Quick Home Improvements to Make Life Easier

Ever dream of having a robot to clean your home or being able to control things in your home with a simple verbal command? Well I’m happy to report that technology is making life easier, and things like this are possible and in many cases even affordable!

Here are six quick improvement projects that have made a significant impact in my family’s everyday routine:

1. Motion Sensor Light Switches – These switches can be super helpful when your hands are full or dirty, and as a mom, that’s 99.9% of the time!  When we started potty training our toddler, we added a motion sensor light switch in our main downstairs bathroom, so there was less likelihood of germy hands touching a very public surface.
2. Keyless Entry Locks – We installed a keyless entry door knob the day after our kiddo locked me in the garage at 6am. No joke. When our toddler was almost two, he had just learned to lock doors, but didn’t yet have the dexterity to unlock. I stepped out into the garage to put a diaper in the trash and click- he had locked me out. I ended up having to climb the fence into our backyard and throw a soccer ball at the master bedroom window to wake my husband, who somehow was sleeping through the major tear-fest our son was having because mommy was outside. Needless to say this is probably one of the best investments we’ve made to our home.
3. Home Assistants or Automation Devices – Google Home, Amazon Dot, Xbox Kinect… any of these home automation devices are incredibly helpful, especially if you have your hands full with kiddos. As a nursing and pumping mom when I say, “Hey Google, Living Room lights to 5%” or “Xbox go to Netflix” or “Alexa, play nursery rhymes” and things magically happen without me getting up or trying to find a free hand, I am in a very happy place!
4. Smart Lightbulbs – I will be the first to admit I was skeptical and against spending around $15 a light bulb, but now with a toddler and a newborn I wouldn’t want to live without these lights. These lights (we use the Philip Hue bulbs) are app controlled; you can set up groups of lights (such as all your entry lights) or control them individually. And depending on brand, if you have a Google Home or Amazon Dot or use Siri on your iPhone, you can control them by voice!
5. Smart Thermostat – Like the smart lights, these thermostats are app controlled and can be voice controlled using certain home automation devices and assistants. Since we installed the thermostat, our energy bill has gone down and we have greatly enjoyed being able to adjust the temperature of our home while we are out and about. We have the thermostat set to have the house cool by the time we arrive home from work but if someone gets off early or we end up meeting up with friends for happy hour, we can use the app to change the time of when the house temperature should be adjusted. Also, bonus if APS or SRP is your energy provider because both offer a $75 rebate for registering your qualifying Smart Thermostat!
6.  Robotic Vacuum – I mentioned robots cleaning the house, right? Well a robot vacuum like a Roomba is the answer! These vacuums are fully automated, programmable, and can even come wifi connected. Wouldn’t you like to wake up to clean floors and in exchange  only have to empty the vacuum’s dust pan so it can happen again the next night… or even after lunch?!