How Smart Homes Can Help Smart Moms

May 4, 2022

Being a mom can mean a lot of things. It goes without saying that the job comes with many responsibilities and can be very demanding. According to Alarm.com research, moms spend an average of 36 hours a week organizing, coaching, and managing their children. And, while we appreciate our moms for all that they do, a little help goes a long way. That’s where smart homes come in.

The home is the hub for most mothers and families; Consider it headquarters for an operation consisting of daily routines, after-school activities, social playdates, appointments, and more. It’s a lot to keep track of but with a few simple smart home devices and features, motherhood can become much more manageable.

back to school virtual learning kid and teacher

Keep your home base safe & protected

Safety is likely at the top of every mom’s priority list when it comes to managing the family and home. Of course, there are some things that are difficult to control. That’s why we put smart measures in place to have our backs. With integrated fire and CO2 detectors powered by Alarm.com, you can rest assured that in the event on an emergency, you’ll be notified right away, and so will the authorities for a quick response.  

Plus, with the help of HD, live-streaming security cameras, moms can keep eyes on their homes no matter where they are. Video Analytics can take it a step further and notify you of activity around your home based on customized preferences. So, you’ll know if a strange car is hanging around the driveaway, if a delivery has landed on your doorstep, or if an animal has gotten into the backyard!

Cell phone showing exterior video camera view of delivery person

Automate your routines with smart “scenes”

Getting through your day can run a lot smoother when your home is checking off your list for you. With smart “scenes,” moms can customize settings for integrated devices to run together and automate your routines. So, at the end of a long day, while you’re getting everyone ready to bed, you can easily run your “Good Night” scene with the tap of the button and have your thermostat cool down, porch lights turn on, TV’s off, doors locked, and alarm set for the night. Not a morning person? Set a scene to get the home and family up and running. From “Dinner Time” to “Movie Night” and even “Relaxation Time” –  your home has your back.

Alarm.com video analytics identifying a person approaching the house

Keep track of the family

Even with a small family, things can get hectic and moms could use help keeping track of everyone. With custom access codes set up with your alarm and smart locks, you can grant your older kids independence while still getting notifications of when they leave and arrive at home. Plus, indoor cameras throughout your home can help you check in when you aren’t home (perfect for dog or cat moms too!)

Ready to upgrade your home?

Reach out to us at 678-566-2640 or sales@phoenixsystems.tv and a Phoenix Rep will be happy to discuss your needs and options!

Lighting is an essential and powerful element of any home’s design. When designed with intention, lighting can not only make your home feel warmer and more welcoming, but it can increase productivity, highlight your favorite areas of your house, and add character. Plus, choosing the right bulbs and fixtures from your home can impact energy efficiency. 

There are four main types of lighting you should keep in mind when designing or revamping your home. Each serves its own purpose and comes in a variety of options.

Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting provides the overall illumination and sets the mood for a room. Typically, it floods the room with lighting from above, from ceiling-mounted lights and ceiling fans. Wall sconces can also provide enough lighting to brighten a room.

Of course, ambient lighting can come in a variety of styles which can work well in larger rooms like kitchens and living rooms. Ceiling lights can be dome-shaped flushed fixtures, or recessed lights for a sleeker and more minimal look. They can be a part of a ceiling fan or stand alone for a bold statement-making chandelier. Or, tall floor lamps can provide excellent ambient lighting, especially in rooms with high ceilings.

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting is more dedicated to style than function. With the use of directional track lights or spotlights, you can guide the eyes toward artwork or architectural elements within your home that deserve special attention.

This type of lighting can add character to your home, setting the stage for your favorite spaces and pieces to shine. Options like cove lighting can be installed near your tray ceiling or crown molding to bring those features to life.

Task Lighting

There are a lot of tasks and activities we perform in our homes on a daily basic. From cooking and preparing your morning coffee to reading, writing, and working at home. Task lighting can illuminate the necessary areas for you to do your best work. 

Under-cabinet lighting is a great way to brighten up the counter tops when you’re prepping meals, while also highlighting your beautiful backsplashes, countertop décor, coffee bar, and more. Then, when it’s time to settle in for the night, task lighting by your bedside can help you crack open a good book to wind down.

Natural Lighting

Never underestimate the power of natural lighting within your home. Sunlight streaming in through your windows can instantly make a home feel more welcoming and comfortable. Of course, while we have no power over the sun outside, we can manage the ways we incorporate it into our lighting design through smart shading.

With a variety of fabric options, you can let just enough light in to brighten your home, while also controlling unnecessary glares, or even keeping your bedroom dark and cozy.

Source: Control4

Get Smarter About Lighting

The lighting in your home should feel intuitive and comforting, not cumbersome and overwhelming. With so many lights in your house, it can help to integrate them all into your smart home system. This way, you can manage them all from a single app, or even automate them based on your routines and energy-management needs. Smart lighting systems can even make your home safer, so you never come home to a dark house, and you can deter intruders while you’re on vacation.

 Phoenix Systems offers free consultations with our smart home pros to help design and install lighting solutions that work for you.