Awesome Tips The BEST Way to Plan Your Smart Home!
It’s time to set up my new smart home, but first I want to make a solid plan. I’ll show you my steps for planning a smart home and some important things to keep in mind, whether it’s your first automation or your 50th.
It’s time to set up my new smart home, but first I want to make a solid plan. I’ll show you my steps for planning a smart home and some important things to keep in mind, whether it’s your first automation or your 50th.
Links (affiliate):
Echo Dot 4th gen:
NFC Tags:
IKEA button:
Inovelli Red switch:
25 Home Automation Ideas vol 2:
25 Home Automation Ideas vol 1:
Reddit thread on picture/elements floor plan:
How to create a 3D smart home floor plan:
How to add picture elements to Home Assistant:
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0:00 Intro
0:26 Step 1 – Automations
2:07 Step 2 – Hub
3:28 Step 3 – Devices
5:07 Step 4 – Manual Controls
5:54 Step 5 – 3D Floorplan
6:34 Step 6 – Smart Home Quiz
DISCOVER MORE
Ultimate Guide to Starting and Growing a Smart Home:
Smart Home Hub Comparison:
Alexa Routine Ideas:
NFC Tags Automations:
MY SETUP & GEAR
See the list of everything I use in my smart home and other favorites:
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MUSIC
Doctor Momentum by Slynk
The End by EVA
Disclaimer: Smart Home Solver was sent some devices for previous unbiased reviews. As always, our opinions are 100% our own and not influenced.
Deals for Days. Big home savings are happening now.
Anyone have good ideas on documentation for your smart home? Like I mentioned, I’m using a Google spreadsheet now, but not sure if that’s the best way. 🤔
Great video! It helps me a lot to start planing my smart home. I would love to see a video about how to set up your network and if it is worth it to have two separate networks: one exclusively for smart devices and another one for regular use. Thanks!
Has your system for tracking and planning your automations changed in the last year?
Great video as usual. I have started to document my smart home using a spreadsheet..
valuable, high quality content and funny at the same time. great job. 👍🙏
He's NOT a hoarder.
Not sure that in-depth planning is the best approach. Yes there should be some planning, but if you get too stuck in a grand plan you never get around to actually doing it. So the plan should be to start with a couple things in your environment that would benefit from a smart home concept, and address them. That way you’re getting your feet wet. It’s at this point, where you’ve identified those things, that you assess your spending and tech limitations – and make choices that allow for and encourage further development. But don’t try to nail down every last sensor before you dive in.
Did you ever make a video about using amazon, smart things, and home assistant at the same time?
Does this actually save time. Seems like a lot of work
I love your shows fyi
Reed. Love vedeo and have learned a lot. What table and size are you using in this video?
I miss Athom Homey Pro in the list
Where did you get those porch lights?
I notice you have included Amazon Echo Dot. How does Amazon Echo 4 (with Zigbee) compare on this list? Specially with Local and Compatibility? Would really appreciate your insight into this.
Can you help me? I want turn on the led strip lights when step on the stairs. My light switch is only one side of the stairs.
You might be taking home automation a bit to seriously… 😛
Here is something you can link google assistant to alexa https://youtu.be/oP3LDKa-MNQ
Can you please re-post an updated spreadsheet? Thank you.
I love your skits in between the awesome information and how you incorporate your family. It's really the best part of your videos lol
Thanks, this video is clear
I really appreciate your content. I'm 65 and our new home is supposed to be done early Aug and I'm excited to begin my smart home journey. I am taking a simple approach. There will be door jam switches for the pantry closet and hallway closet, when the door is open, the light is on; I don't see anyone being in the closet when the doors are closed so that's hopefully a simple solution to those areas. Owners entry from the garage, which we will use 99% of the time is a motion activated switch that controls the ceiling fixtures. Same with the Master Bathroom water closet and master walk-in closet. If you're in those areas and moving, the lights will stay on and shut off after 5-15 minutes depending on the area. I'll probably do the same thing in the garage. I see door jam switches and motion switches as the easiest most intuitive way to automate. The water closet fan and light are on the same switch and the shower lights and fan are on the same switch; don't see ever wanting to have those lights on without the fan. Probably won't automate shower switch. I will be using Lutron Caseta switches for all kitchen under counter strips, island hanging fixtures and 6 cans. These will all be dimmers. The Family room and dining room are actually part of a great room. All the CAN lighting will be on Caseta Dimmers. The fans will be Caseta also. I have several Gen 4 Echo Dots and an Echo Show for the voice control. I have an echo flex to test and if sufficient to control things. My feeling is that the Lutron Caseta switches are basically just light switches my grandmother could learn to use without having to do any voice control stuff. Beyond that, I'm going to take it slow. If this isn't easy to use for my wife, it won't be adopted. She does use Alexa for some WEMO plugs in our rental home and seems to be happy with it until Alexa develops a hearing issue or the WEMO switches become unsynced with Alexa. That's frustrating because I can still control the switches with the WEMO app. Hopefully Lutron doesn't have that issue!!! I have ordered a Samsung Frame 65" for the living room, I am so glad you highlighted that in an earlier video, looks awesome. Maybe I'll make a video of what I'm doing and my trials and tribulations but you have why more patience for that. Underwater video is easy compared to what you're doing. I don't have to be in front of the camera and fish are simple to explain.
How to i get a virtual Switch
Is there a way of making a 3D floor plan for Google Home / SmartThings ?
I've also made a list with everything I have in OneNote/spreadsheets,
But looking for a better way to do.
Now it's one big chaos.
What are you using for smoke detectors. With one in every room it can get really expensive.
How would you plan a smart home for elderly parents? Obviously, it can't be too over the top.
I’m designing my loft based off your reviews and videos. Which lights and switch would you say go great with Google Home? I’m also debating on pot lights or strips lol
What’s the best place to buy a Smartthings hub? I can’t find them anywhere. Do other companies besides Samsung make the hub now?
A website like PC Part Picker for smart homes would be great. It could help reduce user errors and provide some peace of mind. A big thing I've learned is switches are an important component. Voice commands aren't perfect, can frustrate guests, and voice only lights can't turn off if the internet goes down.
Q: which motion sensor to you prefer?