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Have you ever left the house in a hurry, and later wondered whether you accidentally left the door unlocked behind you? With so many things to juggle in life, it’s happened to us all.

That got us thinking – what if you never had to wonder whether your door was unlocked again? What if you could lock it from wherever you are? And wouldn’t you like to receive smartphone notifications whenever the lock is used, so you can keep track of who’s going in and out and when? 

So we designed the Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt so that users could have this functionality – if they want it. Smart lock beginners who want to benefit from the lock’s basic features can do that out of the box with just a smartphone, no need for a home automation system or other smart accessories.

However, if you’re looking for the convenience and peace of mind that comes with being able to access your lock from anywhere, there are multiple options available for doing this – and it’s easy to choose the right one for you.

Here are the basics:

Schlage Sense Wi-Fi Adapter option: Android smartphones + iOS

If you want to use both iOS and Android smartphones with your lock, you’ll want a Schlage Sense Wi-Fi Adapter.

The Adapter is a simple wall plug-in that connects your lock to your Wi-Fi network so you can lock and unlock it from anywhere and receive activity notifications. It’s easy to set up – plug it in within Bluetooth range of the lock (usually about 40 feet), and use the Schlage Sense app to connect the Adapter to your home Wi-Fi network and then pair it with your lock.

As long as your Adapter stays plugged into power, connected to Wi-Fi and within Bluetooth range of the lock, you’ll be able to access it using your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Android smartphone from anywhere.

Keep in mind that while the Schlage Sense Wi-Fi Adapter will work with your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, it does not work with Apple HomeKit and is not compatible with features like Siri or the Apple Home app.

Apple HomeKit option: iOS only

If you have an Apple TV or use primarily iOS devices in your household, you might prefer the Apple HomeKit setup option. If your lock is up to date with the latest firmware (use the Schlage Sense app to check for updates), it will ask you simple questions at setup to determine whether this Apple HomeKit option is best for you.

If you set up your lock with the Apple HomeKit option, you can pair your lock with your Apple TV and gain anywhere access using Apple HomeKit technology. You’ll still be able to control your lock and manage settings from anywhere with the Schlage Sense app, plus your lock will work in tandem with other HomeKit-enabled devices in your home through the Apple Home app. You’ll also be able to use Siri to lock and unlock your door, and will receive notifications when the lock is used (use the Schlage Sense app to manage your notification settings.)

Keep in mind that this option is intended for Apple HomeKit users and does not work with Android smartphones.

Here are the technical details:

You’ll need an Apple TV 3^rd or 4^th generation or an iPad with iOS 10.0 or higher. If you decide to use your iPad as your Apple HomeKit hub (a new functionality offered by Apple with iOS 10.0), the iPad must stay at home powered on and connected to Wi-Fi just as an Apple TV would be.

You’ll also want to make sure that the Apple TV/iPad is set up with the same iCloud and iTunes account information as your iPhone.

When you're within Bluetooth range of the lock, connect your lock with the app.

Tap “Begin Update” or go to Lock Settings > Information and tap the firmware version information to request an update.

The firmware will be updated over the next several minutes.

If the lock is currently set up with an iOS device, first delete the lock from the account by going to Lock Settings and tapping Delete Lock.

Then, use the Schlage Sense app to pair the lock again. If adding the lock from an iOS device, select “Explore Other Options” and then “Set up with Schlage system.”

A firmware update may be required, after which you will need to restart the “Add a lock” process and select the Schlage system.

Once setup is complete, the lock will be compatible with both Android smartphones and iOS devices and can be paired with the Schlage Sense™ Wi-Fi Adapter.

WD-40

There’s a reason dad always kept a can of WD-40 in the garage – it’s perfect for fixing squeaky hinges of all sorts. Rocket Chemical Company created WD-40 to prevent rusting on aerospace technology in the 1950s. “WD” stands for “water displacement,” and it took the three-person team who developed it 40 attempts before finalizing the formula, giving the product its name. Rocket employees started taking the solvent home and using it on a variety of household problems – from lubricating hinges to removing bugs from car windshields to removing road tar from cars. More than 75 years later, WD-40’s original formula still does the trick. Give your hinges some love by attaching the small straw to the canister spout for a more precise application, and enjoy your squeak-free door.

