How to make a home automation in a few simple steps

Making your home home home automation means automating the functions of the home to improve comfort, functionality, security and energy efficiency. Home automation can be implemented through the electrical system with a centralized control system, or through a DIY smart ecosystem with wireless devices connected to a hub. 

In this article, we explain how to make a home automation in a few simple steps, focusing on DIY solutions. 

What does it mean to make the home home automation? 

We often use the term "home automation" to refer to very different systems. A smart home, in fact, is not necessarily a home equipped with a real home automation system. It is therefore important to make a distinction between two concepts that are often confused with each other. 

On the one hand, we have what we technically call home automation. It is a discipline aimed at improving the quality and comfort of the home, which uses the electrical system and involves the physical wiring of all devices to a control box. A home automation system allows the integrated management of aspects such as lighting, heating and security, also allowing remote and voice control, thanks to the internet connection of the control unit. 

On the other hand, we have the smart home, closely linked to the concept of IoT (Internet of Things). In this case, we are referring to a home equipped with several independent devices. The latter are all equipped with wireless connectivity and can interact with each other when connected to a hub/gateway that shares the same communication protocol. The result is a smart do-it-yourself ecosystem, flexible, easily extendable and often very affordable prices. 

To make a home automation, therefore, you can take two different paths: the choice depends on your needs and budget. To find out more, you can read our comparison of home automation and smart home. 

What you can do with home automation: all the advantages

Home automation makes it possible to automate numerous functions of the home, making it not only more comfortable, functional and safe, but also more energy efficient. 

Among the elements that we can control in a smart home are: 

• heating and air conditioning;
• lighting;
• access (gates, garage doors, windows, etc.) and security (cameras, alarms, sensors, etc.);
• household appliances. 

Thanks to remote control via smartphone, for example, it is possible to turn the lights off or on, lower or raise the shutters, program the thermostat according to your arrival, be aware of what is happening in the house in real time, etc. More and more devices also allow vocalcontrol. 

In addition, a home automation allows a series of automations aimed at increasing comfort and maximizing energy savings.

Just think of thermostats that can automatically adjust their settings based on users' habits or the ability to create scenarios to make different devices interact with each other. For example, with a hypothetical "good night" scenario, it would be possible to turn off the lights, lower the shutters and close all accesses at the same time, without any manual intervention by the user.
 

How to make a home automation: products and solutions

To make the home home home automation and create a real smart home, all you need is a series of smart devices. The possibilities are numerous: it all depends on your needs and preferences. 

Smart thermostats and climate

Smart thermostats for heating are one of the most popular home automation products, especially thanks to the tangible energy savings they bring. In addition to temperature control via app and voice, and punctual programming, the most advanced thermostats have a series of features designed to optimize their operation completely autonomously. 

The thermostat will then be able to adapt to the habits of family members and adjust the temperature automatically or based on other factors such as geolocation, weather conditions, the presence of open windows and so on. 

There is also no shortage of solutions to control air conditioning: natively smart air conditioners but also universal remote controls that allow remote control and voice. 

Smart lights

When it comes to home automation, lighting is one of the main areas of application. Especially with regard to the DIY sector, the market is full of solutions, simple to use and often cheap. Bulbs, spotlights, LED strips, lamps, wall panels: the range of choice is wide and the customization possibilities are numerous. 

Thanks to remote programming and control, smart lights allow you to save on your bill, but not only. The most advanced models offer the possibility to change color (choosing from millions of shades), to set scenarios (reading, cinema, etc.) and even light up in time to the music. So, it's no surprise that smart lighting plays a central role in relooking your home. 

Safety

Security is also an area in which a home automation can really make a difference. The solutions are different: from indoor and outdoor video surveillance cameras to sensors for doors and windows, from smart video intercoms to smart locks that allow you to have full control over access. 

These devices, used individually or within anti-theft kits, allow you to prevent theft and break-ins, sending timely notifications to the smartphone and offering the possibility of viewing the live stream. Some products also provide two-way audio, as well as emergency call to law enforcement. 

Before choosing an alarm system, however, we recommend that you carefully analyze your needs. If, for example, you have four-legged friends at home, it is preferable to have burglar alarms designed for pets, in order to avoid false alarms. 

Finally, when it comes to security, we can't ignore access management. In addition to the aforementioned video intercoms and locks, there are smart kits and motors to make gates and garage doors automatic. 

Smart Plugs & Switches

Smart sockets and switches (including relays) are among the most commonly used devices to make a home automation, thanks to their ease of use and wide range of applications. With these products it is in fact possible to make everything that is not smart: appliances, lights, shutters, gates and much more.

Especially sockets are plug and play devices that are very simple to set up and use. Some models are also able to monitor the energy consumption of the electrical appliance to which they are connected. 

Smart blinds and roller shutters

As with gates and garage doors, it is also possible to automate the operation of internal and external blinds and roller shutters. All you need is special motors to install inside the roller. Of course, preliminary research is necessary in order to choose the right product and ensure proper operation (you can read this in-depth study on automated roller shutters to learn more). 

Home automation hubs and smart speakers

Finally, the use of a hub, such as TaHoma switch, is essential to create a real home automation ecosystem. It is a device that acts as a central communication point between all the other devices in the house. Thanks to it, it is possible to control all devices in a simple and intuitive way from a single interface, using an application on your smartphone or tablet, such as the Somfy home automation app. 

Alternatively, you can use a smart speaker, such as Amazon Echo or Nest Audio. These speakers integrate a virtual assistant, thanks to which they allow you to control the smart devices in your home with your voice. Again, management is centralized, with the ability to set up scenarios that include multiple products. 

Angelica Filomena is content creator and co-founder of Smartdomotica.it, the portal dedicated to the world of home automation, smart home, technology, smart home and smart life. Smartdomotica's mission is to help users by answering the most common doubts and questions and providing information content of concrete value. Angelica has held important roles in digital marketing for several international companies and was responsible for the Smart Home and DIY department of Amazon Italy.