The Lazy Guide to Smart Homes: Control Everything from the Couch (or the Pub)
Welcome to the world of smart homes—where everything from your lights to your coffee machine can be controlled with a tap on your phone, a voice command, or (if you’re feeling fancy) your favourite smart assistant.
But, before you get overwhelmed by jargon or think it’s all about robot servants, let’s break it down simply. A smart home is just a house full of connected devices that you can control remotely. Think lights, security cameras, speakers, thermostats… all the things that could be made easier with a bit of tech magic.
Tony’s Real-Life Setup: What I Use and Why
Let’s make this clear—I’m all about simplicity, ease of use, and making life easier without needing a degree in computer science. My home is full of smart devices, and I’m loving it.
The Lights
I’ve got Mirabella Genio lights all over the house. They’re cheap, they work with both Apple and Google/Android devices, and they’re available at places like Kmart. From RGB lights that make you feel like you’re in a disco to plain old white bulbs, they do it all. The best part? I can control them from anywhere—yes, anywhere.
The Sound System
My Sonos speakers are set up throughout the house, syncing up to whatever playlist I want to hear. And if you’re a fan of high-quality sound, you’ll love these. They connect easily to Google Home for voice control. Plus, you can make them dance in perfect harmony.
The Security
Ring doorbell? Check. Swann cameras? Absolutely. I can check what’s happening at home from my phone—even when I’m thousands of kilometers away. Never miss a delivery or find out too late that your garage door was left open all day.
The SwitchBots
This is where the magic happens. I’ve got two SwitchBot switches: one on my aircon and one on my garage door. This means I can control them with my phone or voice commands. Trust me, it’s a game-changer. And let’s not forget the SwitchBot Hub, which controls everything with infrared, like my TV.
All-Controlled by Google Home (or Siri, if that’s your thing)
Everything in my home is seamlessly connected through Google Home (or your preferred voice assistant). With a Google speaker in the master bedroom and the Google Hub in the main area, I can control everything right from my iPhone or with a simple voice command. It’s like magic—without the wand.
Remote Control Magic: Why It’s Actually Useful
Here’s the beauty of smart homes: it’s not just about flashing lights and talking to a speaker. It’s about convenience, peace of mind, and feeling a little bit like Tony Stark. For example:
I can quickly check my Swann security cameras to see if I’ve left the garage door open. If I have, no problem—I just use my SwitchBot to close it, no matter where I am.
When I’m on my way home, I can fire up the aircon remotely, ensuring the house is the perfect temperature by the time I walk through the door.
And, let’s be honest, the best command of all comes right before bed. I just ask Google to turn off all the lights (and anything else I might have left on, like the TV). It’s the ultimate goodnight command, and I can sleep easy knowing everything’s taken care of.
It’s the little things that make life easier, and when you can control them from your phone, couch, or even the pub, you start to wonder why you ever lived without it.
The #1 Mistake Everyone Makes (and How to Fix It)
Alright, let’s talk about the most common mistake people make when setting up their smart homes: trying to connect everything to the 5GHz Wi-Fi network.
You’ve heard it all before—5GHz is faster, right? Well, here’s the kicker: most smart devices won’t even see the 5GHz Wi-Fi network. And even if you do manage to get it connected, you’re asking for trouble. Why? Because 5GHz usually has a shorter range and limited device capacity. Many of your gadgets (especially older ones) will perform worse, or worse yet, not work at all.
Pro Tip: Always connect your smart home devices to a 2.4GHz network. This will give your devices more range and stability. Better yet, consider setting up a dedicated Wi-Fi network just for your smart devices. It keeps things secure and running smoothly.
Getting Started Without Breaking the Bank
Okay, now that we’ve covered some basics, let’s get you started without making your wallet cry. Here’s the deal: Unless your building a smart home from scratch, don’t buy everything at once. Start small—maybe one or two devices.
Why? Because you want to make sure the products work well with your phone or smart assistant and that you’re comfortable with the apps they require. And here’s a pro tip: Don’t just fall for name-brand hype. Some of the best tech doesn’t come with the fancy logo, so look for products that are compatible with your existing setup and meet your needs. Test a few brands, figure out what works for you, and then you can invest more as you go.