Household items

WD-40 isn’t the only option – there are other temporary fixes for your hinges. BrightNest has some great tips on household items that will fix a squeaky door.

• Bar soap - Just rub it on your hinges until they are coated.
• Petroleum jelly – Remove the pin from your hinge and cover it in petroleum jelly before reinserting.
• Paraffin candles – Remove the pin from your hinges and rub hot wax onto it before reinserting.
• Olive oil – Use a cotton swab to apply a little bit on top of your hinges.

When using these common households products, be sure to concentrate on the hinges and avoid getting it on your doors as much as possible.

New hinges

Chances are you probably haven’t thought much about the style or finish of your hinges, but it’s often the small details that make the biggest impact in tying a room together. Replacing your hinges serves a dual purpose: improve the functionality of your door while also adding beauty and consistency throughout your home. If you just updated your door hardware with Matte Black finishes, swapping your Bright Brass hinges for Matte Black is a small and simple project that makes a big difference. Schlage carries hinges in a variety of finishes to match any décor.

See how easy updating your hinges is in our step-by-step instructions. Or keep the squeak until after Halloween!

For other how-to tips and tricks and decorating ideas, visit our Pinterest page.

Fall is a time of transition that is marked by the changing colors in the leaves. One of the best ways to embrace this change is by updating some of the décor inside and outside your home.
 

Taking the time to clean off your front porch and refreshing it with a few accents like a seasonal wreath, potted plant and a gourd or two, will help you get in the fall spirit. While traditional fall décor often times comes in hues of orange, there are an abundance of color palette options available today. These are some of our favorites.

Purple

While the color purple easily finds its way into spring and summer blooms, it’s also a bold color that can be used to easily transition your front porch from summer to fall. It comes in a variety of shades and its cool and royal feel will leave your porch looking rustic and regal.

Sage

Though sage is a subdued hue, when it’s used in fall décor it can act as a neutral backdrop or an accent pop of color. Incorporating sage into your fall décor will leave your porch light and bright, while still on key with the season.

Brown

Brown may not be the first color you think of when you want to freshen up your front porch for fall. However, when used properly it can be both rustic and charming. Use dried corn stalks, wooden crates, brown leaf garland and wooden chalkboard signs to create a neutral monochromatic look that lets the brightly colored leaves pop.

Yellow

Welcome the fall season with a bright and cheery front porch by incorporating pops of yellow in your décor. From brightly colored mums and painted accents to the leaves falling from the trees in your yard, this golden hue is sure to warm up your porch as the temperatures cool down.

Red

Though Red is a shade found naturally throughout the fall season, it’s not necessarily a commonly used color in fall front porch décor as it typically takes a backseat to its sister shade of orange. Using apples, fabrics, florals and painted pumpkins, red can be the star of your fall front porch.

Black and white

Black and white are decorating classics. And with a season speckled in color, sometimes it’s the absence of color that makes a scene visually interesting. With white pumpkins, buffalo check rugs and iron accents, black and white can be a palette that works on any front porch.

Indigo and orange

Opposites attract. It’s a fact of life. Let your orange pumpkins and copper toned mums pop off a deeply indigo palette.

If you haven’t already heard, we recently updated our Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt with some exciting new capabilities. Not only does the lock work with both iOS and Android devices, there are also new options that make sharing access easier than ever. Using this smart lock is simple and convenient, from scheduling access codes so the babysitter can have access only when neededand  to making sure the neighbor can get in to water the plants while you’re on vacation. 

Best of all, sharing access with your smart lock is much safer and more secure than hiding or copying keys. You may even save money – you’ll never have to head to the hardware store to copy a key again. No more headaches trying to keep track of the keys you’ve handed out or worrying when one is lost or stolen, and no more keys weighing you down when you take your morning run. Adding an electronic lock to your home is definitely a lifestyle change – for the better.

