Every journey starts with an idea!
There are countless ways to get started with home automation!
Sometimes you just need a nudge in the right direction.
I've put together this list of what I think are the best ideas to get started with your next home automation project.
We all need some inspiration from time to time!
Air quality monitoring
Monitor the air quality in your home for improved health and well-being with an automated monitoring device. This device can detect particles that can lead to headaches, allergies, and other health issues. Be sure to maintain clean, healthy air in your home with this advanced monitoring technology!
Things you'll need for this project
Alarm system
Create your own home alarm system with this guide! Learn how to configure and customize your security system to take the action you want it to when detecting suspicious behavior. Find out how to save money and get the protection you need without expensive alarm systems that don't do everything you want them to. Build a personalized, cost-efficient alarm system for your home today!
Things you'll need for this project
Automatic pet feeder
Do you have pets and you're planning on being away from home for a few days or a few weeks? An automatic pet feeder will be perfect for you! It feeds your pets for you while you're away, so you don't have to worry about them while you're out.
Things you'll need for this project
Cheap bluetooth speakers
Bluetooth speakers can be expensive if you want to go for great quality. But what if you already have incredible speakers and just want to make them smarter? You can great a little device, connect your speakers to it, and you're ready to go!
Things you'll need for this project
Electrical timer
With this home automation project, you can turn off lights at a certain time at night, or make it seem as if someone is home while you're away on vacation. Put an end to forgetting to turn off lights and create a smarter home with this home automation project today!
Things you'll need for this project
Smart thermostat
A smart thermostat can save you hundreds per year on your utility bill! Only turn on the heating when you're home and you're never spending money to keep your house warm for no one to enjoy it.
Things you'll need for this project
Flood sensors for basements
If you're dealing with a flooded basement, it'd be nice to know if and when your basement is getting wet. Is it due to rainfall or is there a leaking pipe? Let's build a flood detector with an Arduino or ESP8266!
Things you'll need for this project
Home Assistant dashboard
Home Assistant is an easy-to-install free and open-source dashboard. It's perfectly suited for a Raspberry Pi and can be installed in under 30 minutes. Home Assistant has integrations for a large variety of devices and brands, so you're very likely to be able to control most, if not all, devices from a central spot.
Things you'll need for this project
Homemade vending machine
A vending machine is a fun way to learn how you can build your own home automation projects! Let's build your own vending machine and learn a lot of different new skills.
Things you'll need for this project
Humidity control center
Control the humidity levels in your house as part of your home automation devices. Do you want to go to sleep with higher humidity? Make it part of your nighttime routine!
Things you'll need for this project
Mesh Wi-Fi network for connectivity indoors & outdoors
Build your own mesh network on the cheap with an ESP8266 for improved Wi-FI connectivity indoors & outdoors. It's a fraction of the cost of an off-the-shelf solution and is much easier than you'd expect.
Things you'll need for this project
Mood lighting
Mood lighting is a perfect addition to your smart house for a lot of different situations! You can help this mood lighting to inform you about the temperature outside, whether it'll be a quiet or busy commute, or whether your cat is indoors. Whatever the use, make it useful for your situation!
Things you'll need for this project
Motion detected lights
Motion detecting lighting can help make your life much easier in many ways! You can always see where you're going, you're never wasting electricity with lights that stay on, and you never have to think about your lights again!
Things you'll need for this project
Plant watering system
Watering your plants while you're away on vacation is difficult, but not impossible! You can automatically water your plants by using an Arduino or ESP8266, a moisture sensor and a water pump quite easily!
Things you'll need for this project
Security cameras
Security cameras are great when you're on vacation and you'd like to check up on your house every once in a while! Perhaps you'd like to see what your cats are up to during the night! A security camera is easy to build and has very many uses!
Things you'll need for this project
Smart appliances for the kitchen
Upgrade your kitchen with smart appliances, including ovens, fridges, and dishwashers
Smart Coffee Maker
A smart coffee maker can make your mornings more pleasant! Can you already imagine waking up to a perfectly hot coffee that's freshly made for you? It's quite a simple project to try out!
