He doesn’t need another tie and he certainly has plenty of socks. With Father’s Day just around the corner, give Dad something he actually wants: high-tech toys. The good news is that if he’s like most dads, he’s totally into electronics. With that in mind, and with the popularity of smart homes on the rise, how about a gift that he’ll not only love but that will make his life easier?

Many smart home devices – lights, locks, thermostats – require some kind of home automation hub or other device to connect it to your internet. We’ll get to those lights and such in a minute, but first, the hubs that help make the magic happen.

Smart home hubs for your smart guy

Apple TV^®

Apple TV is a great, all-in-one gadget for any tech dad’s home. It’s TV customized to him and the family. The Apple TV app lets Dad watch whatever he wants – HBO Max, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple Originals – whenever he wants. He can listen to music, work out at home, use Siri and play games, too. And when top-notch quality with the latest bells and whistles is important to him, be sure to check out the Apple TV 4K.

Apple TV also connects with HomeKit^®, giving remote access to compatible devices, including the Schlage Sense^® Smart Deadbolt. You – or Dad – can create custom scenes to control your home’s settings, like locking the door at a certain time every night. And if you have other compatible smart home devices, those custom scenes can include things like turning your thermostat down when you leave for work in the morning and back up before you get home.

Samsung SmartThings^®

If you think Dad is going to love customizing everything, SmartThings might be exactly what he’s hoping for. Not only can you set routines (similar to Apple TV’s scenes), you can use the SmartThings app to create even more customizable scenarios, like Smart Away that uses Caséta by Lutron to randomly turn lights on and off when you’re not home. Of course, there’s remote access through the app and compatibility with so many other devices, ranging from Samsung appliances and the Schlage Connect^® Smart Deadbolt to garage doors and home entertainment systems.

Ring Alarm

The Ring Alarm Base Station works on a Z-Wave mesh network, meaning it can serve as a hub for the Z-Wave-certified Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt. Syncing your compatible Schlage Connect lock and the Ring Alarm improves your home’s security and lets Dad control the lock from the Ring App. Plus, Ring Alarm is also compatible with other in-home devices – smoke detectors, flood sensors, motion detectors – so he can customize and play tech wizard to his heart’s content.

Another option could be the Ring Video Doorbell paired with the Schlage Encode™ Smart WiFi Deadbolt. The Schlage Encode lock features built-in WiFi, so technically the video doorbell doesn’t serve as a hub. But the two make a perfect combination, letting you see who’s at the door and unlocking it remotely for trusted visitors.

Schlage is constantly adding partners that work with our smart locks. For an up-to-date list of compatible smart home hubs, security systems and access management systems, visit our Works With page.

Smart devices for dad

Smart locks

Schlage has locks that work with all three of the smart home hubs we mentioned earlier. But if Dad wants a smart lock without the extra step of a hub, choose the Schlage Encode deadbolt with built-in WiFi. No additional hubs or accessories are required for remote access, and you still get to enjoy compatibility with other smart devices, not to mention voice control with Alexa and Google Assistant.

Give your dad the gift of going keyless for Father’s Day. Now he will never have to worry about losing his keys or wonder if he locked the door before going to bed. If he goes for a run or tackles an outdoor DIY project, he can still lock up the house without being weighed down by keys. He’ll be able to control the lock through his phone from anywhere and, maybe most importantly for that high-tech guy, look really cool doing it.

Amazon Alexa

It seems that most homes have at least one Alexa-enabled device, such as the Amazon Echo and Dot, these days. While you may already know that they have voice-controlled speakers that act as your own personal assistant, there are always new requests to make and automations to set up. Need a reminder to water the lawn? Just ask Alexa to add it to your schedule. Running low on dad jokes? Alexa can provide some new material. Need to reorder batteries, request an Uber or order Dominos? Alexa can do that for you, too.

Alexa is also compatible with many smart home devices including Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt, when paired with a compatible hub, Schlage Sense locks or the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt. When you’re ready for bed, ask Alexa to turn off the lights and lock your front door. If Dad is always hot but hates getting up to adjust the thermostat constantly, he can ask Alexa to do it for him. Think of all the things Dad can do with voice control and automation so he can focus on family fun.

Lights

The Philips Hue lights are energy-efficient LED lights that offer a completely new lighting experience. These lights let you or your special dad dude customize the look and feel of your home. Change the shade and intensity of your lights, even syncing them with your TV shows and games, automate them to run whether or not you’re home, or use ambience settings to help everyone sleep better. Dad could even set them to a certain color when he is in “do not disturb” mode, especially important if he’s working from home … or watching the big game.

Thermostat

Smart thermostats might not sound super glamorous, but they could still be the perfect gadget for your dad this Father’s Day. After all, he’s not paying to cool the whole neighborhood! For the patriarch who watches the budget and the environment, try something like the Honeywell Home WiFi Smart Color Thermostat. Fully customizable schedules for each day of the week, remote control via a smartphone app and even smart response technology, which automatically adapts to your schedule and learns your preferences, make this an appealing gift.

We know your dad is special and he deserves a gift that’s as unique as he is. Find more suggestions – more technology, tools, books and even a few ideas for pet papas – at the Schlage Gift Guides.

Get the lived-in look

One of the biggest deterrents to thieves is human activity. If it looks like you’re home, most intruders will go elsewhere. These smart devices can give your home that lived-in look, even when you’re chilling on the beach.

Lights

A house that’s perpetually dark – or with too many lights on in the middle of the day – can signal that the house is empty. Smart bulbs or lamps plugged in to a smart outlet can help. Some allow you to set a timer to turn lights on and off at certain times of the day, while others will do so randomly. For external lighting, you might add motion sensors. Someone lurking will often turn the other direction in a hurry when startled by an unexpected light.

