home security, which can either be a positive or a negative, depending on how independent and involved you want to be.

Professional monitoring companies, such as ADT and Vivint, are starting to offer smart home security as well. So if you’re looking for some guidance or technological support, there are options. Just be aware that this can come with added expenses and less flexibility, as companies tend to work with their preferred devices and installation protocols.

5. Features

Consider what you want your smart home camera to be able to do. Your surveillance goals may determine which features are non-negotiable and which ones are superfluous. Some key features to look out for include:

• Night vision

• Weatherproof

• Recording capabilities

• Facial recognition

• Two-way communication

• HD video

Understanding your purpose for surveillance can help you purchase the tech that closely aligns with your goals and meets your needs.

6. Personal and Public Privacy

When it comes to smart home security, privacy is an important part of the conversation. There are laws pertaining to security cameras that are important to know so your surveillance measures remain compliant. Ironically, you’ll also need to take security measures that protect your security system, too. Losing your mobile device, for instance, would eliminate the efficacy of your system.

Smart devices can also impact your personal privacy when manufacturers use your personal information for ad marketing and retargeting. Additionally, hackers are the greatest threat to smart home security devices, since they can use them as a bridge to the network where you access your email and bank accounts. Implementing cyber security best practices, such as using multi-factor authentication and secure passwords, can keep you guarded against information theft.

Prioritize Your Peace of Mind

Research is your friend when it comes to smart home security, and we hope these considerations get you started. With the right device, you can implement a system that works for your needs. Don’t settle for less. Prioritize your peace of mind and keep your home, your family, and your lifestyle safe.

How to Organize Your Home for a New Baby

Are you about to welcome a new baby to this world? Congratulations! You are in for an adventure of a lifetime! However, before the baby arrives, there is so much to do, which can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. We want your pregnancy to be the most serene and joyful period of your life, so we've prepared tips to organize your home for a new baby and make things much easier for you. On the other hand, if any soon-to-be-dad is reading this, use our advice to surprise your partner and prepare your home for the arrival of your little miracle.

First - clean and declutter

Before you start adding and rearranging things around your home, don't skip on two crucial preparation steps - cleaning and decluttering. That will make the process of organizing your home for your baby much simpler and easier.

When it comes to cleaning, you already know how important it is, especially when you're welcoming a newborn. Therefore, find ways to clean your home effectively and make sure that every corner is spotless. Alternatively, you can always hire professional cleaners to do deep cleaning and fully disinfect your home.

Decluttering is another crucial step that many people leave for the very last minute. However, it's important to be on top of things and start as early as possible. With your newborn coming, you'll need more storage space, and therefore, you should get rid of your excess things. To get your in-house storage space in order, make sure to make a plan and figure out how much extra storage you'll need for your baby. Afterward, sort your things and make sure to be firm and only keep things you genuinely need. Decluttering is also a great way to earn some extra money you can invest in buying baby things. For example, you can sell things that are in good condition, but you no longer want to use.

Organize your home for a new baby room by room

Now that you've cleaned your home and created extra storage space for many baby things you'll need, we'll show you ways to organize your home room by room.

Nursery preparation

The most important room for your baby will naturally be the nursery. You want to create a safe, comfortable, serene, and functional nursery where your baby will be spending most of your time. Here are simple nursery organization hacks:

• Create a breastfeeding nook - Every two hours or so, you'll be breastfeeding or bottle-feeding your baby. Therefore, make sure to create a comfortable space where both your and your baby can enjoy and feel serene.

•  Make a diapering station - As you'll be spending a lot of your time changing diapers, make sure you're prepared and set up a changing station. Choose a changing table you like the most and make sure to stock up on essentials such as diapers, wipes, rash cream, ointment, and similar.

• Organize the nursery closet - Standard storage options are not a very good solution when it comes to keeping your baby's things. Therefore, you'll need to get creative and use organizers, baskets, shelves, and rods. If you add labels and dividers, you'll make everything a whole lot easier to manage.

• Get baby essentials - It goes without saying that you need to invest in a good crib and more importantly, a high-quality crib mattress and sheets.

Organizing your primary bedroom

As you're probably aware, in the first several months, your baby will spend sleeping in your bedroom. Therefore, make sure to organize it in a way that makes it easier for you and your baby.

The first thing to do is set up a bassinet close to your bed. That way, whenever your baby wakes up, you'll be able to react quickly and provide comfort. Also, make sure to add a humidifier and a white noise sound machine (it's a lifesaver!). Don't forget to add night light as you don't want to hurt yourself by bumping into things in the dark.

As you don't want to be taking your baby from one room to another just to change the diaper, make sure to have a diapering kit in your master bedroom. You don't need the whole changing station but simply a changing mat, diapers, wipes, and ointment. Also, always make sure to have spare clothes.

Rearrange your living room

Your living room will now be turned into a family room where you will spend time together and welcome guests. Depending on your home size, it could be very convenient to set up a small changing station and have everything on hand whenever you need it.

