In an era where anybody can buy an Alexa and a couple of smart lightbulbs, the idea of what a smart home actually is appears to be one of confusion.

It used to mean a fully integrated home, but with the advent of stand-alone devices, people tend to conflate having a couple of smart devices with having a truly smart home.

This confusion will continue, especially now that it's predicted smart device adoption will grow due to the Coronavirus.

Ever since smart homes came onto the market, one thing has held the technology back from becoming mainstream: 

The lack of a standard.

In the current state of the market, devices are not all compatible. Different manufacturers develop devices for different standards. Apple, Google, Amazon, and Zigbee devices don't always play nicely together, which makes setting up a smart home frustrating for most homeowners.

The holidays can be a joyful time spent with family and dear friends, but are also fraught with headaches and concerns. Did you pack enough diversions to keep the kids happy in the car or on the flight? Will your travel be delayed by weather? How will your special Thanksgiving dish hold up during the trip? Will your irascible uncle hold a symposium on his current pet peeve during dinner, making that new in-law cringe?

With your smart home holding down the home front, you have one less thing to worry about. Here are just a few ideas to help you configure your smart home so it will keep making your life easier even while you are away.

Ah. Relaxing in your pool or spa at the end of the day, feeling the refreshing water wash your worldly cares away while you sip a glass of sparkling wine and enjoy the evening light.

Well, anyway, that's the dream you had when you installed your pool.

The home of the future is finally here:

A smart home that knows your climate and lighting preferences. A smart home is always in the Goldilocks zone so you and your family are always comfortable. 

There are a lot of choices on the market when it comes to turning your home into a smart home.

And if you're just getting started -- or on a tight budget -- DIY seems like the way to go.

A beautiful, automated, awe-inspiring smart home is something a lot of New Yorkers dream about.

Imagine coming home to your sanctuary in the city.

A home where the climate is always perfect: you're never too hot, or too cold.

The lighting for your entire apartment can be controlled with a couple taps on your phone, or even a vocal command.

While this sounds like a pipe dream for a lot of people, this can be a reality. It's never been easier to get your smart home setup by a trusted smart home installer. 

Home automation is on the rise, with more and more consumers slated to create smart homes over the next four years. In fact, by 2022, more than half of the homes in the United States will have implemented some form of automation. If you’re planning your smart home, we’ve got a short list of things to consider.

If you are trying to choose a smart home system, then you’ve undoubtedly been researching automation systems from companies such as ADT, MONI, and Vivint.

If you’ve reached this article, then you’re likely looking for something a little more unique and perhaps luxurious. Savant is a highly rated smart home system, and in this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know before installing a Savant system in your home.

As a designer or architect, you look at many details to ensure a home meets the homebuyer’s desires.  Room sizes, floor plans, electrical plans, and a myriad of other things are key to delivering the overall environment the client desires.

Smart home technology requires design considerations too, and they can affect construction as well as finish out planning.  Incorporating an integration professional early in the design process can ensure that smart Home technology blends in seamlessly, and is not something that feels tacked on or an afterthought.

Let’s look at some areas to consider when designing your smart home design.