Sounds

Noise coming from the house can have the same effect as lights. You could have Alexa play music periodically to make it sound as if you’re having a great party. There are also playlists available with everyday sounds – pots and pans banging while cooking, dogs barking, TV show dialogue – you can use.

Sprinklers

Dead grass could be a dead giveaway that you’ve left town for a few weeks. Make it look like you’re still around, tending your garden, with a smart irrigation system. Many of them you can set and forget, such as by putting them on a timer. Others, when connected to your home network or smart hub, can adjust based on local weather reports, only watering when the lawn needs it and not right before it rains.

Lawnmower

Overgrown grass can have the same ill effects as a brown lawn. A smart mower like WORX Landroid can help. If you’re worried about keeping the mower locked up while you’re out of town, though, you might just pay the neighbor kid to do your landscaping for you.

Enjoy peace of mind

Keep an eye on things even while you’re away. It’ll be much easier to relax and unwind when you trust that everything is as it should be back home.

Smart lock

You’re at the airport and you’ve checked that you have your passport for the 100th time, your phone is fully charged, you have a full stash of beach reads … but did you lock the door when you left home? With a connected smart lock like Schlage Encode™ Smart WiFi Deadbolt, you can check from anywhere using a compatible app. And if you did forget, no worries. Simply use the same app to lock the door and go catch your flight.

Maybe you’ve left a pet at home or are worried about your beloved new houseplants surviving while you’re away. Create a unique access code for a pet sitter or plant waterer. There’s no need to exchange a key and you can see when they’ve used their code. You’ll have better peace of mind knowing everyone is taken care of.

Video doorbell

One of the many great things about the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt is that it works with the Ring Video Doorbell. All from one app, you can see who’s on your porch, speak to them and unlock the door if you need. Again, it’s a great way to provide easy and secure access to a house sitter or see if someone is poking their nose around things when they shouldn’t be.

Furbo

We love the idea of a pet camera, especially for those short trips. Our cats are pretty self-sufficient, so they’re fine while we leave for the weekend. But we still like to see and talk to them. Regardless of how long you’re away, treat yourself and your pet with the comfort of this technology.

Robot vacuum

This is admittedly less about home safety and more about mental sanity. Come home to a clean house, especially if those fur babies are really, really furry, with a robot vacuum.

Take it with you

You want to be smart on the road, too. These portable smart devices can help you protect your travel gear and enjoy your trip more.

Luggage tracker

Slip a luggage tracker like one from Trackdot or a Tile key tracker in your suitcase, daypack, purse or even wet bag. It will make it easier to locate your gear, whether it’s somewhere in the airport, still in the back of your Uber driver’s car or overboard on that rafting trip.

Baby monitor

Maybe your vacation is less rafting and more baby-friendly. Tuck a portable baby monitor that works with a smartphone app in your bag, so you can keep an eye on your little one at the Airbnb. Everyone will rest easier. And remember these tips for booking a safe vacation rental.

Clothes

Yes, your clothing can be smart. Cooler and more stylish than a bucket hat, the Neviano swimsuit has a built-in sensor that monitors UV levels and tells you when to seek some shade. There’s also the Levi’s Commuter x Jacquard jacket that connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth, as well as other shirts and jackets that can help keep you extra warm using battery packs or infrared light.

UV sanitizer

A portable sanitizer that uses UV light to help disinfect small items can help you stay healthy while traveling. This one from Homedics is small enough to fit in your purse or pocket, great for cleaning your phone, keys and other small items on the road.

Your home should feel like a haven, but we know sometimes you just have to get away for a bit. When you do, follow these steps to keep your home safe before leaving on vacation.

1. It locks your door, even if you forget …

You run out the door, hop in the car and you’re going to make it on time! But did you lock up? Should you go back and check? If you use the auto-lock feature on your Schlage smart lock, you don’t have to. Moments after you left, your door locked according to your settings. Even if it slipped your mind, you can trust that your Schlage lock is helping to keep your home secure … and you’ll still be on time.

Think of this like the auto-lock feature on your car. Some newer vehicles can sense when the key is no longer nearby and will lock when it’s out of range. There’s no more running out to the parking lot “just to make sure” when you can depend on auto-lock. And while your Schlage lock doesn’t use geocaching, the effect is the same – it secures your door without you lifting a finger.

2. … and when others forget.

Maybe you’re not forgetful, but you know a few others who are. If your kids have a hard time remembering to lock up when they leave, auto-lock is a good fallback measure. If service providers visit your home – dog walkers, house cleaners – auto-lock means you’ll know your home is secure even if they don’t lock up after the job. No physical keys are necessary, and they don’t even need a code to lock the door.

Think of this like when you let your kids play with your phone at a restaurant. They’re enjoying their video or playing yet another game, then wander off because that’s what they do. Your phone’s auto-lock feature will help protect your personal data even when another user doesn’t.

3. It locks up when your hands are full.

Coming or going, it seems we always have our hands full. When you leave the house, you might have your gym bag, briefcase, the kids and their bags, any number of things you’re trying to get to the car. When you’re coming home, it’s all those things plus the groceries. With auto-lock, you don’t have to juggle whatever you’re carrying while also trying to get the key in the door. You can trust that your Schlage lock will take care of it automatically. That’s security and convenience in one.

Again, think of it like the auto-lock feature on your phone. When you have other things on your mind – and in your hands – you can toss your phone into your bag or pocket. You know it will shut itself off soon and your data will be safe until you enter the passcode or use facial recognition to reopen it. We think your devices should work with you to improve security.

4. It locks even when you’re home.

You’ve just come home with all those bags and groceries, got the ice cream in the freezer before it melted and now everyone wants dinner. So you start cooking, get everyone fed and three hours later, you think, “Did I lock the door when I came in?” With auto-lock, you never have to worry about it.