Easy access for everyone

The Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt offers multiple ways to share access with those you trust - even if they don't have a smartphone to get in. The lock holds up to 30 access codes which are entered on the lock’s touchscreen, so you can create a personalized code for each person you’d like to allow into your home. The Schlage Sense app makes it easy to add codes in just a few taps, and keeping track of codes is simple because you can name each one according to who it was shared with – so Mom, Dad, and Uncle Jerry can all have their own codes. You can even use the app to send them their code via text or email.

To add new user codes through the Schlage Sense app:

Tap the “Users” icon in the bottom right of the screen.

Under the “Access Codes” tab tap the “+” in the upper right of the screen.

Enter a name and digits for the access code. Choose between granting All Day Access or schedule the code for a specific time period.

Tap “Save” in the upper right corner to save the code. You’ll be prompted to share the new access code with your guest through text or email.

Custom schedules

The Schlage Sense app gives you even more control over access sharing by allowing you to set schedules for each access code so they only work when you want them to. For example, if you want the babysitter to be able to use her code to enter your home only on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, you can do that. The rest of the week, the code won’t work – so you have greater control over who can access your home and when. It’s also easy to delete codes with the app when you no longer need them – much easier than tracking down a spare key or re-keying your lock because a key has been lost or stolen.

Here's how to schedule access codes for your Schlage Sense lock:
 

Tap the “Users” icon in the bottom right of the screen. Select an access code to manage or create a new one.
 

Under Access Schedule, tap the “All Day Access” slider off to make scheduling options appear.
 

Select one of the two available schedules to edit. Select the days and times that the access schedule will allow or deny access to that code. Tap Save.

Virtual keys

If your guest has a smartphone, you can send them a virtual key through the cloud from wherever you are – even if you don’t have the lock set up for remote access (Learn how to enable remote access for your lock here). Virtual keys are like electronic credentials. Your guest will receive a secure link that expires within 24 hours and leads them to the Schlage Sense app where their virtual key is accepted. When they arrive at the door with their Bluetooth® enabled smartphone, the lock will recognize their secure credentials and allow access. Thanks to the Bluetooth connection between the lock and their phone, they’ll be able to unlock the door right then and there using the Schlage Sense app.

*It's important to note that virtual keys will not work with locks set up using the HomeKit option. If you'd like to take advantage of virtual keys, you will need to reset your lock to factory settings and re-pair it using the Schlage system setup. See our FAQs for Schlage Sense for more information.

Here's how to send virtual keys:
 

Open the app and select the lock the invite will be for. Tap the “Users” icon on the bottom right of the screen.
 

Tap “Virtual Keys.”

Enter name of invited user and indicate whether you’d like to provide Admin access or Guest access (recommended).

Select a method to send the invite – email, text, etc. The invitation will be available for 24 hours before it expires. When the user is near the lock with Bluetooth turned on, they will be able to use the Schlage Sense app on their smartphone to lock or unlock the deadbolt.

Lock history

Another very cool feature offered by the Schlage Sense app is the lock history, which you can tap to view a log of the last 100 times the lock was used. The history will tell you whether the lock was accessed manually with an access code (and show you which access code it was, so you always know what time the kids got home) or unlocked using the smartphone app.

The great thing about all of these features is that they aren’t just convenient – they offer you a lot of peace of mind when it comes to protecting your home, your possessions and, most importantly, your family.

Questions or comments about the Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt? Ask away on our Facebook or Twitter page.

Creating a beautiful home requires hundreds of decisions. Flooring, paint, furniture, décor, curtains, wall hangings, lighting – the list goes on and on. Door hardware is probably pretty low on your list of priorities. You might be burnt out from making all of the other décor decisions by the time you get to deciding between levers and knobs and trims and finishes. But door hardware is a finishing touch that is instrumental in tying a house together. Like flooring or trim, you want your door hardware to match throughout your house and fit well with your overall décor theme. So how do you know what will be right for your home?
 

