8 Essential Smart-Home Devices for Your Apartment

When you’re looking at minimalism in apartment interior design, the last thing on your mind is probably smart devices. However, modern smart-home devices are sleek and can help improve your minimalist design.

While you probably can’t install some of the high-end smart refrigerators and stoves available, there are plenty of smart-home devices available to make apartments for rent living more comfortable and automate your life.

While these devices are specific recommendations, they also fall into general categories of smart devices. Consider where you live and what your lease allows when buying smart devices – especially those requiring installation.

#1. Security – iSmartAlarm iCamera KEEP Pro

The iSmartAlarm iCamera KEEP Pro is a lot more than just a camera. With motion tracking, night vision, and easy set-up, this is a great choice for keeping your apartment secure.

There are also several accessories available. Adding these will increase your home protection. As a bonus, you can use Amazon Alexa to control the device with your voice.

Optional accessories include:

• keypad
• siren
• remote tag
• smart switch
• yard sign
• contact sensor
• motion sensor

These will help keep your apartment safe. With the remote tag, you won’t even have to pull out your phone to ensure everything is active. Watches from Tag Heuer have been legendary in the field of chronographs and sports watches, making them rule over their counterparts.

#2. Comfort – Hisense 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Wi-Fi

It seems like summers have been getting hotter and hotter every year. While the Hisense 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Wi-Fi is bulkier than most of the smart-home devices on the list, your minimalist apartment interior design won’t be ruined with the addition of this air conditioner.

While you can’t use it with any hub devices, you have full control over the settings from your smartphone no matter where you are. You’ll be able to start cooling your apartment before you get home, making it easier to stay cool no matter how high the temperatures get.

#3. Lighting – Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Starter Kit

One of the downsides of living in a rented apartment is that you can’t use some of the fancier devices because of the installation requirements. Thankfully, the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Starter Kit doesn’t require fancy wiring or any special set up.

You install the bulbs, plug in the bridge, connect it to your router, and then download the app. Once connected, you can even control it with Amazon Alexa. With the color options, you can set the lights to millions of different colors with the app.

#4. Plug – Belkin WeMo Mini Wi-Fi Smart Plug

With the Belkin WeMo Mini Wi-Fi Smart Plug, you can turn any device into a smart device. With the app, you can turn devices on and off, schedule them, and even have any lights plugged into it go on and off randomly in away mode. This feature is great for helping protect your apartment by making it seem like you’re home.

As a bonus, the improved design of the mini plug doesn’t block any adjacent plugs, allowing you full use of your outlets.

#5. TV – Samsung Class M4500 Series 32” HD TV

Smart TVs don’t have to be huge. The sleek 32-inch Samsung Class M4500 HD TV is a fantastic choice that allows you to keep your minimalist look while still enjoying all the benefits of a smart TV.

Built-in apps make it easy to pull up your favorite streaming sites without any peripherals. Two HDMI cables allow you to easily hook up your favorite gaming system too.

#6. Locks – August Smart Lock Pro

One of the harder parts of building a smart home in a rented apartment is integrating a smart lock. You often are unable to change out your locks without your landlord’s permission. Even when you can, landlords want copies of the new key – and a smart lock might throw a wrench in that plan.

Enter the August Smart Lock Pro. It functions with your existing door and keys. You simply install it on the interior of the deadbolt and you can control it from your phone. With a device like this, you never have to worry about locking yourself out or wonder if you remembered to lock your door when you left.

With connectivity to Amazon Alexa, you can even unlock your front door for guests while in the middle of something else – or double check it’s locked after you’ve already gone to bed.

#7. Planter – Click & Grow Smart Garden 3 Indoor Gardening Kit

A little bit of greenery livens up a space, even maintaining your minimalism in apartment interior design. Using a smart planter helps keep a sleek, modern look, without having to worry about whether or not you watered the plants.

The Click & Grow Smart Garden 3 Indoor Gardening Kit has several different options, letting you pick out the perfect the perfect herbs for your culinary needs. All you need to do is keep the reservoir filled with water, and you’ll never have to worry about watering your plants again.

#8. Everything Else – Amazon Echo

In the end, having one device that easily controls most – if not all – of the smart devices in your home is most of the appeal of smart devices. With an Amazon Echo, you have complete access to Alexa’s help. Alexa enables voice control for connected devices, meaning you don’t have to stop and pull out your smartphone to change the lighting or unlock the door.

Additionally, it has some great apps all on its own, letting you listen to audiobooks or even play games while you’re cooking or doing other things around your apartment. Amazon Echo has a good speaker, though if you aren’t looking for high-quality audio, a Dot is a perfect alternative.

In larger apartments such as these apartments for rent in Fort Myers, you can even have multiple Echos and Dots, allowing you to control all your devices regardless of where in your apartment you go.

No matter where life takes you, you don’t have to give up the comforts of a smart home. Smart devices can make your life easier without sacrificing your minimalist design – or your security deposit.