4 fun home automation projects

If you've always wanted an automated home system that turns on lights or music but you didn't want an expensive system, you can have an alternative. Apps with settings can work the same with for almost no cost.

• Home automation is an excellent way to make living in your home more convenient and fun.
• There are some things you can automate in your home that are for pure entertainment, and they are easy to set up and control yourself.

Check out some fun projects relating to home automation below.

Want to make your house a surprise dance party?

Create a room where dance music automatically turns on when you walk into it.

1. To create the automation, you can install a motion sensor right next to the doorway of the selected room.
2. Then, when you enter the room, have your automated MP3 player start playing a dance song like "I Wanna Dance With Somebody."

• You can also set up your own theme song to play when you walk in your own front door.

If the room where you have your TV is lacking some magic, you can create a cinematic atmosphere with automated blinds and dimming lights.

• As soon as the movie player starts playing a movie, have the lights dim to a low level and the shades go down to block out light.
• You can create your own home theatre in no time. You can use an app or program to set default lighting "scenes," then you can simply touch a button on the accompanying app on your smartphone to create that scene by getting window shades and light-levels to exactly the right spot.

Many people have trouble falling asleep while listening to the sounds of the world outside. Drown them out by playing an MP3 of nature sounds when you fall asleep.

• Play your nature sounds via an app that can turn itself off after a certain amount of time.
• This is a good way to enjoy nature sounds while you're falling asleep, but not waste battery or have them wake you up once you've already fallen asleep.

Many apps and devices can be programmed to talk to you via a speaker system in your home.

• One great way to utilize the program is to have them as reminders to get important daily tasks done, and recording audio reminders so nothing important slips your mind.

1. Record vocal reminders into the system for regular weekly tasks, like taking the garbage out or picking your child up from soccer practice.
2. Then, schedule the program to play the reminder out loud for you over your home's loudspeaker on the day that you need to hear it, so you don't forget to get anything important done.

These fun projects make your house more interactive and really feel like home when you get in after a long day at work.