ᐅ Smart ideas that make everyday life easier incorporated into the home

Somewhere, I’ve already posted our list before...

1. TV and satellite connections in every room (This doesn’t mean the TV is always on.) I just want to be able to listen to or watch, for example, news, music, a series, or whatever while showering, bathing, or cooking.

2. Network outlets everywhere for various devices.

3. Motion detectors in all hallways, bathrooms, kitchen, and utility room so no light switches are needed (in some cases we didn’t even plan or install any).

4. Infrared faucets in the bathrooms.

5. Electronic mailbox that sends a notification when mail is delivered.

6. Two control panels (touchscreens) from which the entire house can be operated—one near the entrance and one by the bed in the bedroom (so all functions are accessible and controllable from two central locations).

7. Voice control for lights and blinds, among other things, to save switches; these can still be individually operated via the displays, iPad, laptop, or smartphone.

8. Automated shading logic—if there’s too much sun, the blinds lower or raise gradually in sections or by facade.

9. Advanced control of the mechanical ventilation system with VOC and CO2 sensors in rooms and ducts, so the performance is continuously adjusted automatically; manual override is always possible.

10. Garbage disposal unit in the kitchen sink.

11. At night, lighting in hallways and bathrooms is dimmed to be gentler on the eyes and to avoid waking a partner.

12. Blinds in the bedroom don’t raise on weekends as long as you’re still in bed.

13. Projector and 182-inch (462 cm) screen in the living room, along with a professional popcorn machine (for the occasional cozy evenings).

14. Garden irrigation system.

15. NAS as a media server.

16. Temperature sensors in every room with display of this and other information (time, date, humidity, etc.) on the light switch panels in the rooms.

17. Currently, half of all power outlets can be switched individually. Changes can be made anytime without opening walls, just by rewiring a few cables.

18. Air conditioning on the upper floor.

19. Well, and many things running in the background (logic, controls), and things like three-phase power outside or an exterior water tap I don’t even count as extras—these should simply be standard in a modern house.

Gradually, more and more conveniences are added...we keep thinking of ways to improve things.

Ah, that's what I used to dream about as well.

That said – no offense – but I find the idea of voice control for the blinds/lights a bit “silly.”

I am speaking on my mobile phone.

@Mycraft, my technical enthusiasm keeps growing.

Regarding 3.
3. Presence detectors in all passage areas/bathrooms/kitchen/utility room so that no light switches are needed (we partly didn’t even plan or install them)
How can I retrofit this?

Regarding 8.
8. Shading logic — when there is too much sun, the blinds lower/raise gradually section by section/facade by facade
How exactly did you implement this? Could I possibly retrofit this as well with RWE smart home? Do you have any ideas?

Regarding 10:
10. Waste disposer in the kitchen sink
Is something like this retrofittable, and if so, could you send me a tip via private message?

Regarding 11:
11. At night, hallway and bathroom lighting is dimmed when switched on to be gentler on the eyes... and so the partner doesn’t wake up.
For the hallway upstairs in my house, I’m thinking about something similar. Currently there is just a switch.
Can I realize this directly with a replacement switch, or would I need to retrofit other components?

Regarding 12:
12. Blinds don’t raise in the bedroom on weekends as long as someone is still in bed
BRILLIANT!!!

Regarding 14:
14. Garden irrigation
This has been on my mind for weeks... since I still have to lay the lawn anyway, I could just do it shortly before... It’s a difficult decision at the moment.

Regarding 19:
19. Well, many things in the background (logic, controls) and things like three-phase power outside or an outdoor water tap I don’t even count as extras... that really should just be part of a modern house.
That’s what you mean. But it’s not really the case. Honestly and factually, it’s not.
To be frank – complete tech enthusiasts like us are actually quite rare.
Great features on your side – respect.

Best regards,
Thorsten

I agree with that. You really are technology enthusiasts.

Mycraft schrieb:

I think I’ve posted our list somewhere before...

Wow – that’s intense. But some cool ideas.

Mycraft schrieb:

1. TV and satellite connections in every room (That doesn’t mean the TV is always on.) I just want to be able to listen/watch news, music, a series, or whatever, even when showering/bathing/cooking.

We have them in all living and bedrooms plus the office/guest room.
I don’t want a TV in the kitchen. Otherwise, it ends up like at my father-in-law’s place, where the kids are allowed to watch TV at breakfast in the kitchen – but what can you do, grandparents get away with that. We have a small tablet on the fridge with a radio app. That’s enough.
We also decided against radio or TV in the bathroom. The only exception is that my wife sometimes stays longer than necessary (while bathing). She explicitly opted out of it.

Mycraft schrieb:

2. Network outlets everywhere for various devices

We installed double network sockets in the same areas as the TV and kitchen.

Mycraft schrieb:

3. Presence detectors in all hallways/bathrooms/kitchen/laundry rooms so you don’t need light switches (some we didn’t even plan or install)

Presence detectors or motion sensors?
We have a motion sensor with a light meter in the upper hallway. It works perfectly. When someone comes to the door or upstairs, it turns the light on precisely when it gets dark.
Presence detectors should be installed in bathrooms because my kids (and sometimes my wife) tend to forget to switch off the light. Presence detectors react to subtler movements than regular motion sensors (imagine someone sitting on the toilet at night and the light suddenly goes off because a motion sensor didn’t detect the slight movement of flipping the page of reading material). Unfortunately, this had to be cut for budget reasons.
Presence detectors are also significantly more expensive than motion sensors (at least according to the electrician’s quote).

Mycraft schrieb:

5. Electronic mailbox (it alerts you when mail is delivered)

I find that amusing. For me, it’s enough to check the mailbox once a day – usually done anyway when coming home.

Mycraft schrieb:

8. Shading logic – if too much sun, then shutters gradually go down/up in sections/facade areas

I think THAT is cool. I’d like that too.

Mycraft schrieb:

10. Garbage disposal in the kitchen sink

I thought those (which are common in the USA) are banned here in Germany? For one due to potential injury risk and also because the ground waste goes into the sewage system (at least in the US), which should not encourage rats.

Mycraft schrieb:

11. At night, lighting in hallways/bathrooms is only dimmed to be easier on the eyes... so the partner doesn’t wake up

Also a good idea. OK – I usually find my way in the dark, thanks to my daughter’s small nightlight. My wife wouldn’t mind something like that.

Mycraft schrieb:

14. Garden irrigation

We have that too – well, the installation isn’t quite finished yet (DIY). But it will definitely be great.

Mycraft schrieb:

16. Temperature sensors in every room with displays on the light switches showing this and other information (time, date, humidity, etc.)

What we call hygrometers for the interior – got a 3-pack for $19.99. Also in every relevant room.
The only pain point is the actual outdoor sensors. They seem to go through batteries fast because the outdoor temperature isn’t shown all that often.

Still, @Mycraft, cool stuff.