Since the kitchen is the hub of your home, it only makes sense that adding a little technology can make life run more smoothly. Today we discuss ways that tech can be added during your next kitchen remodel.
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Technology is finding its way into every aspect of our lives, and your home is no exception, so June is technology month here at Practical Home. Last week we discussed 10 Easy Ways Tech Can Help in Your Kitchen. There you can find tech that you can add today, without a lot of work, to make life in the kitchen a little easier. This week we will discuss ways that tech can be incorporated into your kitchen, but may take a little more effort. These may be best to add in your next kitchen remodel.
Charging Station
Automatic Pop Up Outlet Surge Protector Retractable Hidden Recessed Power Strip Power Socket with Wireless Charger
Is your kitchen island the place where everyone hangs out? Does it double as a place for homework or as a home office? If so, this little device might be a worthy addition. This wireless charger is installed flush into your kitchen countertop. You simply place your compatible devices on top to charge. If you have a laptop or other device that needs an outlet, this pops up to access standard outlets, USB, DHMI, and RJ45 ports.
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Lighting
Lighting is probably the most often automated system in the home because it is fairly easy to do and is so helpful. We already covered easy ways that you can incorporate smart lighting in our previous post, but if you are doing a remodel anyway, upgrading the fixture itself can make all the difference.
Recessed lighting
This lighting kit upgrades all of your recessed lighting to smart fixtures. Using a hub and smart device, you can change your lighting temperature or color, and even dim the lights, all with your voice.
Under Cabinet Lighting
Gone are the old puck lights that you had to switch on individually. Add these strip lights under your upper cabinets for customizable task and ambient lighting. Like most smart lights, you can easily change the color or dim using Amazon Echo. Use these to set the mood or as a night light for late night snacks.
Light Fixtures
Even light fixtures are becoming smart. More and more decorative fixtures are incorporating smart technology. This allows you to control them with a smart device or smartphone without needing to install special switches or bulbs.
Light Switches
When you can’t find a smart fixture you like, you can control any fixture by installing these smart switches. They, not only, allow you to turn off and on the light, but also to set a timer. Dimmable smart switches are also available here.
Blinds
Is that blind over the sink window a little hard to reach? Want your blinds to be open for breakfast, but closed at night? Operate and set schedules from your smartphone or add a bridge to control them using your smart device like Amazon Echo. You can even set a desired room temperature and it will automatically adjust the blinds. A big help to reduce your home energy consumption.
Safety, Speaker, and Alexa in One
This little gadget wraps a whole lot of function into one small package. It combines your smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, speaker, and Amazon Echo into one unit. Not only will it sound an alarm if smoke or carbon monoxide is detected, it will sent a notification to your phone so you are aware of any issues while you are away.
It also has Amazon Alexa built in, so you can ask it the weather or to play your favorite music without having a separate device cluttering your countertop. If you only could incorporate one device in your remodel, this should be it.
Built-In Vacuum
This little gadget isn’t connected to a smart device, but it is smart none the less. This vacuum installs into the toe kick of your base cabinet and allows you to easily vacuum debris after you have swept your floor without having to drag out the dust pan. A great alternative if you prefer to sweep yourself instead letting a robot do the job.
Connected Appliances
Smart appliances are here and are one of the best ways to make your kitchen work for you. This Samsung refrigerator has a built in Family Hub that you can control by voice. You can use it to add to your shopping list, get notified if food is expiring, view calendars, leave notes, and order food. The refrigerator even has 3 cameras so you can check contents from the grocery store.
When it comes to cooking though, a smart series that works together, might be your best option. GE has come out with a WiFi Connect series of appliances that allows you to control basic functions from your phone or using a smart device like Amazon Echo.
With this range and connected app, you can preheat the oven before you get home, check or change the temperature or timers from another room, get notifications when your timer is finished, and turn off the oven. It will even talk to your Chef Connect microwave range hood to automatically turn on the vent and light when your burners are turned on.
This smart dishwasher lets you know if the kids actually started the dishes. The same GE Appliances Kitchen App lets you monitor the cycle and time, alerts you to performance issues, let you know if you are running low on rinse agent, and alerts you if you ever spring a leak. The app will even track how many cleaning tablets you have used and place a order for more when you are running low.
GE also offers a Kitchen Hub that doubles as a vent hood. It mounts above your range and serves as command central. You can access recipes, control your oven with your voice, check your calendar, and manage other smart home devices, like a connected coffee maker and home lighting. It also accesses your favorite entertainment apps and allows video chat so you can call your mother for help on your favorite childhood recipe.
We have listed all of the GE WiFi Connect products below so that you can find the products that work best in your space.
GE WiFi Connect Series Model Numbers
Click on the links provided for model information. Please note that the letters after the number dictates color. Therefore, all models with the same beginning letters and numbers will have the same features.
As you can see, there is a huge benefit to incorporating technology into your next kitchen remodel. Not only can you operate a lot of items hands free, but they improve your ability to multitask, therefore saving you precious time. Now, if Alexa just did the dishes.
What items are you excited to incorporate? Is there something cool that we missed? We would love to hear from you.
Join us next week when we continue our tech month with Technology in Your Bathroom.
RELATED READING:
10 Easy Ways Tech Can Help in Your Kitchen
Starting Your Project Part 1: Budget
Starting Your Project Part 3: Inspiration
Practical Home Design 
Nice post!
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