Matte Black is one of the most popular hardware finishes right now. It’s sleek, modern and can fit into almost any home. But how do you know if it’s right for you and your house? We talked to Ted Roberts, the Style and Design Chief at Allegion, Schlage’s parent company. Who better to talk to about what finish will fit into your home than the design leader in charge of keeping up with new trends and styles? Ted told us how Schlage gets inspiration for products, why Matte Black is so popular and how he would style with Matte Black.

Q&A with Ted Roberts

What sets Schlage apart as a style leader?

Walter Schlage’s first patent was in 1909, and he founded the company in 1920, so Schlage has more that 95 years of experience and has seen styles come and go first-hand. The industry is changing with the advent of new technologies and that brings new challenges when determining door hardware’s design and usability. Schlage has the background and experience to tackle these challenges that have never been addressed before.

Where does Schlage get style inspiration?

The industrial design team goes to stores, trade shows and furniture shows to see what is currently popular in the market and what is about to come to market. They also look into cultural trends. What’s happening in movies, TV shows, fashion and auto industries to see what styles are developing.

Matte Black

Why do you think Matte Black is so popular right now?

Matte Black is a highly versatile finish. There are a number of styles, both architectural and home décor, that it works well with. The finish also has a direct tie to technology, which is becoming more integrated with traditional products. For years, technology was black and furniture was not. Matte Black can help blend the two worlds.

How should someone style around Matte Black hardware?

Matte Black works with a variety of colors. If you are planning on using Matte Black hardware, keep in mind that if you have dark paint or furniture, a room can get very dark, very quickly, and you’ll find yourself living in a cave.

But if that’s what you’re looking for. Go for it!

What should you avoid with Matte Black?

Avoid making a room too dark. Dark walls, floors, or cabinets paired with Matte Black can start to make things feel a little cramped.

Bigger rooms and rooms with a lot of windows can sometimes get away with this.

Also watch out when combining blacks. Sometimes black paints have tints or undertones that make it a little more red or blue. It is a very subtle difference that you might not normally notice, but if you put a Matte Black doorknob on a black door with red undertones, you will probably notice.

Next time you are in the market for new door hardware, and don’t already have black doors or dark rooms, keep your eyes out for Matte Black. It will bring a sleek, modern look to your whole house. If you’re convinced you need Matte Black hardware or you want to learn more, check out all of your options.

Looking for more style information and inspiration? Check out our Pinterest page!

Electronic locks have been around for a long time, but there are still many homeowners who haven’t given them a try yet. After all, there are a lot of questions to be answered – how difficult is installation? What happens if the power goes out? Will the lock work with other technology you have in the home, or maybe even your smartphone?

Easy installation

The good news is that the answers to these questions are simpler than you think! Take our latest smart lock, for example: the Schlage Sense™ Smart Deadbolt. Because the lock runs on batteries, it’s easy to install yourself in just a few minutes with no hardwiring – all you need is a screwdriver. We’ve even included a special patented feature called Snap ‘n Stay that holds the deadbolt to the door while you reach for your screwdriver, so it’s truly a one-person job.

Instructions for installation are included in packaging, as always, but we’ve also put together an instructional video so you can see exactly how it’s done. As you’ll see in the video, with no hardwiring into your home’s electrical system, if the power goes out at home it’s no problem – you can still enter your access code on the touchscreen to gain access to your home. 

A smart lock for the whole family

The Schlage Sense lock was also designed to make life easier by working with both Android smartphones and iOS devices, pairing with them over Bluetooth just like you’d pair your phone with your car. Getting your lock paired with your phone is easy – just download the Schlage Sense app from the App Store or the Google Play Store. The app will walk you through the pairing process, so there’s no guesswork.

Remote access

What if you were able to access your front door lock through an app when you’re away from home? This is actually very simple to do, and can make life so much easier – imagine no more worrying about whether the kids have lost the house key, or hiding a spare under a rock and hoping the right person gets to it before anyone else can. Just grab our new Schlage Sense™ Wi-Fi Adapter (sold separately so existing Schlage Sense lock users can pick one up without buying a new lock!) and plug it into a power outlet near your lock. Connect the Adapter to your home Wi-Fi network, and ta-da! Anywhere access directly from your smartphone to your lock – without an existing smart home or alarm system or any subscription fees. Plus, the Schlage Sense app will walk you through the entire process step by step, so you don’t have to worry about a frustrating or complicated setup process.