Most break-ins happen when everyone is away, but unfortunately that’s not always the case. Burglaries when you or your kids are home can be an incredibly unsettling experience, but a locked door can help prevent it. Auto-lock can make it easier to keep the door locked.

Think of it like the auto-lock feature on your car that engages while you’re driving. One benefit of this is to deter carjacking. Protect yourself while you’re inside.

5. It discourages young children from leaving unattended.

Just as you want to keep some people out of your home, others you want to keep in. If your child is a little Houdini, you can use auto-lock to help keep them from pulling a disappearing act. This is most effective when your kiddo is still too short to reach the latch.

Again, think of it like your car’s auto-locks. This feature can help prevent your passengers from opening the door while you’re in motion, always a dangerous scenario. Your Schlage deadbolt’s auto-lock feature similarly can help keep everyone safely where they’re supposed to be.

Even when the door locks automatically behind you, there’s no need to worry about getting locked out of the house. As long as you know your access code, you can re-enter using the keypad or touchscreen, no physical key necessary.

To turn the auto-lock feature on or change the length of time before it engages, refer to your lock’s programming guide, included in the box or online at Schlage Support.

Smart locks can help make your home more secure. When you take advantage of all their available features, you might not only improve that security even more, but also make your life a lot simpler. It’s time to overcome your concerns about going keyless and find the right Schlage smart lock for you.

We feed off the world around us. It’s why we light candles to set the mood, bake cookies before showing a house or play relaxing music before bed. Many people turn to feng shui to enhance the energy in their home in hopes to transforming various aspects of their lives. It can be applied to any area of your house, but here we share some simple feng shui tips for your entryway.

Many elements of feng shui center on making a welcoming statement, inviting in positive life force energy as well as you, your family and guests. Even if you aren’t sure you’re able to change your home’s energy, you can be confident that these suggestions will still give your curb appeal and entryway a boost. It’s hard to say no to that.

What is feng shui?

Dating back to ancient China, feng shui’s long history and complete practices are a bit too extensive to dive into here. To get you started, though, it helps to understand that feng shui is the art of balancing your living environment – your home, workplace or neighborhood, for example – with the natural world. By balancing the five facets of nature – fire, earth, water, wood and metal – in your home and with the eight bagua – wealth, fame reputation, partnership, family, children, tai chi, knowledge and helpful people – you can improve the energy or life force of that space.

Lots of things can affect your life force, or qi (pronounced “chee”), including what your furniture is made of and where it’s placed in the room, the plants you choose for your garden and the colors you paint your home. The thought is that with proper arrangement and attention to details, you can improve your qi, leading to greater happiness, prosperity and health.

How do I improve feng shui in my entryway?

Lighting, with its relation to the fire element, is hugely important when it comes to feng shui. This includes both natural and artificial light. Clean your fixtures and rid them of dust or grime. The same goes for your windows so that you can get as much sunlight as possible. You can also benefit from lights placed at different heights, such as with wall sconces, a chandelier and tabletop lamps.

Continue improving your entryway’s feng shui by choosing the best paint colors. Ceilings should be a bright flat white to reflect more light. Other colors you introduce depend on what kind of energy you’re trying to produce. Light blues and greens promote growth, healing and new beginnings. Pinks are about nourishment and youth. And light grays and whites promote clarity and precision.

Mirrors and rugs are common in many entryways. We love them for their pure decorative benefits, but they can also impact your qi. Mirrors will help reflect light, but you don’t want to place it directly in front of the door. It’s believed that any positive energy entering the house will essentially be reflected right back out before you can benefit. When choosing a rug or mat, steer clear of designs with birds or angels, which bring bad energy when stepped on, and choose instead something with a sandy or grassy feeling to replicate nature.

Just as important as adding décor elements is removing those that block positive qi. Make sure your entryway is free of clutter. Coats, shoes, mail and other miscellanea can keep the positive energy from flowing throughout the house. And, as The Spruce puts it, “your unconscious mind sees this clutter every time you enter your home. It’s not very relaxing and it creates stress.” You don’t have to remove every item from your entryway, but keeping it organized will help.

You also want to remove dead plants. Because of its connection with nature, feng shui almost always improves with additional greenery, but only when it’s still living. You also want to avoid prickly plants or those with pointed leaves. Instead, opt for round-leafed plants like a Jade plant, Chinese money plant for fiddle leaf fig tree.

How do I improve my porch’s feng shui?

Curb appeal is important for making a good first impression on your guests. You might think of feng shui in terms of making a good first impression for your qi. You should be able to see your front door from the street. The main entrance to your home is considered the “mouth of qi” or a portal for positive energy to enter your home. You want it to be easy for guests, whether people or energy, to find their way inside.

If it’s difficult to find the front door because it’s actually on the side of your home or obstructed by an architectural detail in some way, light the walkway or add some other visual signal to make it easier to find the entrance. On a similar note, house numbers should also be visible from the street.

Part of improving the feng shui of your front door is maintaining it – repainting when it starts to chip, greasing squeaky hinges, replacing sticky locks – and the same goes for doorbells. They should be easy to find, use and in good working conditioning.

Whether you’re adopting the practices of feng shui or are simply looking to change up your look, Schlage can help. Find more tips for curb appeal on our blog or spark your imagination on Pinterest.

1. Be careful who you trust

If you’re entrusting your furry friend (or plant pal) to a house sitter, you probably aren’t too worried they’ll run off with your TV. That being said, only share credentials for your WiFi, smart lock and other smart home devices with those you trust wholeheartedly.

Be judicial with what you give guests credentials for, too. If you don’t want them to be able to change the smart thermostat, you don’t have to give them those permissions.