An even better idea is to invest in a pack n play. They are a great option as you can use them to put your baby to nap and as a changing place at the same time. For example, you can wash dishes or finish other chores while your baby naps in the living room.

Make sure to designate and organize a kid's play area. For example, you can put a baby gym there or a baby swing. As your baby gets older, you can change the setting and add different toys but always make sure that the area is safe and childproof.

Preparing your kitchen and bathroom

Depending on if you are going to bottle feed or breastfeed, you might create more storage space in your kitchen. If you're opting for the first, make sure to prepare all essentials such as bottles, cleaning brushes, breast pump or formula, and bottle warmer.

Also, as you won't have much time to cook, a good idea is to plan ahead and either cook meals and freeze them or buy them at your grocery store. You'll be surprised how much they'll make your life easier, and you'll be so happy you had everything prepared.

When it comes to your bathroom, you need to be sure that both mom and baby have all the necessary supplies. All moms go through a six-week postpartum period and need specific supplies. Make sure to get them all and have them waiting for you when you return from the hospital.

As for your baby, make sure to get all the necessary bath supplies. You'll need a tub, of course, baby shampoo, lotion, hooded towels, washcloths, and similar.

Welcome home, baby!

The time before your baby arrives will fly by, and you'll soon be holding your little bundle of joy. Therefore, now that you know ways to organize your home for a new baby, you can start creating a safe and serene place for them. Good luck, and we wish you many happy and loving moments with your newest and most important family member!

Meta description: In order to make everything perfect for the arrival of your little miracle, we've prepared simple ways to organize your home for a new baby.

Upgrades to Smarten Your Bathroom

It’s no secret that a successful bathroom renovation can enhance your home. 

Whether you are updating your primary residence or a rental investment property, consult a professional and they will likely tell you that there are few things that boost a property’s value more than a top-notch bathroom.

In today’s tech world, our homes are getting smarter and the bathroom is no exception.

Today we’ll be covering just a few of the best smart options for your bathroom, but first, lets do a little dive into the origins of smart home technology.

The Start of Smart

Did you know that the evolution of smart home technology began in the 1960s?

The Honeywell Kitchen Computer made its debut in the 1969 Nieman Marcus Christmas catalog. 

The ad read, “If she can only cook as well as Honeywell can compute.” 

It went on to say, “Her souffles are supreme; her meal planning a challenge?”

For the low price of $10,000 husbands could make their wives Christmas dreams come true with 100 pounds of pure meal planning power. Just the push of a few buttons and PRESTO! Your five-course, gourmet meal would be computed in a snap!

*Two-week programming course included. Teletype and paper reader sold separately.

You may be surprised to learn that despite the convenience, affordability, and charming advertising only a handful of units were sold. 

While it didn’t work in any practical sense, it generated new thoughts about computers being consumer products. 

Fast forward to 2021 and aside from flying cars, the list of Jetsons prophecies that have been fulfilled continues to grow. (Eighties kids get it.)

Robots, home offices, online classes, telemedicine, and video calls are commonplace. There’s smart energy, smart security, smart lighting, smart kitchens; you get the picture.

It should come as no surprise that our bathrooms should advance as well.

If you are building a new home or renovating your property, incorporating technology in your bathroom is just a smart idea.

The market is flooded with waterproof speakers, smart lighting, smart scales, and a slew of other gadgets promising to bring your bathroom into the future. 

Today, we are going to focus on just a few elements that you can install to smarted up your bathroom.

Smart Showers

Smart showers allow you to create personalized settings with customized water temperature, flow, and set a maximum run time, all controlled from the convenience of your smartphone or by simple voice commands if you have Amazon’s Alexa. 

The ability to run a safe bath from the dinner table using their phones may feel like a superpower to some parents.

Pre-set temperatures reduce the risk of accidental burns, while pre-set run times reduce the risk of overflow. 

Water damage can have devastating effects in terms of out-of-pocket repair costs for any homeowner. If you have never had the pleasure of a bathtub overflow, prevention is vital. Nobody thinks it will happen to them. 

If you’re a landlord, water damage can negatively impact your rental income as well as expenses. If you are looking for bathroom upgrades to boost rental value, this one should be on your list.

The Bottom Line

A lot of smart home technology caters to convenience or entertainment. 

Convenience is great, and who doesn’t love an epic shower jam session? 

But the personal safety and property protection smart showers provide for homeowners and renters alike is what makes this a gadget worth having. 

With prices starting at just under $250, smart showers are a great choice for any bathroom!

Smart Toilets

Smart toilets were once a thing of science fiction, but as smart home technology has progressed, it has changed the toilet game forever.

The newest generation of toilets can eliminate the need for toilet paper, water and even the use of your hands.

A smart toilet can sense when a person is approaching and lifts the lid automatically.

The available technology includes an instant heat system that not only warms the seat to the perfect temperature, it warms the bidet water as well.

A heated air dryer aims to reduce or eliminate toilet paper use while also being more sanitary. 

Users can adjust the pressure and position, as well as the water temperature of the bidet with a wireless remote control.