Home automation integrations

How about using the lock with other technologies? We’ve all heard about the rising popularity of smart home gadgets, but figuring out which ones work together can be a headache. The Schlage Sense lock makes it easy by guiding you to the right choice for your home during initial setup, depending on whether or not you are an Apple HomeKit user.

If you love Apple products and have opted primarily for HomeKit-enabled smart devices in your home, you’ll be guided to use the HomeKit setup option. The HomeKit setup option allows you to set up anywhere access through your Apple TV, similar to the Wi-Fi Adapter, and allows you to control your lock alongside your other HomeKit-enabled devices within the Apple Home app. However, this setup option really is ideal for HomeKit users because it will only work with iOS devices and will not pair with Android smartphones or with the Schlage Sense Wi-Fi Adapter. If you prefer to be able to use Android smartphones with your lock, or you aren’t interested in an Apple HomeKit-centered experience, the app will guide you to the setup option which works with both iOS and Android smartphones, and allows you to pair the lock with the Wi-Fi Adapter.

What happens when you want to get a smart lock?

Some smart locks only support one smartphone platform, so how do you choose? Does only half of the family get to have smartphone access? Who gets to decide which family members get to use their phone and the ones who can only use access codes?

With Schlage, you don’t have to choose. The Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt is compatible with both iOS and Android smartphones so everyone recieves full access. The Schlage Sense app is now available on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store so your entire family can lock and unlock the front door from their phones.

Wi-Fi Adapter

The Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt provides multiple ways to access your home. It stores up to 30 access codes, uses Bluetooth to communicate with your smartphone and has a physical key. But what if you’re away from home? With the Schlage Sense Wi-Fi Adapter*, Android and iOS smartphones can control the smart lock and receive notifications of all smart lock activity. Before the adapter, remote access was only available for iOS users through Apple HomeKit. Now, no matter where you are, you can be notified when anyone from your children to the dog walker accesses your home.

The Schlage Sense Wi-Fi Adapter works with both iOS and Android smartphones. Simply plug it into an outlet and use the Schlage Sense app to pair the adapter to your smart lock and connect to your Wi-Fi network. It only takes a moment and utilizes the same app you used to install the smart lock.

Along with notifications, the adapter allows you to lock and unlock your Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt from anywhere. Now you can check to see if you remembered to lock your door, or let someone in without having to send them an access code.

Discover all of the features available with the free Schlage Sense app by downloading it now from the App Store or Google Play Store.

*The Wi-Fi Adapter is not compatible with Apple HomeKit

Smart locks are the perfect way to add a little more convenience and security to your home. With a smart lock from Schlage, you can choose to enter your home with a custom code you define, a mechanical key or your phone (depending on the lock you choose).

Installing a new smart lock is a project that any skill-level can take on with just a screwdriver and a few minutes out of your day. Before you get started, it's important to note these five things to ensure the installation goes as smoothly as possible.

Download the app

If you are installing the Schlage Sense^TM Smart Deadbolt, be sure to download the free, Schlage Sense^TM app before you begin installing your lock. The app has great step-by-step instructions so you can quickly install the lock and pair your smartphone seamlessly. You can also access other valuable information and helpful resources that allow you to take advantage of all the lock's capabilities and future updates.

Before you download, make sure your smartphone is up-to-date with the latest software version. You can check this by accessing your phone's settings and looking under "General" or "About".

Make sure your door is properly aligned

Because the bolt on your smart lock is extended automatically, it's important that the door and jamb are properly aligned. You can check this by testing your current lock. You'll want to answer yes to each of these questions:

• Can you lock your door without pushing, pulling or lifting the door?
• Does your door alignment stay the same no matter how hot or cold the weather may get?
• When the door is closed, is there space for the deadbolt to extend 1" into the frame when locked?