Things you'll need for this project
Smart garage door openers
Upgrade your garage with smart door openers for added convenience and security
Smart home air conditioning systems
Upgrade your home cooling with smart air conditioning systems for enhanced comfort and energy efficiency
Smart home air purification systems
Improve the air quality in your home with smart air purification systems
Smart home appliances for the attic
Improve the maintenance of your home's attic with smart appliances, including fans and dehumidifiers
Smart home appliances for the basement
Improve the maintenance of your home's basement with smart appliances, including dehumidifiers and sump pumps
Smart home appliances for the bathroom
Upgrade your personal hygiene routine with smart bathroom appliances, including showers and faucets
Smart home appliances for the bedroom
Enhance your sleep and relaxation routine with smart bedroom appliances, including alarm clocks and sleep monitors
Smart home appliances for the entryway
Improve the organization in your home's entryway with smart appliances, including shoe racks and coat hangers
Smart home appliances for the garage
Improve the storage and organization in your garage with smart appliances, including shelving and workshop tools
Smart home appliances for the garden
Elevate your outdoor maintenance routine with smart garden appliances, including hedge trimmers and leaf blowers
Smart home appliances for the laundry room
Elevate your laundry care routine with smart appliances, including ironing boards and drying racks
Smart home appliances for the living room
Enhance the comfort and convenience of your living room with smart appliances, including coffee makers and fans
Smart home appliances for the nursery
Elevate your baby care routine with smart nursery appliances, including baby monitors and humidifiers
Smart home appliances for the pantry
Improve the organization of your kitchen pantry with smart appliances, including shelving and organizers
Smart home appliances for the pet area
Elevate your pet care routine with smart appliances, including feeders and waterers
Smart home appliances for the playroom
Improve organization and convenience in your children's playroom with smart appliances, including toy organizers and play mats
Smart home appliances for the pool
Elevate your pool maintenance routine with smart pool appliances, including pool cleaners and heaters
Smart home appliances for the storage room
Improve the organization of your home's storage room with smart appliances, including shelving and organizers
Smart home appliances for the workshop
Upgrade your DIY projects with smart workshop appliances, including power tools and equipment
Smart home blinds and shades
Upgrade your home's window coverings with smart blinds and shades
Smart home doorbells and intercoms
Experience ultimate convenience with smart doorbells and intercoms for your home
Smart home entertainment systems
Experience the ultimate movie and TV experience with smart home entertainment systems
Smart home fans and ceiling fans
Upgrade your home cooling with smart fans and ceiling fans
Smart home fitness equipment
Stay in shape from the comfort of your home with smart fitness equipment, including treadmills and exercise bikes
Smart home generators
Ensure your home has backup power with smart home generators
Smart home light switches and dimmers
Upgrade your home's lighting control with smart switches and dimmers
Smart home networking systems
Improve the connectivity of your home with smart home networking systems
Smart home office equipment
Upgrade your home office with smart equipment, including printers and scanners
Smart home pool pumps and filters
Elevate your pool maintenance with smart pool pumps and filters
Smart home power strips and surge protectors
Ensure the safety of your electronics with smart power strips and surge protectors
Smart home pressure and leak detectors
Ensure the safety of your home with smart pressure and leak detectors
Smart home shutters and screens
Enhance the protection of your home with smart shutters and screens
Smart home switches and outlets
Upgrade your home's power outlets and switches with smart versions
Smart home thermometers and hygrometers
Improve the control of temperature and humidity in your home with smart thermometers and hygrometers
Smart home ventilation systems
Improve the air circulation in your home with smart ventilation systems
Smart home water heaters
Improve the efficiency of your hot water with smart home water heaters
Smart home water purification and filtration systems
Ensure clean water for your home with smart water purification and filtration systems
Smart home windows
Improve the energy efficiency of your home with smart windows
Smart irrigation systems
Improve the efficiency of your agriculture with smart irrigation systems
Smart laundry machines
Elevate your laundry routine with smart washing machines and dryers
Smart lighting
Smart lighting offers you many benefits, even some you might have not thought of before! You can create light shows for house parties, dim the lights during the evening to get ready for bed, or even pretend you're home by automatically turning the lights on and off while you're on vacation!
Things you'll need for this project
Smart locks
Improve your home security with smart locks for your doors and windows
Smart mirror
Do you enjoy reading the news, looking at the weather, or do you want to know the time while you're in the bathroom in the morning? A smart mirror might be the perfect smart home addition for you!
Things you'll need for this project
Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Ensure the safety of your home with smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Smart sprinkler systems
Improve the efficiency of your lawn and garden care with smart sprinkler systems
Smart vacuums
Improve the efficiency and convenience of cleaning your home with smart vacuums
Temperature monitoring
Monitoring the temperature in and around your house can help you improve your living space massively throughout the year! What effect does closing the blinds have on the temperature in your house? Time to find out!
Things you'll need for this project
Touchscreen coffee table
What's something you don't know how you could've lived without? A touchscreen coffee table! I know, it's a bit of an unnecessary home automation project, but it's such a cool project to build! You'll have the most unique coffee table out of everyone you know!
Things you'll need for this project
Turn on the garden lights after sunset
Turning on the garden lights when it gets dark is a very easy project to help you get started with home automation. Let's see how we can let Home Assistant control our lights!
Things you'll need for this project
Utility usage monitoring
Monitor your electricity and gas usage through Home Assistant with their new Energy dashboard! You can easily build your own device to send data from your electricity and gas meter to Home Assistant and get instant insights on your energy usage.
Things you'll need for this project
Weather station
Weather enthusiasts be ready! You don't have to buy a complete weather station that comes with extra (and more expensive) features you'll never use. You can make it yourself and fit your exact needs!
Things you'll need for this project
