How to build a streamlined smart home

Picture this: You’ve gotten through a gruelling day and have finally made it home, knowing that all that’s left to do is step through the front door into your welcoming sanctuary. The air conditioner has already cooled the space to your ideal temperature, the robot vacuum has finished its rounds, and warm, ambient lighting creates a soothing atmosphere. Even the water heater is ready, so you can step straight into a relaxing shower. With everything running effortlessly in sync, your home becomes a haven that anticipates your needs and welcomes you into comfort. 

Welcome to the world of smart living.     

For many young homeowners creating their dream spaces, home design isn’t just about decor anymore. It’s about weaving convenience, security, and technology into the fabric of everyday life. With smart home technology, you too, can transform your home into a functional space that’s future-ready and perfectly tailored to your lifestyle.

And there’s one key component you’ll need to tie it all up: Reliable connectivity. A strong broadband connection ensures that your devices stay seamlessly connected at all times, delivering the smart home experience you envision.

Ready to get started? Here are five essential steps to begin your smart home journey.

1. Start with smart essentials: Lighting and appliances

Introducing smart technology into your home doesn’t have to be complicated. Begin with simple yet impactful upgrades like smart bulbs and plugs, seamlessly integrated into your daily routines.

Start with LED smart bulbs featuring an E27 screw base, compatible with standard light sockets. These bulbs can be controlled individually or grouped by room, offering flexibility and convenience. Imagine dimming the lights for a cosy movie night or brightening your workspace, all from your smartphone.

For appliances, smart plugs are an excellent entry point. Choose models rated for Singapore’s 230V system to ensure safety and compatibility. Smart plugs allow you to control connected devices remotely, schedule operation times, and even monitor power usage to save energy.

These smart devices don’t just make life simpler, they also encourage energy efficiency and add a modern vibe to your home. With minor upgrades and a few taps on your smartphone, you can adjust lighting, temperature, and more, creating a functional space that adapts to your daily routines. Of course, the responsiveness of these devices depends on your internet connection – and a reliable broadband service such as StarHub’s will ensure your smart home responds instantly and seamlessly to your commands. 

2. Secure your space with smart technology

Home security is now more advanced with smart locks, video doorbells, and surveillance cameras. These tools provide real-time monitoring, instant alerts, and keyless entry for ultimate peace of mind, especially for young homeowners who travel frequently.

Smart security systems are not only practical – they also add a layer of sophistication to your home, blending technology with design. However, such security devices are only as reliable as your broadband connection. To ensure your home stays protected around the clock, you’ll want to eliminate any WiFi dead zones that could potentially compromise your security feed. This is where services like StarHub’s Hub Troopers make a difference. As part of StarHub’s free broadband installation, their experts ensure your WiFi is set up for optimal performance. They also provide WiFi coverage consultation, helping you eliminate dead zones and maintain a stable connection throughout your home, which is crucial to keep your security devices reliably connected.

3. Bring it all together with a smart hub

Central hubs like voice assistant devices are the linchpins of a smart home, allowing you to manage multiple devices effortlessly. Voice-activated commands mean you can play your favourite playlist, check the weather, or adjust your air conditioner without lifting a finger. Setting up your smart hub is crucial to get the most out of your connected home, and this starts with choosing the right equipment. StarHub’s all-inclusive broadband plans come with WiFi 6 or WiFi 7 mesh routers that optimise coverage to ensure responsiveness in every corner of your smart home.

By connecting all your smart devices to a dedicated smart homehub, you can streamline your routines and enjoy the convenience of a fully integrated setup. Think of the hub as your home’s command centre, coordinating everything from your morning wake-up routine to your evening security checks. While this central hub is a separate device designed to coordinate your smart gadgets, a reliable broadband connection ensures all devices work seamlessly together for a truly connected experience.

4. Power your smart home with reliable broadband

A stable, high-speed broadband connection is the backbone of any smart home. From streaming video feeds from security cameras to controlling multiple devices simultaneously, reliable connectivity is essential.

StarHub’s UltraSpeed Broadband plans, available in 5Gbps and 10Gbps options, are designed for homes with multiple connected devices. These plans, powered by StarHub’s UltraSpeed network (XGS-PON), ensure lag-free functionality even during peak usage times, making them ideal for future-proofing smart homes.

A typical smart home set-up might include streaming HD video, smart lights, a video doorbell and several smart plugs and appliances, and each device needs stable connectivity to respond quickly.

Not sure which broadband plan suits your needs? Take the guesswork out of choosing with StarHub’s broadband setup assist quiz available on their website to help you find the ideal plan to power your smart home.

5. Automate your lifestyle for a smarter tomorrow

Automation is the ultimate goal of a smart home. By integrating your devices through apps, you can create routines that make life easier – for instance, programming a “goodnight” mode that turns off lights, locks doors, and sets the air conditioning before you go to bed.

Stay supported: StarHub’s end-to-end services, including hassle-free installation by Hub Troopers, ensure a smooth transition to your smart home lifestyle.

The smart choice for your smart home

Setting up a connected home requires the right foundation, and here’s how StarHub Broadband can help you build a reliable automated space: 

• Reliable connectivity: UltraSpeed Broadband plans (5Gbps and 10Gbps) for uninterrupted connections.
• End-to-end support from consultation to installation: Hub Troopers for expert broadband installation and WiFi consultations.
• Tailored plans: All-inclusive broadband packages with compatible routers to suit different needs.
• Smart recommendations: Broadband recommendation tool to find the best plan for your smart home journey.

Find out how to keep your smart home running smoothly.