How to Make a Smart Home

Smart devices are everywhere. From controlling your appliances with your voice to answering your door from another state to coming home to the perfect temperature in the house, it's easy to see why smart homes are so appealing.  

But setting up a smart home can be daunting, especially if you're not sure where to start or what to include. How do you make one? What devices do you need? How do you set them up? What do you do?

How to make a smart home

These steps will walk you through everything you need to do to make the smart home you've always wanted. 

Step 1: Home security 

"Safety first" is a good motto to follow when making a smart home. With that in mind, you'll want to start with a security system.

A complete smart home security system should include features that work together to do the following:

• Help prevent break-ins. Devices like smart locks (in case you or a family member forgets to lock the door) and visible security cameras help deter burglaries and property crime.
• Scare off a burglary in process. If a break-in happens, burglary detection and a loud alarm will help to not only scare off a burglar, but alert authorities that a break-in has occurred. 
• Contact authorities for you. The best security systems are also professionally monitored 24/7, so you know your home is protected even if you’re not there.

Why home security?

You may be thinking, “I’m not sure if I need a security system. I live in a safe neighborhood!” or, “I have a dog. What more do I need?”

But when it comes to keeping your home and family safe, there's so much more to protect against than break-ins.

A smart home security system doesn’t just protect against the threat of burglars—it keeps you and your loved ones safe from environmental threats like fire and carbon monoxide.

Home security features

When adding security to your smart home, it should have features that include: 

• Burglary detection. Motion detectors that capture movement and glass break and door sensors that sound an alarm if glass is broken or a door is opened are crucial parts of any security system.
• Outdoor security cameras. You’ll also want to add security cameras on the outside of your home, including a video doorbell that captures anyone who comes to your front door. Look for cameras that have HD quality and automatic recording capabilities so you can review footage at a later time.
• Indoor security cameras. Security cameras can help you keep an eye on family members, too. An indoor security camera can act as a nanny cam or provide a way to check in on kids or pets who are home alone.
• Smart locks. Since most burglars actually enter homes through unlocked doors or windows, smart locks that lock automatically are a must when making a smart home. They also use codes instead of physical keys, eliminating the need for a hide-a-key that could get into the wrong hands.
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Fire and carbon-monoxide are deadly threats that every homeowner should protect their home and families from, so make sure to equip your smart home with technology that alerts you as quickly as possible.
• Garage door control. Have you ever gotten to work and wondered if you left your garage door open? Or worse, realized you have left it open but have no way to close it? If so, you’ll want your security system to include a garage door component that notifies you if your garage door is open, and then allows you to close it via an app.

Step 2: Home automation

Once you have your security system, the next step in making a smart home is adding home automation features. This is the fun part and what makes your home truly smart. 

Home automation simplifies life by automating tasks around the house like locking doors or adjusting your thermostat. It even lets you complete various tasks around the house with your voice. And keep in mind that you can customize your smart home by choosing from a variety of devices and technology.

Potential smart home devices

There are many different smart home products on the market. As you put your smart home together, you’ll want to choose devices that make the most sense for you and your family. Some smart home devices to consider include:

• Smart thermostats. A smart thermostat keeps your home at a comfortable temperature when you’re home and adjusts it when you’re away to help you save money. Best of all, it has the ability to do it all automatically based on your own preferences.
• Smart lighting. Another must-have tech feature for your home is smart lighting, like Philips Hue. When connected to Amazon Echo or Google Home, you can turn your smart light on and off with your voice. And when part of a Vivint system, you can also turn your lights on and off remotely via an app or create room groups, like “bedrooms” or “downstairs lights” that you can control all at once.
• Smart speakers. Voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant are all the rage, especially when you can use the voice control features to adjust your smart thermostat, turn lights on and off, or arm your security system, to name a few.
• Smart home app. Part of what makes smart home devices smart is the ability to control your devices remotely. Rather than use multiple apps for each device, look for a home automation system that integrates all devices together, so they can be controlled via one app.
• Central hub. Sometimes you don’t have your phone with you. You should still be able to control your smart home devices or view your cam footage through a central hub, like the Vivint Smart Hub. (Note: The Smart Hub also features panic buttons so you can get help in an emergency with just a single touch).

The most important thing to consider with your smart devices is integration. Which brings us to the next step: DIY or have a complete system professionally installed?

Step 3: Professional installation with the Smart Home Pros 

DIY can be a lot of fun. It can also be time-consuming and frustrating, especially when technology is involved. When you're putting together your smart home, there's nothing more annoying than finding out certain components don't work together or that you need to buy additional equipment to make it function properly. 

With a home automation system from Vivint, you don't have to worry about a thing. All Vivint systems include professional installation. In addition to the time-saving benefits this service provides, a professionally installed system from Vivint means: 

• All your devices work together. If you've ever tried to piecemeal smart devices, you know how valuable this is. All Vivint devices work together seamlessly, so your smart home functions as it should from day one.
• The latest smart home tech devices available. This includes some amazing devices you can only get via Vivint. (Check out the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro, which is the only security camera on the market that not only identifies lurkers on your property, but alerts them so they know they're on camera.) 
• The Vivint app. Vivint’s Smart Home app allows you to control all of your smart home devices from a single location so you don’t have to switch back and forth between apps. You’ll also receive alerts and notifications, which means you'll know right away if someone’s at your door or if an alarm goes off.
• 24/7 monitoring. We’ve already gone over the importance of round-the-clock monitoring for a security system. Vivint includes 24/7 monitoring, so you always have a team keeping an eye on your home whether you’re home or away.

If you're making a smart home, it worth it to do it the right way. It's an investment that will make your home a safer, smarter, more convenient place to live. 

But don't just take our word for it. Forbes has called Vivint “a one-stop-shop to building a smart home.”

Find out how Vivint can help you create the smart home you've always wanted. Contact our Smart Home Pros today at 800.646.1469 for a free quote.