Remember the life of ease homeowners of the future George and Judy Jetson enjoyed? Or the Black and Decker Hydrator in BACK TO THE FUTURE II that transforms a tiny pellet into a full-size pizza in seconds? Ahhh, the promise of a fully-automated home we’ve all dreamed of, right?

 

The realities of most “smart home” automation have been both exciting and a little patchy. That is, while the promise of voice-controlled everything, appliances that talk to each other, and homes with a HAL-like self-awareness seem great, the juice (programming, updating, setting, and resetting) often wasn’t worth the squeeze. So, how can you get more from your smart home? How can you improve your life with the least effort possible?

 

Step 1: Figure out your pain points.

Is your power bill sky high because everyone leaves the lights on at night? Are you spending too much on Starbucks because your morning routine is so crazy you don’t have time to make coffee at home? Identify your needs first.

 

Step 2: Evaluate automation features.

In an article in TechTimes about home automation, experts argue that any automation should tick these four boxes: It must be practical, consistent, customizable, and it should allow integration across multiple platforms and brands.

 

Step 3: Group automation efforts into categories.

Instead of attacking issues one by one, create overarching solutions. Want to bolster security? Coordinate locking doors, turning on security, and lighting the backyard before bed. Want a more soothing morning experience? Program the house to gradually bring up the lights and shades as you wake, start the coffee brewing, and adjust the thermostat.

 

Step 4: Reassess.

Are you feeling more refreshed with your morning routine? Are your kids enjoying the convenience of the front door unlocking automatically (and you no longer yelling at them about turning the lights off)? Are your movie nights more epic now that your lighting, killer sound, and incredible TV picture are all working in concert? If not, recheck your priorities and tweak your settings. (Since automation is also designed to conserve energy—adjusting temperature and lighting in an empty house, putting appliances in sleep mode when not in use—you should also check your power bill periodically to have numbers to brag about!)

 

High tech solutions can seem daunting, but worse, they can seem cold and overly invasive when used in the wrong way. When it comes down to building a smart home system that fits your family, the goal shouldn’t be to control more technology but rather to let your fancy tech fade into the background. This should look like enjoying life more, not using tech more.