2. Set an access schedule

When you do give your house sitter access to devices, check to see if you can schedule that access. For example, Schlage smart locks let you decide when the unique code you’ve created for your guest will work. If they’re staying from Friday to Tuesday, you can set the code to expire automatically on Wednesday.

Not all devices will have this convenient scheduling functionality. If this is the case, we recommend setting a reminder for yourself to manually discontinue your guests’ access as soon as possible upon your return.

3. Create a guest network

You can also restrict access to your primary WiFi network but set up a guest network for visitors. This is a good way to protect your smart devices. Your house sitter will still have access to the internet but not the network that controls all of your devices. Think of it as your guest and your devices driving on two parallel roads that don’t intersect. Your pet sitter can still watch Netflix and post on TikTok, but they’ll have a harder time modifying settings of your smart home devices.

4. Share passwords with QR codes

Whether you grant main or guest WiFi access to your sitter, you can password protect your network. Instead of exchanging passwords they might forget, create an easy-to-scan QR code. Leave the QR code somewhere convenient like the refrigerator door.

You can use a site like QiFi to create your QR code. Some phones can also generate one automatically when you select the “Share” option in the Settings menu.

5. Add smart switches

You think you have all your automations set up perfectly, then that light you scheduled doesn’t turn on. One reason could be that it’s turned off at the switch. To avoid this, and to keep your automations working correctly when someone unfamiliar with your home is visiting, choose smart switches and buttons at the wall. These will ensure that your devices will work as you scheduled them, even if they’re in the “off” position.

This is also a handy tip for family members who live with you. Little ones who can never give the right voice command or someone who’s just in the lifelong habit of flipping a switch won’t interrupt your automation if you choose the right physical smart switches.

6. Leave a helpful list

Leave a list of common voice commands and instructions. Even if your pet sitter is tech savvy, they might not be familiar with the names you’ve given your devices. No matter how many times they yell at Alexa to “Turn on light!” it just won’t work if you called it “living room lamp.” It’s frustrating and opens the door for them to take matters into their own hands, disrupting your automations and possibly breaking something. You don’t have to include every single device name and how-to on your cheat sheet, but make it comprehensive enough to cover anything they might use.

7. Pause your personal automations

Pause or turn off any schedules and automations that might disturb your sitter. This could include the “Wake Up” routine that automatically turns on lights and the coffee maker. Your sitter might appreciate a nice brew waiting for them … or they might be mad that everything woke them up before they were ready.

Smart home technology can add greater convenience and security to our lives, and our guests’, every day. For more tips on getting the most out of your smart devices, check out our Technology and Home Security sections of the Schlage blog.

For the bedroom

Cordless electric blanket

If you’re looking for a big electric comforter, this isn’t it. We like this smaller battery-operated heated blanket because there’s no cord to get tangled in and when you get up in the morning, you can fight off that last chill by taking it with you. And because you don’t have to be plugged into an outlet, it can even go with you outside.

Humidifier

If you suffer from dry skin, irritated eyes or respiratory symptoms – all things that keep you from feeling comfy and cozy – you might benefit from a humidifier. Even a small model like this one from Pore can provide relief on a budget.

ROGNAN robotic furniture

Designed for small spaces, this robotic furniture from IKEA can help add usable square footage to a room. With the push of a button, your bed slides underneath a “walk-in” closet, giving you more than 80 more square feet when it’s retracted. Think of all the ways you could use that extra space. You might have to wait a bit longer before it’s in U.S. markets, but it’s worth keeping an eye on.

For the bathroom

Towel warmer

One of the most common tips for creating a spa-like bathroom is to get plush towels. Go one step farther in the cozy department by warming them up, either with a heated towel rack or warmer cabinet.

Bidet

They’ve never been very popular in America, although there was increased interest during The Great TP Shortage of 2020. In terms of comfort and coziness, high-end bidets come with “nice warm air,” according to one NPR interview. You can go for luxury or an easy-to-install attachment bidet for less money.

Heated floor mat:

We picked this for the bathroom because cold tiles on bare feet is the exact opposite of cozy. You can find rubberized, non-slip options, which would make it extra safe for damp bathrooms, but we also like this one that’s designed to go under rugs. It’ll keep your bathroom – or living room, bedroom or playroom – looking stylish and feeling pleasantly toasty.

For the living room

Anti-fatigue LED strip lights

It seems like we’re all suffering from eye strain due to screen time. If you want to wind down with your favorite show, try LED strip lights you stick on the back of your television. It’ll set a dramatic mood and help those eyes at the same time.

Samsung Frame TV

If the mere sight of electronics leaves you feeling cold, devices like The Frame that hide their true function might be for you. It’s a television when you want it and a piece of art when you don’t, adding that touch of beauty you’ve been missing.

For the kitchen

Drink maker

Whether it’s coffee or tea, whether you’re drinking it now or simply enjoying the smell, a high-end brewer can change your mood quickly. Don’t deprive yourself just because you aren’t going to the coffeeshop every day. Reviewed.com shares its list of best coffee makers and grinders.

Touchless trash can

If touching germy surfaces leaves you feeling anything but cozy and stinky kitchen trash makes you queasy, you’ll appreciate a touchless trash can. This trash/recycling bin combo from NINESTARS is a favorite on Amazon.

For outside

Outdoor heater

We predict outdoor heaters will be flying off the shelves in the wake of the coronavirus, so if this intrigues you, don’t wait too long. When cabin fever sets in or you’re looking for a safer way to visit with friends outside, an outdoor space heater would make all the difference between a pleasant evening out and a frozen social misstep.

Smart lock

Sometimes what makes your home cozy is the knowledge that everything is as it should be. With a smart lock, you’ll find the peace of mind that helps you relax and enjoy the haven that is your home.

