What makes a home smart?  Is it the home automation system you have in place?  Is it the top of the line security system?  Is it your smart lock or doorbell?  Or is it the energy-saving solution you have installed?  Or could it be the smart toilet that knows your preference even before you use it?  There are many smart solutions you can install in your home that’ll help transform it into a smart home, but it’s down to each of use to determine whether or not our home is smart enough for our liking.

Though it sounds futuristic sometimes, truth is there are already hundreds of smart home solutions sold in retail and online stores, so if you’re baffled as to where to start in your smart home improvement project, here are some cool gadgets and systems to get you on your way:

Knock knock!

Let’s start at the door.  If you want to be able to see people approaching your doorstep, you can place either a Canary or DoorBot outside.  It lets you see who’s at the door without getting up from your chair just using its companion app.  So even if you’re away, you can see who came by and tell them yourself when you’ll be coming back.

For door locks, you can either use a Lockitron, which is a perfect companion with the DoorBot, Kevo, or the August Smart Lock.  All the systems allow a keyless entry as it pairs with your smartphone, a key fob, and allows you to give temporary electronic keys to your guests so they can let themselves in without any hassle.

Automate now!

Next up is home automation.  These systems would allow you to control lights, temperature, or any connected appliances using your mobile device.  There’s WigWag, Revolv, or you can check out the Amazon Home Automation store if you think these aren’t the ones fit for your home.

Old appliances can’t be automated, but there are some gadgets you can purchase to help you somehow automate them such as digitalSTROM which allows interconnectivity of devices on the same power grid, the Belkin WeMo light switch that allows you to control home lighting, or Nest which allows you to control temperature and save on energy consumption.

Thing-a-majigs

Then there are smart things that just help you to live more comfortably.  The WHAALE Multiroom Player app which allows home dwellers to stream music to different AirPlay speakers or AirPlay-compatible speakers simultaneously, stream music from different sources, and even play different songs in different rooms at the same time.  The HiCan bed is the all-in-one bed – it has all your entertainment needs, has a comfortable mattress, and if you want to shut the whole world out with its automated blinds.  And when nature calls, feel like a king when you sit on the numi smart toilet.  It streams music while you do business, the lid and seat automatically lifts when you approach it, a controllable bidet to clean your self without touching anything, and even an air dryer because no one wants a wet tush.

Secure the perimeter

Of course, no smart home would be complete if there are no smart security systems in place. SmartThings not only helps you automate your home but it also keeps it secured and alerts you if there are movements inside when there shouldn’t be anyone home, then there are home security solutions like Vivint, ADT Pulse, and FrontPoint security that provides security for a monthly fee.

These are just some of the smart home solutions featured in SiliconANGLE’s SmartHome roundup.  Tune every Monday to catch the latest news in the SmartHome world, or check out our Springpad Notebook to see the entire SmartWorld collection.