Check your door measurements

All of Schlage's smart locks are designed to fit any standard, pre-drilled door. To double-check that your door will be compatible, you can find a quick look at standard door dimensions for deadbolt installation here. If your door is thicker than the standard 1-3/4", you may need to purchase a thick door kit which will extend the lock's capabilities to 2-1/4". You can contact our customer support team at 888.805.9837 for assistance.

Wait to install the batteries

To make sure your lock is properly paired to any smart hubs or phones, it's best to wait to install the batteries when instructed to do so. This ensures that nothing interferes with the auto-handing process of the lock and properly initiates the setup sequence that is needed after the lock is installed. If you do make a mistake or miss a step, you can simply perform a factory reset to start over.

Choose a coordinating handleset

Don't forget to complete the look by pairing a coordinating handleset, knob or lever. You'll need to consider which function will work best with your lifestyle. Do you want to make sure you can easily come and go without a mechanical key? Choose a Hall & Closet (Passage) function so you're never accidentally locked out. Keep in mind that if you keep a keyed knob or lever, you'll still have to manage mutliple mechanical keys for household members and guests. For handlesets, we offer a lower half, front entry handle that easily suites with the style of your smart lock.

1. Go for bright hues

Crisp white walls and a lemon-yellow door create a fresh entrance to a modern farmhouse-style home. Containers stay clean and green with feathery asparagus fern, chartreuse coral bells (Heuchera), and a mix of golden-yellow and dusty-blue ghost plants (Graptopetalum). Deepen the colors for fall by hanging a wreath rich in plum, bronze and gray-green.

Here, burgundy Leucadendron foliage mixes with orange echeveria flowers and clusters of persimmons. At the base of the wreath, two gnarled ‘Buddha’s Hand’ citrons pick up the door’s yellow paint.

2. Embrace natural country style

For a house with wood siding, all that’s needed to create a festive fall display is a pair of jewel-toned wreaths, along with one perfect pumpkin. With such limited decoration on the home, one’s eye is drawn to the surrounding garden’s seasonal changes, including the fern fronds turning bronze at the base of the house, and the canopies of golden leaves beyond.

3. Plant a vine for fall color

If your entryway has an overhang, create a stunning entrance with a vine selected for its autumn leaf display. This rambling specimen of California wild grape (Vitis californica‘Roger’s Red’) planted over a doorway turns a brilliant shade of red by midautumn and provides decorative little clusters of grapes for wild birds. In summer, the leaves (still green) provide a natural shade canopy for the front door.

Other vines with a dramatic fall display include black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata), Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) and American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens). Note: Be sure to look for true American bittersweet, rather than look-alike Oriental bittersweet (C. orbiculatus), which can be invasive. Both species are toxic.

4. Transition summer containers

There’s no need to completely rework your summer containers to give them fall flair. Replace tired-looking warm-season annuals with richly colored fall perennials, such as bronze- and golden-leaved coral bells (Heuchera), and rust-colored autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora).

Even easier than planting: Simply add a pumpkin for an instant fall container update. ‘Fairytale’ pumpkins (Cucurbita moschata ‘Fairytale’) are particularly stunning with their unusual squat shapes and eye-catching striations.

5. Keep it minimal

A single pumpkin placed by the entryway to this Southwest-style home nods to the season while keeping the decor understated. To re-create this minimalistic style, choose a single element to represent autumn — perhaps a bronze jug filled with branches, a crookneck gourd or a bundle of dried wheat — and display it where it can be appreciated for its simplicity.

6. Hang a wreath

If you do nothing else this season, pick up a simple fall wreath and tie it on your front door with a decorative bow for a quick upgrade. Here, a ring of whimsical berries stands out against a charcoal door. Wreaths of artificial berries, preserved leaves or dried fall fruits can be used year after year for fall decor.

If you’re feeling a bit more creative, make a wreath with elements foraged from the garden or purchased at your local floral shop.