For anywhere in the home

Portable fireplace

No chimney or gas hookup? No problem. A ventless bio-ethanol fireplace from Anywhere Fireplaces can be used anywhere indoors, and you don’t have to worry about installing inserts or dealing with smoke. They have tabletop and wall-mounted models to help make any space cozier.

Companion robot

There are so many robots available right now that promise to provide companionship and social interaction. Unlike Alexa or a Google Assistant, some can initiate conversations and ask how your day went as well as provide requested information. Some might even be soft and cuddly. Artificial intelligence isn’t something to fear, so check out the right home robots that will make life more comfortable, convenient and perhaps even cuddly.

Litter box

If the only thing standing between you and a cozy home is smelly kitty litter, we’ve got the scoop for you. An automatic cat litter box can make life more pleasant when you have to scoop less and smell less odor. Your finicky feline friend might appreciate it, too.

Find more ways to make your home the comforting oasis you want it to be at the Schlage blog.

Cell phone

Contacts

Delete contacts you no longer need. It’s not mean. But who needs the number of an ex or a former colleague you haven’t talked to in five years and didn’t really like in the first place? For the remaining contacts, make the appropriate updates. This includes new phone numbers, physical mailing addresses or email addresses as well as changes in names if they have a new marital status. If you collect business cards for work, add that info to your phone and pitch the physical card.

Apps

Delete the apps you no longer use. Maybe it’s a game you’ve gotten tired of or a recipe bank you abandoned because it didn’t actually help you stay organized. You might like to group the remaining apps into folders. For example, apps for restaurants, grocery stores and social media each go into their own folder. Your screen will look cleaner and you’ll be able to get to TikTok that much faster.

Photos

Pictures add up quickly on our phones. Sort through them and delete any that are real gems. If you took a picture of something for record keeping – recipes, things you want to buy later, the IKEA tag so you knew where to find it in the warehouse – either store that information somewhere more secure and easier to find or trash it. For those pictures you love, back them up for more secure storage, have them printed for framing or a photo album, or both.

Email

Newsletters and blogs

Our interests change over time and what was useful or fun to read before might not be anymore. Unsubscribe from any mailings you delete without opening. If you don’t want to unsubscribe completely, see if there’s a frequency option. Some companies give you the option to receive their newsletter daily, weekly or monthly.

Old emails

We all keep old emails thinking we’ll reference them again later. Some, like a note from a loved one, are nice to keep for nostalgia. Others can be sent to trash, though. These tracking codes for packages you’ve already received, instructions for a DIY project you’ve completed (or won’t attempt … be honest) or anything random you simply forgot to delete.

Folders

Did you create folders in your inbox to help you stay organized? Chances are that the only thing that really accomplished was hiding your email clutter. Go through those folders and delete old, unnecessary emails like you did for your inbox. Be honest with yourself and if that folder isn’t being as helpful as you thought it would, delete the entire thing.

Contacts

Just like you did with your phone, remove contacts you no longer need. You might also be able to combine duplicate listings or remove ones with outdated email addresses.

Computer

Documents and records

We tend to store unnecessary files longer than necessary, perhaps even more than paper records since we don’t see them physically. Organizing isn’t just about deleting, though. You also want to add appropriate updates. If you have a new home inventory, save an updated file somewhere secure on your computer. Go through all the files you have on your computer, even those in the folders you forgot you created.

Downloads

Chances are that you have lots of downloads you used once and promptly forgot about. Delete those takeout menus, apps and pictures you’ll never use again or that are outdated.

Desktop files and folders

We often save something to our desktop to find it easily later. Either delete it or move it to the appropriate folder (Hint: that doesn’t mean just throw it in a “Miscellaneous” desktop folder). Take care of those random folders, too. Everyone who has a “New folder” and a “New folder (2)” knows what we’re talking about. Just like you want to keep your physical desktop free of clutter, a clean computer desktop makes it easier to find the necessary files and can improve security.

Backups

Back up important files – medical records, home inventory, insurance information – on the cloud or somewhere secure other than on your computer. This will help make sure you still have access to key documents in the event that your computer is stolen or damaged in a natural disaster.

Bookmarks

Purge your internet browser bookmarks. Personally, that usually means deleting links to recipes I tried and won’t ever make again. Some of those links might be broken anyway. This might be a good time to clear your browser’s search history, too.

Social Media

Unfollow

Just like you unsubscribed from e-newsletters you’re no longer interested in, unfollow pages that don’t catch your attention anymore. Or if there’s an account that upsets you more than tickles your fancy – a news outlet that just brings you down – unfollow them, too. If you don’t want to walk away completely, some social media will let you “snooze” an account for 30 days. If you find you didn’t miss not seeing them, that’s usually a good sign you can unlike them for good.

Unfriend

Friends who aren’t really friends don’t need to clutter your wall. It’s ok to remove them from your feed. They probably won’t even notice.

Settings

Double-check your privacy settings. Platforms change their policies and options over time. Make sure you’re still getting the security you want.

Streaming services

Old shows

Delete shows from your list that you’ve already watched. Do the same with those you abandoned partway through because you didn’t like them and those you added to the list a year ago but are still unwatched. If you haven’t watched them yet, even when you were quarantining, you probably never will. Stop letting them clutter up your queue.

New shows

If you’ve mentally stored show recommendations from friends or have that list of “100 classic movies to see before you die,” add those to your list now. It might solve the endless scrolling trying to decide what to watch later.

Settings

If you share an account with friends or family, decide now if you’re still ok with that setup. Remove anyone from the account that doesn’t need to be on it. Change passwords as necessary. Some services also allow for child settings. Tighten or loosen those restrictions as needed, too.

