8 Smart Home Ideas to Survive Working From Home

If you’re working from home like I am, you probably realize that it comes with a few distractions and challenges. In this video, I will show you smart office ideas to make working from home more comfortable. Everything in this video uses affordable smart home tech and is fairly simple to set up.

Here are the links to everything and set up instructions.

LINKS (affiliate):

HOW TO SET UP:

1: Red Light Means Stop!
I’m using really inexpensive Sylvania light strips that use Zigbee. I’m using these specifically because my automations run on SmartThings and they integrate well together.
You don’t have to use a button. You could use your phone, Alexa/Google Assistant to change the color and get the same results to let your family know you are busy.

2: Alexa Lectures Intruders
The way I’m doing this is if the light on the door is red, then a certain Virtual Switch is on in SmartThings. If the door is open when the Virtual Switch is also on then make Alexa talk.
You can use something like Echo Speaks to play a message on the Echo device.

3: Visual Visitor Alert

4: Getting Dressed Reminder
In SmartThings, have a Virtual Switch that gets turned off every night. Have the motion sensor or contact sensor turn on the Virtual Switch. If the Virtual Switch is still off by a certain time, have Alexa speak as explained in #2 on this list (Alexa Lectures Intruders).

5: Check on Family Quickly
I connected the Wyze skill in Alexa and say “show kitchen camera” if the Wyze Cam Pan was called “kitchen camera.” The same goes for showing it on the Google Home Hub.

6: Take a Break Alerts
For the open window alert, if you are using SmartThings there is a SmartApp called “Smart Windows.” It’s pretty easy to set up and get a push notification.
You could also use webCoRE which is slightly more advanced, but you can do both push notifications and have Alexa speak if you do it that way.

7: Creative Kid Distractions
In the Google Home app you can set up routines to have multiple voice commands give the same custom response.
The button is an Echo button which I don’t think they sell anymore but any button or voice command will work. It just starts an Alexa Routine and for the action, just scroll down to Sounds. Click on that and there’s an Animal option that you can select from a few different animal noises.

8: Motion Sensor Stops Laziness
You can set this up using SmartThings or an Alexa Routine. Just select no motion for a certain amount of time. You can have it only run during work hours as well.

If you have any questions, just ask them down in the comments.

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Disclaimer: Smart Home Solver’s opinions are 100% our own and not influenced. We have never been paid for any reviews.

[SmartHomeSolver]

Thanks for watching! I hope some of these ideas are helpful. It's great to use your smart home to be productive and have fun if you're stuck inside.

[TechWithBrett]

Your videos are just too good! Thanks for brightening my day.

[DangerRoss]

Great video! Love the use of clever ideas along with actual examples. The dry comedy is perfect—haha. Thanks for making relatable, creative and clear videos, Reed!

[robincobb]

I love how you got the entire family involved with your videos. Very well done!

[jfish]

Adorable and impressive setup. Not having a family of my own, I can't see myself setting up any of these, but it's encouraging to see someone putting so much care and meaning into their use of smart tech for their family. I love the way your mind works 😊

Also, great video editing and execution of your smart setups. Very seamless 👌🏼

[elishmuel]

02:26 That's the humour I was talking about in your "Motion Activated Light Strips" video! LOL Just awesome stuff. I took the plunge last week because of your videos.

[Iceblaze]

1:15

Reed - Hey

Daughter - I saw a butterfly in the back yard
😆😆😆

[asherjgriffin]

This is Brilliant. I use my Alexa for voice reminders instead of diary entries and finding it useful. Thanks

[TechTipsUSA]

make a smart HomeKit it should include
motion sensors
LED strips
an Echo Dot
and the big button on your desk

[HighTen_Melanie]

Hi Reed I love the coloured light system and noise cancelling headphones. I’m on lockdown here like much of the world, sending safe + good wishes to you and your family from Scotland, UK.

[TAKV_gaming]

Some of these ideas are awesome and we are thinking about some of them!

[TheChozenOneTV]

Thanks for the ideas! Stay safe and healthy as well!

[eddiesanchez]

Great Video !!! I always enjoy your videos... I love the idea of your lights in your office, lights up when your busy or not busy. Thats pretty cool.

[TAKV_gaming]

I LOVED the social distancing for Reed has been set from 6 feet to 12 feet

[TheBondsJamesBonds]

Watching this and seeing the same headphones I bought made me happy. Good choice ;)

[snowboardman]

This video actually made me giggle a little. Thank you and good ideas

[spiralmozfan]

This is awesome. I had to get a busy/status light at my home office as well. i gotta add more of the automations you described here.

[daverobinson]

Love your videos my friend, keep safe, from across the pond in the UK

[drbleachers]

Lots of great and useful information. New subscriber!

[heathercostello]

Need all of these!! For Joseph lol. Best work from home ideas ever!!