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The Ultimate Renter's Guide to Home Automation
by Maxine Gallo - updated March 14, 2024
Feel like your apartment or condo is dumb? Let's make it Smart.
Still using the same bulbs that came with your apartment? Those flickering, yellowish monstrosities that make your living room resemble a hostage negotiation scene. It’s enough to make you long for the days when your biggest lighting decision was choosing between 40 watts and 60 watts. But fear not, fellow renter! Smart home upgrades aren’t just for fancy homeowners with built-in security systems and Alexa-powered refrigerators (although, can we talk about those for a second?). With a few renter-friendly hacks and gadgets, you can transform your rental into a tech paradise – no permission slip from your landlord required. We’re talking mood-lighting that makes Netflix binges even more immersive, voice-controlled assistants who will dim the lights for movie night without you ever having to leave the couch, and maybe even a gadget that folds your laundry (okay, maybe not that last one… yet).
Overcoming Renter Objections: Smart Tech That Won't Get You Evicted
“Will My Landlord Freak Out?”
Don’t be the tenant who leave’s a disastrous trail of DIY projects gone wrong. With the right smart tech, you’ll master temporary transformation. No drilling, no rewiring, no security deposit deductions.
Imagine Smart Bulbs that look just like regular bulbs until you whip out your phone and paint your living room with a cozy sunset glow. Peel-and-stick LED strips that disappear behind your furniture, turning your boring bedroom into a party-ready hub. Smart Plugs that turn your ancient appliances into energy-efficient, cash saving machines.
We’re not just talking about giving your place a little aesthetic spice, these upgrades can actually add value to your space. Subtle accent lighting? Makes your place look bigger. Smart Thermostat that learns your schedule? That’s comfort AND a lower utility bill. Show your landlord that “smart renter” means “responsible renter.”
Sometimes rental upgrades feel like throwing money into a void, like leasing a car. After 3 years you have nothing to show (except maybe a little debt). But with these renter-proof solutions, you can take your Smart devices with you when you move on to your next adventure. It’s a win-win: a better living space now and a brighter, more customizable place in the future!
"Isn't Smart Tech Super Expensive?"
Okay, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the fear that “Smart Home” translates to “empty wallet.” Before you start budgeting for ramen noodles and canceling your streaming subscriptions, hear me out: you don’t need a trust fund to give your rental a tech upgrade. There are plenty of Smart brands that won’t break the bank, and trust me, the long-term savings make it worth ditching a few takeout dinners.
Think about it this way, those ancient appliances and energy-sucking lightbulbs are constantly draining your paycheck. A Smart Thermostat can learn your schedule and save you serious cash on heating and cooling, while Smart Plugs can put an end to “vampire power” (yes, that’s a real thing!). Suddenly, those gadgets are basically paying for themselves.
And to get you started, I’m a big fan of the “Smart Renter Starter Kit” concept. Think of it as your entry-level tech kit to transform your apartment without needing a second job. We can put together a solid setup for under $100. that includes essentials like Smart Bulbs for ambiance, a Smart Plug to control that power-hungry old lamp, and maybe even a voice assistant to make you feel like tech royalty.
See, being a Smart renter isn’t just about having cool gadgets; it’s about making your hard-earned money work smarter too.
"I'm Not a Tech Genius – Help!"
Let’s be honest, the words “Smart Home setup” can SOUND overwhelmingly daunting. But rest assured. You don’t need to take a class or buy and build a desk from IKEA to get mentally prepped. Fear not, tech-challenged friend! Modern Smart devices are surprisingly (sometimes shockingly) easy to set up. There really is no learning curve. Apps with crystal clear instructions, plug-and-play gadgets, and devices so easy to use you’ll toss the setup manual before you begin.
Don’t believe me? Ask my grandma, who recently set up her own voice-activated Smart Lights and now brags about it at bingo night. If she can do it, you definitely can too. If you dip your toes into Smart living, you’ll never want to get out. Soon, we’ll be offering DIY hacks as well as break-downs of how to get the most out of your tech. Think of me as the tech translator, turning “plug that into the thingy” into vocab a toddler could follow along to.
Let’s normalize the occasional tech fail. We’ve all accidentally set our Smart Speaker to blast death metal at 6 AM or created an automation routine that turned our lights on and off like a disco rave. It happens to the best of us. The important thing is not to give up, have a good laugh, and remember – even the tech geniuses started somewhere.