Unsubscribe

If you just never watch Netflix/Hulu/Amazon Prime/whatever anymore, cancel your subscription and save yourself some money.

Once you’ve tackled organizing your technology, you’re in prime position to get the rest of your home in order. Try these jobs you can do in just a few minutes to get – and stay – organized year-round.

As we embrace the start of a new year, decluttering and organizing are simple tasks that can do wonders for your state of mind, your wallet and the health of your home. While some organizational tasks are obvious, others are less top-of-mind. Don’t forget to organize your digital life and set the stage for a clean slate in the coming year. You won’t regret making your smart devices easier to use, your technology more convenient and your online presence more secure. Here are our top five ways to organize your digital footprint.

Cell phone

Contacts

Delete contacts you no longer need. It’s not mean. But who needs the number of an ex or a former colleague you haven’t talked to in five years and didn’t really like in the first place? For the remaining contacts, make the appropriate updates. This includes new phone numbers, physical mailing addresses or email addresses as well as changes in names if they have a new marital status. If you collect business cards for work, add that info to your phone and pitch the physical card.

Apps

Delete the apps you no longer use. Maybe it’s a game you’ve gotten tired of or a recipe bank you abandoned because it didn’t actually help you stay organized. You might like to group the remaining apps into folders. For example, apps for restaurants, grocery stores and social media each go into their own folder. Your screen will look cleaner and you’ll be able to get to TikTok that much faster.

Photos

Pictures add up quickly on our phones. Sort through them and delete any that are real gems. If you took a picture of something for record keeping – recipes, things you want to buy later, the IKEA tag so you knew where to find it in the warehouse – either store that information somewhere more secure and easier to find or trash it. For those pictures you love, back them up for more secure storage, have them printed for framing or a photo album, or both.

Update your iPhone

Often, we find ourselves skipping iPhone upgrades due to the inconvenience of creating more storage space or the impatience of waiting for updates. However, it is crucial to prioritize these upgrades to ensure you have the latest versions of apps and system updates. This not only introduces new features to your phone giving you a fresh feel, but also enhances security and fixes bugs.

Email

Newsletters and blogs

Our interests change over time and what was useful or fun to read before might not be anymore. Unsubscribe from any mailings you delete without opening. If you don’t want to unsubscribe completely, see if there’s a frequency option. Some companies give you the option to receive their newsletter daily, weekly or monthly.

Old emails

We all keep old emails thinking we’ll reference them again later. Some, like a note from a loved one, are nice to keep for nostalgia. Others can be sent to trash, though. These tracking codes for packages you’ve already received, instructions for a DIY project you’ve completed (or won’t attempt … be honest) or anything random you simply forgot to delete.

Folders

Did you create folders in your inbox to help you stay organized? Chances are that the only thing that really accomplished was hiding your email clutter. Go through those folders and delete old, unnecessary emails like you did for your inbox. Be honest with yourself and if that folder isn’t being as helpful as you thought it would, delete the entire thing.

Contacts

Just like you did with your phone, remove contacts you no longer need. You might also be able to combine duplicate listings or remove ones with outdated email addresses.

Computer

Documents and records

We tend to store unnecessary files longer than necessary, perhaps even more than paper records since we don’t see them physically. Organizing isn’t just about deleting, though. You also want to add appropriate updates. If you have a new home inventory, save an updated file somewhere secure on your computer. Go through all the files you have on your computer, even those in the folders you forgot you created.

Downloads

Chances are that you have lots of downloads you used once and promptly forgot about. Delete those takeout menus, apps and pictures you’ll never use again or that are outdated.

Desktop files and folders

We often save something to our desktop to find it easily later. Either delete it or move it to the appropriate folder (Hint: that doesn’t mean just throw it in a “Miscellaneous” desktop folder). Take care of those random folders, too. Everyone who has a “New folder” and a “New folder (2)” knows what we’re talking about. Just like you want to keep your physical desktop free of clutter, a clean computer desktop makes it easier to find the necessary files and can improve security.

Backups

Back up important files – medical records, home inventory, insurance information – on the cloud or somewhere secure other than on your computer. This will help make sure you still have access to key documents in the event that your computer is stolen or damaged in a natural disaster.

Bookmarks

Purge your internet browser bookmarks. Personally, that usually means deleting links to recipes I tried and won’t ever make again. Some of those links might be broken anyway. This might be a good time to clear your browser’s search history, too.

Social Media

Unfollow

Just like you unsubscribed from e-newsletters you’re no longer interested in, unfollow pages that don’t catch your attention anymore. Or if there’s an account that upsets you more than tickles your fancy – a news outlet that just brings you down – unfollow them, too. If you don’t want to walk away completely, some social media will let you “snooze” an account for 30 days. If you find you didn’t miss not seeing them, that’s usually a good sign you can unlike them for good.

Unfriend

Friends who aren’t really friends don’t need to clutter your wall. It’s ok to remove them from your feed. They probably won’t even notice.

Settings

Double-check your privacy settings. Platforms change their policies and options over time. Make sure you’re still getting the security you want.

Delete Old Photos

The start of a new year makes it the perfect time to go back through your social media and delete photos that may not be relevant to your life anymore. Your digital footprint stays with you forever, so this also a good time to look back through and make sure you don’t have anything on your social media you wouldn’t want your employer to see.

Streaming services

Old shows

Delete shows from your list that you’ve already watched. Do the same with those you abandoned partway through because you didn’t like them and those you added to the list a year ago but are still unwatched. If you haven’t watched them yet, even when you were quarantining, you probably never will. Stop letting them clutter up your queue.

New shows

If you’ve mentally stored show recommendations from friends or have that list of “100 classic movies to see before you die,” add those to your list now. It might solve the endless scrolling trying to decide what to watch later.

