The "Smart" Home

Ok, in my last post, I confessed that I am a bit of geek. In this post, I am going to confirm that impression as I want to talk about technology that can be used for your home.

First, let’s focus on smartphone apps that help you decorate and furnish your home. Technology has made it easier than ever to bring your home decor ideas to reality. There are countless smartphone apps that help you plan a space or do some valuable comparative shopping. Here are five apps to use on your next decorating project. Most are available should be available on both iOS and Android devices. As I have an Android phone I was able to confirm that all were available for Android except LikeThatDecor and DesignSponge

• Color Capture: Ever see a color that would make for a perfect paint scheme? Benjamin Moore’s Color Capture app allows you to take a photo of anything and instantly get a matching paint color.
• iHandyLevel: Hanging photos and artwork? Rather than searching through your toolbox for a level, you can use something that’s already in your pocket: Your phone. The iHandyLevel app functions just as well as a dedicated level, turning your phone into the ultimate picture-hanging companion.
• LikeThatDecor: Let’s say you see the perfect Chesterfield sofa in a coffee shop, and you want to see where you could get one of your own. Use the LikeThatDecor app to take a photo of furniture and instantly see similar items from dozens of retailers.
• IKEA Catalog: Forget about the nightmare of navigating the parking garage, showroom, and warehouse at your nearest IKEA. The IKEA Catalog app allows you to virtually place furniture in a room. If only there was an app for easy IKEA assembly!
•  DesignSponge: DesignSponge is one of the best DIY and home decor websites out there. Now there’s an app that makes it easy to access all of their awesome content on your smartphone.

Next, let's look at some smart home tools that will not only help you enjoy your home more but will also make the home more appealing when it’s time to sell.

• Nest Thermostat The Nest Thermostat is controlled with your smartphone, and it learns the schedule of the home's occupants. It adjusts the temperature according to your schedule, which saves on energy costs since heating and cooling will be reduced when appropriate. The Nest Thermostat has earned glowing reviews and almost universal praise, so it’s one of the surest bets for your home.
• Automatic Lighting Lighting is an overlooked part of home security—leaving the lights on in the evening can deter burglars, because the lights suggest someone is home. With automatic and smart lighting systems, you can program your lights to come on in the evening, or use your smartphone to turn on the lights before you arrive at home.
• Smart Alarms Gone are the days of controlling your security system from a panel inside the home. Now there are security systems that you can control from anywhere in the world using your phone. You can monitor your home from anywhere, without having to pay a monthly fee to a security company. Although it’s not marketed as an alarm, the Ring doorbell falls in this category because you can see who is at your door through your phone.