Connected Home

From video doorbells to voice-activated virtual assistants, advancing technology has reached every corner of the home. Embracing the swathe of “smart” devices that have hit the market in recent years will save you time and money (goodbye, excessive energy bills). “Lighting such as smart LED bulbs and strip lights make up almost 70 per cent of smart home purchases globally, followed by voice automated devices, then security systems,” says David Linehan, Home Automation Buyer at The Good Guys. But with so much on offer, where do you start? Here’s how to start creating a smart home.

No room at home to set up a productive home office? Then it’s time to section off space in your garage and equip it with the tech you need to succeed. Residential design specialist Bronwyn Aldridge says homeowners are increasingly looking to their garages to transform underutilised space into functional (and fancy!) real estate.

“Working or studying from home is a regular fixture in many people’s week, so they’re looking at their homes very differently,”  Bronwyn says. “If you’ve got a two-car garage and only one car, or a carport outside, it’s a no-brainer to use that extra space for a home office.”

Ready to kick your garage into high gear as a humming home office? Find helpful home office ideas in our ultimate home office set-up guide, then read on for everything you need to know about perfecting your Wi-Fi set-up, nailing your home office tech and furniture, and creating a space you’ll love spending time in.

Christmas is right around the corner, and there’s no better feeling than knowing you’ve nailed the perfect pressie. If you’re buying for someone who can’t get enough of all things tech, you can give the gift of a smarter home – think smart speakers, smart lighting, robot vacuums and even robot lawn mowers – and earn maximum brownie points! If you’re a gadget fan yourself, don’t hold back – it’s the season of giving, so go ahead and treat yourself!

Want more gift ideas? Check out our Christmas Hub for all your gift inspo!

Gone are the days when a fridge was simply a safe storage unit for your food, with the best smart fridges around, a fridge is now much more than this. 

In the world of home appliances, technology is everchanging and design is becoming more focussed around easing everyday tasks. This strategy has seen the development of fridge features like Wi-Fi connectability to check the contents of your fridge when you’re out and about, or a ‘knock twice’ feature on your fridge door to reveal the contents without affecting indoor temperatures and keep food fresher for longer.

With more and more fridge features regularly being created, it can be difficult to find the best smart fridge for you. So, we have come up with the ultimate guide to remove the tough work and ensure that you find the perfect addition to your kitchen.