Settings

If you share an account with friends or family, decide now if you’re still ok with that setup. Remove anyone from the account that doesn’t need to be on it. Change passwords as necessary. Some services also allow for child settings. Tighten or loosen those restrictions as needed, too.

Unsubscribe

If you just never watch Netflix/Hulu/Amazon Prime/whatever anymore, cancel your subscription and save yourself some money.

Once you’ve tackled organizing your technology, you’re in prime position to get the rest of your home in order. Try these jobs you can do in just a few minutes to get – and stay – organized year-round.

Robots “maid” for you

In a recent poll, more than 70 percent of people said their homes would be cleaner if they had robots to do their chores. Luckily, we already have access to robots that will help with some of those dirty jobs. Here are a few of our favorites.

ROKUBOT

Devices that sterilize your home were in high demand in 2020 for all the obvious reasons. ROCKUBOT stepped in with a robot it claims kills 99.9 percent of bacteria, germs and mites. Perhaps its most common use is cleaning the bed – on and under the sheets, pillows, mattresses. But it also has a handheld mode to help sanitize electronics. Unexpectedly, this cleaning robot comes with a Bluetooth speaker so it can stream your favorite music while doing its thing.

iRobot Bravva jet 240

Vacuuming can be a never-ending task, especially if you have pets. Robotic vacuums have been making the chore easier for several years now. For those ready to take it to the next level, you’ll see more mopping robots to help tackle more floor – and dirt – types. You’ll definitely want one for those hard-to-reach spaces like around toilets.

Gladwell Gecko Robot Window Cleaner

This robot will do the dirty work whether you have expanses of windows or very tall ones like those that span multiple stories in an entryway. No more hauling in a ladder and perching on it perilously or paying someone to clean your windows for you. Suction keeps it attached to the window, while AI helps determine where the windows’ edges are and makes sure all of the glass gets a good scrubbing. Don’t forget to try it on stubborn glass shower doors, too.

Grillbot

We cooked at home a lot in the last year. We’ve also spent a lot more time outdoors. Often, we did both at the same time. That’s why the Grillbot comes in so handy. This automatic grill cleaning robot scrubs and scrapes with its wire brushes so you don’t have to.

Worx Landroid robotic mower

Using much the same technology as robotic vacuums, this robotic lawnmower trims your grass while you stay cool inside or focus on other activities like playing with the kids. The Worx Landroid also has rain sensors that will send it back to the docking station when the weather turns, as well as security features like a pin number to start operation and alerts if it strays from your yard.

Smart robots for smarter kids

When remote learning became widespread during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, schools and families had to get creative quickly. One of the biggest challenges was finding engaging ways to connect with children and keep their minds growing. These robots are helping us do that not only today, but likely well into the future.

LEGO Education

LEGO sees learning through play as a vital part of building kids’ social-emotional needs, increasingly important as we navigate the challenges of classroom, virtual and hybrid learning in 2021. If your kids have already made The Child, they might love taking it a step farther with LEGO Education SPIKE Prime and other make-your-own robots that teach coding, problem solving and creative design. They’ll think they’re playing, but you’ll know they’re learning essential skills in science, technology and innovation.

Miko 2

This adorable little robot can hear, speak and relate to your child using a variety of speakers, algorithms and cues from your child. Miko 2 is also programmed to help them learn, providing knowledge and skills that are right for their age and that you can control. As more research finds that robots can get kids excited about reading, devices like this one will become increasingly popular.

Owl

You might not actually see this robot in your own home, but your child could have experience with it through e-learning. Owl and other similar telepresence robots are giving teachers the ability to better re-create a classroom experience even when their students are remote. Owl can swivel and move to follow a teacher around a room, making it a smarter video conference camera.

Wigl

Rarely do we see the combination of music education with STEM training. Wigl was created to inspire kids at a young age to get into robotics and engineering. The little bug-looking robot dances based on the musical notes it hears. Your kids will learn the connection between their actions and the robot’s when they can make it “wigl” as they play a song or sing to it.

Artificial intelligence, true companionship

Yes, many people have a fear of robots. While they’re always trying to take over the world in movies, robots can actually bring us all closer together in real life. We already ask Alexa to tell us jokes. We say, “Hey Google, text Mom.” Experts expect 29 percent growth in the market for “social robots” annually over the next few years, so it’s not a far leap to think that some of these companionable robots will soon take up residence in our homes.

aibo

Everyone tries to create a robot dog, but aibo seems like one that offers the most fun. With artificial intelligence, he can learn his environment and your habits to fit in with your home and family. You can feed him with the app – shake your phone to bring him running at the sound of treats – send him on “Puppy Patrol” to find someone on your People of Interest registry and have him do tricks. As Sony, the maker of aibo, says, his “happiness is spending quality time with you.”

BOCCO emo

More popular today in Japan, BOCCO is a communication robot that helps send text and voice messages, even if someone is too young for, or otherwise unable to use, a smartphone. Kids can talk to the robot, which will then send you a text with their message, or you can send a message from your phone for BOCCO to deliver to the kids. It’s continuously being developed, so compatibility with other devices in the Internet of Things is on the rise, making it a robot to keep an eye on. Also, he’s super cute.

Walabot HOME

Falls are a concern for many, but this robot can help remove some of the worries. Walabot HOME uses radio frequency to tell if someone in the room has fallen. Then, even if they’re unconscious, the device will contact a caregiver. It works anywhere in the home but is especially popular in bathrooms both because falls so often happen in that space and because Walabot HOME does not use cameras. There are also no wearables or buttons that need to be pressed to send an alert.

Robots on the rise … we hope

Maybe they aren’t real yet and maybe no one knows what exactly they’re capable of, but it’s fun to dream about how some of these space-age robots could improve our daily lives.