7. Set out potted flowers for instant color

By late August, nurseries are stocked with containers brimming with fall-blooming perennials with flowers in gold, orange, red and deep purple. Chrysanthemums, perhaps the season’s most popular bloomer, keep pumping out flowers for months. To brighten your entryway, pick up potted bedding mums, then place the containers where they’ll receive at least a half-day of sun.

Once blooms begin to fade, bedding mums can be planted in the garden for color year after year. ‘Fireworks’ wrinkleleaf goldenrod (Solidago rugosa‘Fireworks’) lines the driveway.

8. Use dried foliage for lasting outdoor bouquets

Flanking a grand entrance of a traditional home, urns brimming with dried foliage lend seasonal interest with minimal effort. If kept out of the elements, dried foliage, seedpods and grasses can be used again and again to create an autumn display. Choose ingredients for your dried bouquet that pick up the paint color of your door or walkway for an integrated look.

To preserve your own garden’s foliage, clip stems of perennial seed heads and ornamental grasses, then hang them upside down to dry. Keep in mind that most untreated, naturally dried leaves and berries will lose their color.

9. Celebrate the harvest

For a rustic farm look, gather a bushel or two of dried cornstalks (available at garden and feed stores), tie them with thick ribbon or jute cord, then lean them by the front door. To really play up the farm feeling, add a pitchfork, wooden rake or other garden tools.

10. Add baskets

Don’t wait until Halloween night to set out baskets on the front porch. Throughout the fall, baskets can offer rich texture and act as vessels for displaying natural elements like pumpkins, squashes, Indian corn or colorful fall leaves found around the garden.

On Oct. 31, use the ingredients you’ve collected to decorate your doorway, and fill the baskets with candy for eager trick-or-treaters.

Within several hours, it’s possible to renovate your house or apartment into a smart home - one that pulls from the latest technology to make your space more efficient, secure, convenient or just more entertaining to hang out in.

Smart home technology is quickly becoming the next renovation project homeowners are adding to their to-do lists. With many of the devices ranging from $75 to $200 and falling into the Easy DIY-category, apartment dwellers also are starting to embrace smart home technology as a way to quickly update their living spaces. An added bonus? Many smart home products can be uninstalled and packed up with the next move.
 

Advantages cited by smart home residents

Drop the need for keys

With keyless entry systems, you no longer have to worry about misplacing keys. Assign each person a unique access code for entry; it’s easy to know when someone has made it home because the data is sent to your smartphone. And if an unexpected visitor arrives, you can remotely let them in with your smartphone while you’re stuck in traffic.

Cut the energy bills

Smart home thermostats automatically cut down the heat when outdoor temperatures rise, while irrigation systems water your lawn only when Mother Nature decides to take a break.

Light the way

Based on your preferences, smart lighting systems can be installed to turn on as you enter a room and turn off when you leave. You can also use your smartphone to control all the lights throughout your home, whether you’re in the bedroom or hundreds of miles away.

While these are among the most common smart home applications, innovations also have led the way to refrigerators that text you with selfies of their contents, beds that make themselves, and smart toilets that give you a warm seat on cold days.

You may not be quite ready to take a leap toward warm toilet seats, but you can take on several projects to get a head start on transforming your home into a smarter home.
 

3 steps to building a smart home

1. Understand the basics.

As with any new innovation, there typically is a slow rate of adoption until people become more familiar with the product. That was the case with the smartphone which first came on the market in 1994 as the IBM Simon Personal Communicator. Priced at about $900 with a two-year contract and weighing in at slightly over a pound, it’s no wonder only about 50,000 were sold in that first wave. About 77 percent of Americans now own a smartphone -- up from only 35 percent in 2011, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center. For many of those owners, the survey revealed, it’s now “something they can’t live without.”

Today, the smartphone has been paving the way toward the significantly quicker adoption of smart home technology, especially since it is considered a key component of how a smart home operates. By 2019, about two-thirds of Americans say they expect to have at least one smart home product in their homes, according to a recent survey by the Acquity Group. So, how does the smartphone (and tablets, laptops and computers) figure into the operation of a smart home? Good question.

