• Click Fix
  • Smart Home Finds

The Basics of Building a Smart Home: Where to Start and What You Need

May 24, 2022 by

read

By Janice Roman

2 min read

03_AB_V2

When we hear the words “smart home,” many things come to mind. It may seem overwhelming at first, but it’s not as complicated as you may think. These days, anyone can easily learn how to make their home smarter.

Thinking of making your home smarter? Start with these basics to make the Next Upgrade!

If you want a quick introduction, read our Smart Home 101 here; but if you’re ready to dive head-first, we’ve got some starter tips to set you off on the right foot. Take note that this is just a guide and not a step-by-step process, so you can still feel free to build your smart home the way you see fit.

shutterstock_2004138026

Identify your budget and lifestyle.

Before anything else, align your purchases based on what you need. Don’t just join the bandwagon! Knowing your priorities, doing a lifestyle check, and spending within your means will help you decide on suitable smart devices for your home. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all! What is useful for others may not work similarly for you.

Consider the basic smart home categories.

Once you’ve identified how much you’re willing to spend and what you’re going to upgrade, then you can start mapping out the parts of your home you want to use smart devices in. Whether you want to create mood lighting for different hours of the day or need to upgrade to a robot vacuum to maximize cleaning time, you can explore basic smart home categories to start with.

shutterstock_1949267749

Decide how you want to control your smart devices.

These days, the most recommended controller is your smartphone. With your smartphone, you can choose plenty of intelligence assistants (like Siri, Alexa, and Bixby) that will process your voice commands such as turning lights on or playing music. While older versions of smartphones are less capable due to storage and memory capacity, you always have other options to program your smart devices’ automations.

shutterstock_1936711675

Reliability is key.

A smart home won’t be complete without reliable and fast-speed internet connection. With PLDT Home’s All-New Fiber Plus Plans, you can enjoy better connectivity from 100mbps up to 1000mbps to suit everyone’s needs. The higher the internet speed, the more devices can work simultaneously. PLDT Home offers flexible plans, depending on your budget and online activity!

Don’t settle just yet.

If you don’t know how to utilize a smart device’s full potential, you’re definitely not getting your money’s worth. Online reviews give you an idea of a product’s pros and cons, which is why the Next Upgrade official YouTube channel regularly shares what’s hot and what’s not in smart technology. You can also sign up for online communities (such as Home Buddies on Facebook) and interact with other members who have made a purchase.

Be sure you only get the best #BudolFinds for your home. Stick to smart buys for your #SmartHome!

 

Know the Product Better

PLDT Home’s All-New Fiber Plus Plans

  • With speeds of up to 1000 mbps
  • Comes with at least 3 Mesh Wi-Fi Points (for whole home coverage)
  • Landline (unlimited calls to any PLDT landline)
AT_Janice-plain

AUTHOR

Janice Roman

Janice is the main writer for Next Upgrade’s Wellness, Pop Culture, Entertainment sections. As a media and communication studies scholar, writer, and researcher, Janice writes about a hybrid of topics from academic to lifestyle journalism. She is a pleasure reader of Nick Joaquin’s books and pride literature.

RELATED ARTICLES

 

Know the Product Better

AUTHOR