PR2

The assistive robot is still in the research and development stages, but if it becomes more viable, not to mention affordable, the benefits are priceless. The goal is to give individuals with disabilities more independence. In trial studies, it has worked with those who are paralyzed to help them complete tasks as common as scratching an itch. If this robot succeeds in assisting in other ways – eating, dressing, cleaning – countless people will be able to live more “normal” lives.

XR-1 Cloud Robot

Described as a “coffee-serving humanoid machine,” this robot uses 5G connectivity. It’s still under development, but that 5G is what CloudMinds, the company that makes XR-1, says is going to make it revolutionary. Because of the faster connection, the robot will be able to respond to our commands with almost no lag time. Eventually, it could help with household chores and more.

SpotMini

This robotic dog is a spinoff of Boston Dynamics’ original Spot. While Spot is better suited for construction and public safety uses, they anticipate SpotMini to be of greater use in homes. It already has figured out how to help with dishes and open doors. What sets SpotMini apart from other household chore robots is that it operates on four legs rather than wheels. That opens possibilities for assisting on uneven ground and stairways.

Whether for yourself or loved ones, technology can have a lasting and positive impact on lives. Find technology-related gift ideas on our gift giving guide, or learn more about Schlage smart locks work with the technology you already have on our blog.

What you should never buy online

Some items should never be bought online, no matter how good the deal or how easy it sounds. Things that fall under this category include anything you need to test drive, literally or figuratively. Cars, mattresses and pillows, and some furniture are very personal. You want to get a feel for a particular item, not just rely on product descriptions and customer reviews. Some clothing, like swimsuits, intimate wear and suits also fit in this category.

When it comes to things like cars and mattresses, we are seeing more companies shaking things up and making it easier to buy online. Carvana for vehicles and Casper and Leesa for mattresses are making it easier to try their products out at home and return them if you aren’t happy. So if you do plan to purchase something like this online, choose the seller wisely and look for good money back guarantees and warranties.

If you think you’ll have lots of questions, head to the store instead. Large appliances like a refrigerator, washer or dryer often come with lots of fine print, either about the appliance itself or when it comes to delivery and warranties. Heading to a store to talk to a sales associate can be extra helpful. Another question to ask yourself is if you can negotiate the price of an item. If a little haggling is appropriate, don’t buy it online – obviously, there’s no one to negotiate with.

Anything where color matters should be left to in-person purchases, too. This includes paint, artwork you’re trying to color match to other décor and cosmetics.

What you should buy online

Now that we know what we’re not putting in our virtual cart, what should we buy online? Electronics are a big go, go, go! You can often find great deals on computers and televisions. Laptops have so many options to choose from that unless you need to talk to a geek, shopping online lets you pick and choose only what you need. Small electronic accessories – chargers, USBs and cases – are also solid online purchases.

We said not to get the refrigerator online, but smaller kitchen appliances are totally okay. If you’ve had your eye on a new blender or fancy waffle iron, there’s no reason not to buy those while kicked back on the couch.

Not many of us are taking major trips right now, but if we were, we’d certainly be buying our plane tickets, searching hotel deals and snagging great prices on luggage. All of these are best bought on the internet, either directly from the seller or through a trusted agent.

Fitness equipment is expected to be hard to find this winter, so if you’re in the market for a treadmill or free weights, buy them online and do it quickly. Due to gyms closing during COVID-19, many stores have seen their inventories drop and selection could get even more sparse in the colder months.

Kids’ toys and books for everyone are great online purchases. And if you don’t know what to get someone, buy a gift card online and let them do their own shopping … online or in person, of course.

How to spot a great online deal

Especially when you’re shopping online, it’s easy to get excited by the fancy graphics and pop-ups claiming a great markdown. Not all deals are true deals, however. Here are some tips for knowing when you’re actually saving money.

• Do the math. Some websites will put a clearance sticker on a product, but when you look more closely, it’s only marked down a few bucks. Make sure it’s really on clearance and worth it.
  
  
• Beware the free shipping trap. More and more places are offering free shipping as a standard. If there’s still a minimum, however, and you find you’re putting extra items into your cart just to meet it, take a minute to think. Will saving $35 on shipping really work in your benefit if you end up buying an extra $50 worth of random stuff just to get it?
  
  
• Splurge on frequently used items. Going cheaper on something you use and depend on every day – coffeemakers, locks and security systems, a cell phone – isn’t always the smart move. You need them to hold up and you need to trust them. Often, spending a few extra dollars to make sure you get durability and quality will work out in your favor. After all, you could end up spending more in the long run if you have to replace it right away. And nothing is worth the caffeine headache you get when your coffeemaker breaks down unexpectedly after a month.
  
  
• Know the difference between price and value. If something is important to you, it’s okay to spend a little extra. Don’t pass it up just because it’s not a great “deal.” You don’t have to overspend, but it’s perfectly fine to pay fair price for something that is going to improve your life, make it more convenient or truly make you happy. In other words, if you find great value in it.

How to shop safely online

When you shop online, make sure you’re doing it safely. This goes beyond just protecting your packages once they’re delivered. Before you even start putting things in your cart, check that you have a secure WiFi connection. Only shop at stores you know and trust, perhaps a shop you’d visit in person anyway. Remember to look for the padlock icon in the browser search window, too. This will help you know if the website uses secure encryption.

Learn how to stop package theft and get other online shopping safety tips here. And don’t think it’s only a matter of holiday security. This is important every day, especially as the homebody economy grows and we turn to contactless delivery more often.

Now that you know what to shop for and the best way to do it, get great ideas for everyone on your list. Use the Schlage Gift Giving Guide today for our picks on everything from smart lock bundles to favorite pet accessories to must-haves for the outdoors lover in your life.