Here’s one example. The latest smart locks are Bluetooth®-enabled so you can control and program the lock through a simple app on your smartphone. With the click of a button, you can unlock the door or create a new personalized code to share witha trusted friend or service professional, allowing them to access the home without interrupting your day.

In addition to smart locks, your smart home can have lighting systems that automatically turn on and off, surveillance cameras that keep an eye on things, and thermostats that adjust temperatures depending upon how hot and cold it is outside. All these functions, including many others, also can be controlled remotely through your smartphone, tablet or laptop.

2. Do your research

While many smart home products can be installed within minutes (yes, minutes), it’s best to research the products available to customize a smart home designed with your priorities in mind. It’s also important to determine if there are products you may want to purchase in the future. By doing so, you can come up with an integrated plan that meets your needs and desires.

Determine what you and the other people in your household want. More security? Lower electric bills? Safety measures for young children or elderly relatives? More conveniences? Or a more dynamic space for entertaining friends? Maybe it’s as simple as not dealing with your teenager losing the keys to the house. Again. As it turns out, there’s a smart home plan to meet all of those objectives, while staying within your budget. Here are a few examples of what you can accomplish:

• Energy-efficient smart home: With a smart thermostat and smart irrigation systems, you can lower bills by using power and water only when you need it. These products automatically adjust to weather patterns or your preferences.

• Convenient smart home: Install smart keyless door systems, blinds, lighting systems and motion sensors that will make daily routines simpler. With a click of a button, you can get the coffee going in the morning or the blinds shut, the doors locked, the alarm activated and the lights turned off at night. All from the comfort of your bed.

• Safe smart home: Your home can be set up with smart cameras, motion sensors and keyless door systems so that you can keep an eye out for the safety of family members. You can also install smart carbon dioxide and smoke detectors that send messages to your smartphone when something is awry.

• Entertaining smart home: If you like the idea of staying at home for movie night, install a smart entertainment system along with smart lighting that pulsates and lights up the room with color along with the action scenes. Your smartphone doubles as the remote control. Your home also can be set up to play your favorite tunes in different parts of the home as you enter a room.

As part of your transition to a smart home, gauge your level of comfort with the technology. For example, if you have an automated garage with a keypad, it may not be a huge transition to install a keyless lock that allows you to enter with a code. A smart thermostat that automatically adjusts temperatures may be equally appealing for a first try. You may decide that you’re ready to take the plunge into all the main components a smart home can offer, including technology that gradually determines your living pattern and adjusts accordingly.

With either approach, it’s important to select products that can effortlessly interact with each other through one central Wi-Fi controlled hub that acts as the brain of it all. You can purchase a hub that works with all your smart home devices. Some companies like AT&T, Xfinity and Vivint offer home automation packages that include a monthly maintenance fee to ensure the products work together. 

3. Installing and connecting it all

With many of the latest smart home products, DIY installation ranges from ridiculously simple to moderately simple. And installation time can be quick. That new smart lock? Under 15 minutes to install. Smarter thermostat? Home surveillance? Automated lights? Energy-efficient outlets? All about the same – 15 to 30 minutes each with common tools like screwdrivers.

Of course, some smart home products are more complex, and may take longer to install or require the assistance of a professional with experience in the industry. Even with DIY-products, you may feel more secure hiring an expert to help with installation as well as the operation of the system.

According to a poll conducted by Harris Poll and Lowe’s, 50 percent of Americans would prefer to install smart home products themselves with no monthly fees. About 21 percent said they would opt for a professional to install their smart home systems and pay a monthly maintenance fee.
 

Smart homes in 2022

With innovations for the smarter home moving at a record pace, futurists and other industry experts are predicting that a significant number of Americans will transform their homes at a record pace. According to the research firm Gartner, the average American household will own 500 smart home or connected devices by 2022.

If you’re already using your smartphone as an integral part of your day-to-day routines, a smart home could become another component of your lifestyle you can’t live without.