Finding Balance: Streamlining Daily Tasks with Smart Home Devices

Today, I want to dive into something that has been a game-changer for my daily routine: smart home devices. I’ve learned to appreciate the beauty of simplicity and the importance of efficiency.

While technology can sometimes feel overwhelming, smart home devices have helped me streamline tasks and free up more time for the things that truly matter. Here’s how I’m using these gadgets to enhance my daily life in a simple and intentional way. (My favorite smart device is at the very end)

Smart Plugs

Let’s start with the basics. Smart plugs are one of the easiest and most affordable ways to dip your toes into the world of smart home tech.

  • Morning Routine: I use smart plugs mainly for lamps/lights. My lights are all set on a routine and have a name so that I can use Alexa to turn it off by name or just rely simply on the routines. VERY handy for Christmas lights too.

  • Energy Saving: By scheduling devices to turn off when they’re not needed, I’m not only saving time but also reducing energy consumption.

Voice Assistants

Voice assistants like Amazon Echo and Google Home have become indispensable in our household.

  • Reminders and Alarms: We use our Echo to set reminders for packing lunches, family activities, and even cooking timers.

  • Shopping Lists: Adding items to our shopping list is as simple as saying it out loud. This has been especially helpful when my hands are full or when I’m in the middle of cooking.

Smart Thermostats

A smart thermostat is another device that can significantly improved your comfort and efficiency.

  • Energy Efficiency: By programming the thermostat to adjust the temperature based on your schedule you can save on our energy bills without sacrificing comfort.

  • Remote Control: Whether you’re away for the day or on vacation, being able to control the temperature from your phone ensures you always come back to a cozy home.

Robot Vacuums

Keeping the house clean is a constant task, but robot vacuums have made it a bit easier.

  • Automated Cleaning: Our robot vacuum is scheduled to clean while we’re out, ensuring we come home to a tidy house. It’s especially handy for dealing with the inevitable farm dirt that gets tracked inside.

  • Zone Cleaning: Being able to designate specific areas for cleaning means the vacuum focuses on the high-traffic zones, keeping the most-used spaces clean.

We have the older version of this vacuum

Multi-Room Audio with Amazon Alexa

One of my favorite ways to enhance our home environment is by setting up speaker groups with Amazon Alexa to play music throughout the house.

  • Whole-Home Music: By grouping multiple Alexa devices together, we can enjoy synchronized music in every room. Perfect for family gatherings or just adding a bit of background music while we go about our day.

  • Easy Setup: Creating speaker groups in the Alexa app is straightforward. Once set up, simply tell Alexa to play music on the group, and you’ll have your favorite tunes filling your home.

  • Voice Control: Control the music hands-free, adjust the volume, skip tracks, or even change the playlist using just your voice, making it incredibly convenient.

We have the older ones (and love them), here’s the updated ones that we have.

Skylight Calendar

Managing our family’s busy schedule is much easier with a smart calendar like the Skylight Calendar.

  • Family Coordination: The Skylight Calendar is a digital family calendar that displays our schedules in one place, helping us coordinate activities and appointments. My kids LOVE being able to pull up the calendar to see what’s going on. (And love it because I don’t get constantly asked 234 times a day.)

  • Easy Updates: I can update the calendar from my phone, and it syncs in real-time, so everyone is always on the same page.

  • Visual Reminders: The visual display is perfect for keeping track of important dates and reminders, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.

  • Photo Frame: It can also double as a photo frame, another feature that my kids love (additional monthly subscription required)

This is the one that we have.

Conclusion

Integrating smart home devices into our daily routine has been a fantastic way to streamline tasks, save time, and improve efficiency. These devices allow us to enjoy the benefits of modern technology while maintaining the simplicity and intentionality that we value. By using smart plugs, voice assistants, thermostats, lighting systems, security devices, robot vacuums, and the Skylight Calendar, we’ve created a more convenient and comfortable home environment.

How do you use smart home devices to simplify your life? I’d love to hear your tips and experiences. Let’s continue to embrace technology in a way that enhances our lives without overwhelming us.

Until next time

-Brooke

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