Bottom line: don’t let a few tangled cords error messages scare you off. Conquering your Smart Home setup is absolutely within your reach, and the payoff (think: never getting out of bed to turn off the lights again) is totally worth it. Keep reading to see my Smart Essentials “best of” series.
SMART ESSENTIALS
BEST OF 2024
by Maxine Gallo - updated March 14, 2024
Lighting
The days of tripping over the dog while fumbling for the light switch are over. That’s right, a new era has begun. Over the past five to ten years, “Smart Lighting” technology has excelled, as has the rest of the Smart Home industry.
Let’s say you are at the airport headed to a big meeting. But just as you’re getting settled on the plane you realize you left the lights on in your apartment! Instead of panicking and calling your neighbor, you pull out your phone and turn them off. That’s the world we live in today. The question is – are you planning to become a part of that world? If so, we’ve got you covered.
There are plenty of inexpensive, dependable Smart Lights that will not only create a better, more customizable environment, but you save money in the process. There’s no need for a specialist to install them either. You’re the specialist now, embrace it! Welcome to the future, where you can control your lights with your voice, set lighting schedules, and add a touch of style to your new condo. The best part? They’re super-duper renter-friendly.
Let’s explore how Smart Lighting can upgrade your space. We’ll cover the best products, simple setup, and all the ways it can make your rental feel more comfortable and convenient.
Best Overall Value - Smart Bulbs
Govee Smart Bulbs
4 stars for a great value for renters looking to upgrade their lighting situation without a big investment. At or around the price of a standard four-pack of incandescent bulbs, you get a set of Govee Smart Bulbs that offer a variety of features you won’t find in traditional bulbs. These include dimming, color-changing capabilities, and the ability to be controlled with your phone or voice commands. Also, if you just want a rave in your room, they sync with your music (Clubbing on a budget). Just one thing to keep in mind, they only work on your 2.5ghz network setting. Most people wouldn’t have to adjust any settings though. Below Pros and Cons you’ll see selections for 2, 4, 6, or 8 packs.
PROS
- Affordable
- Bright with a large range of colors
- Support for 16 million DIY colors and 54 dynamic scenarios
- Works great with Google, Alexa, Govee app
- Everyday functionality
CONS
- The app can be a little cluttered at times with social media fluff
- The bulbs may not be compatible with older ceiling fans.
- Works best on 2.5ghz wifi
Additional Govee Bulb Count Selection
Amazon Links
Best Overall Value - Ceiling Fixture
One of my favorite styles of Smart Lighting – the ceiling mount. Packed with 1200 Lumen, its sleek, low-profile design blends seamlessly into diverse decor styles. The integrated LEDs deliver bright, long-lasting light that’s both dimmable and color-temperature adjustable, letting you customize the ambiance to suit any room’s purpose. Plus, with voice control compatibility and convenient app features, you gain total control of your lighting without extensive electrical work or the need for a Smart Hub. All this, plus an energy-efficient design, makes this fixture a smart investment that will improve both your space and bank account.
PROS
- Can be used in damp places
- 1200 Lumen – 6500 Kelvin
- Bright with a large range of colors
- Support for 16 million DIY colors
- Works great with Google, Alexa, Govee app
- Very affordable the for quality
CONS
- Only dimmable with the app
- Physical Setup is a little tricky but not bad
- English is clearly not the first language for whoever wrote the directions. Gets the point across though
Best Overall Value - Smart LED strips
Another excellent value from Govee. These lights have 60,000+ reviews on Amazon. They’re the real deal. The best Smart LED strip, dollars to donuts (do people actually say that?). These little guys let you ditch the bland lighting and create a whole new atmosphere in your apartment/condo/dorm with just a tap on your phone. Imagine cozy movie nights with warm, calming light, or dance parties with colors that pulse and change to the beat of the music, my favorite feature with all Smart Lights. Plus, they’re renter-friendly. They stick on the wall and there’s no setup, other than pairing them with your phone. No need to turn your wall into Swiss cheese with nails and lose your security deposit.
Govee Smart LED Strip Lights – 16.4ft WiFi LED Strip Lighting
(Price subject to change)
Amazon
PROS
- Wide range of colors and brightness levels
- Lights react and change in time with your music for a fun, immersive experience.
- Adhesive backing for simple, renter-friendly setup.
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free operation
CONS
- App can be glitchy at times
- Adhesive may not be perfect for all surfaces (test out a discrete area before installing)
- Dependence on WiFi – Functionality is lost if your internet connection goes down.