Perhaps the best part, the toilet flushes itself and the seat and lid are put down for you. This technology could save marriages.

Newer technology has even produced self-cleaning options with antimicrobial seats and a disease-detecting toilet that will pick up on multiple signs of illness through automated sample analysis. 

The Bottom Line

Smart toilets are impressive luxury design elements that are functional, comfortable and are sure to add value to your bathroom. That value doesn’t come without a price tag though. If you want to trade your old toilet for a smart experience, these tech toilets start at $1,200 to upwards of $500,000.

Smart Faucets

With the focus on going green and preserving water, one tech that is gaining popularity in the home is the smart faucet.

Digital faucets with sensor taps offer touchless technology. An infrared tap can “read” when hands are under the faucet and turns on and off automatically accordingly.

Smart faucets are designed with water conservation in mind. If you have ever been stuck in a public bathroom waving your hands under a stubborn faucet that won’t recognize your soapy, waving hands you may wonder why anyone would want to bring this technology into their own home. 

The sensor taps that you would install in your property offer programmable sensitivity and other features for different scenarios, such as a teeth-brushing option that runs for an allotted time frame.

More advanced models include smart meters that can monitor your water consumption and detect abnormal use. Not all water leaks are visible. This technology can be invaluable for detecting a water leak before it becomes catastrophic.

The Bottom Line

Smart faucets can help conserve water and reduce germ transmission. At prices starting at just under $100, a smart faucet is another smart home technology that is relatively affordable for most homes. 

Final Thoughts

The smart home options are endless and new technology is available every day. 

A whopping 81% of consumers say they are more likely to purchase or rent a home that has smart technology. If you are making plans to complete a bathroom remodel, including smart options is a wise choice.

Easy DIY Floral Home Decor Ideas

Nothing works better to liven up a space than flowers and elements derived from nature do, and sometimes they’re exactly what the room needs to look it’s best. There are flowers for every occasion - whether you’re welcoming a friend to your new home or having a dinner party with your relatives.

When you shop for flowers yourself, it’s easy to picture how they’ll look next to your decor and to decide whether you want to buy them or not. But when you’re buying flowers online, it’s harder to do that. In that case, it’s best to know in advance exactly what flowers you want and what to do with them. 

If you want some decor inspiration, you’re in the right place. Keep reading for some great flower decor ideas! 

Light Pink Against White and Black 

Your interior decor might be sleek and minimalist, but sometimes all you need is an extra splash of color that’s nowhere to be seen. Look at this photo for instance. Without the flowers, it looks pretty drab and dull, all you can see for miles is the black and white with some hints of brown. 

The light pink flowers aren’t too bright and bold. They don’t disrupt the room’s peace or make it look too loud, which is how the room retains the subtlety and calmness that the designer was originally going for - but now the flowers provide some much needed cheer as well! 

Green Against White 

White walls with wooden furniture are really popular for most people now, mainly because of the versatility this background has to offer - it’s a blank canvas waiting to be filled with decor and cushions that determine what the theme would be. Some colorful lamps and bright posters turn it into a colorful extravaganza, but put potted plants and leafy greens all over and it reminds you of the woodlands.

Work areas are meant to be calm anyway, which is why we think there’s nothing wrong with surrounding it with some green plants. Not only will it provide a calming era, but it’ll also help keep the room fresh and the air crisp! 

A Little Hint of Red 

Enough with subtle options and flowers that complement the rest of the decor in your home. Putting some bright red flowers in front of a grey couch is a bit like putting on a simple white dress and putting a huge, chunky statement necklace with it. It’s one hell of a look, and we’re not sure if people will be getting tired of it any time soon. 

Bedside Flowers

Flowers on your bedside never get old, and are the perfect option if you don’t have room on the desk or the windowsill. From colorful roses in a simple vase to yellow sunflowers with a white bedsheet on your bed, there’s no end to the combinations and possibilities.

You can even be creative about the vase itself, using things like coffee mugs and spare cans to create a vintage feel and effect. As long as the end result is visually appealing, you’re doing it right! 

Recycle Old Containers and Bottles 

Talking about old bottles and cans, there’s no end to the creative things you can do with your flower arrangements. If you have your old perfume bottles saved and lying around somewhere, put them to good use holding beautiful but minimalist flower arrangements. 

While glass perfume bottles would look great with minimalist designs, opt for brighter and bolder flowers when it comes to tinted bottles, or anything with text and labels. You can even use mason jars to keep flowers in, which is much cheaper than buying decorative vases. 

Outdoor Arrangements 

If you’re making flower arrangements to be placed on the table on the balcony or in the patio, no need to hold back. Use flowers picked from your own garden or ones you bought from the store - here, you can get away with arrangements that are spilling out of their vases and jars, leafy bursts of flowers and bright blooms that stand out. 

Whether you want the flowers to stand out against the background or blend in with the background, there’s an option for everyone. It would be a great idea to add some leaves and twigs to your flower arrangements to make them look even better!