Living with roommates can be a rewarding experience. Sharing costs, building friendships, and having someone to watch Netflix with are some of the perks. But, let’s be honest — sharing space with others can also come with its fair share of challenges. Conflicts over shared chores, inconsistent routines, and differing preferences for temperature or lighting can turn a peaceful co-living situation into a stressful one.
Luckily, modern technology offers solutions that can make cohabitation a breeze. Smart home devices are no longer just fancy gadgets for tech enthusiasts; they’re practical tools that can improve daily life for roommates.
From smart thermostats to shared calendars, these devices can help solve common roommate problems.
1. Smart Thermostats
One of the most common arguments among roommates is temperature. One person feels cold, another is too hot, and you’re stuck in a thermostat tug-of-war before you know it. A smart thermostat is the perfect solution to this problem. Devices like the Google Nest Thermostat or ecobee SmartThermostat allow for customizable and automated settings based on the time of day and room occupancy.
Roommates can set temperature schedules for different times of the day. For example, during the night, you can agree on a cooler temperature, while the mornings could be warmer for those who wake up early. Some smart thermostats even let you control the temperature by room. This can be helpful if one roommate prefers a warmer bedroom while another is more comfortable in a cooler living room.
In addition to maintaining a comfortable home, smart thermostats are energy-efficient and can lower utility costs, something every roommate will appreciate.
2. Smart Lighting
Another source of tension can be lighting. Some people love bright spaces, while others prefer dim lighting, especially in the evening. Enter smart lighting systems like Philips Hue or LIFX. These systems allow each roommate to customize the lighting in their personal space without affecting others.
You can control the brightness, color temperature, and hue through a mobile app or voice command. Want a soft blue glow for a relaxing evening in your room while your roommate prefers a brighter, more energizing light in the kitchen? No problem — smart lighting can accommodate everyone’s preferences.
Better yet, you can set timers or motion sensors, ensuring that common areas like the hallway or bathroom light up automatically when someone enters.
3. Smart Locks
One concern many people have when living with roommates is security. With multiple people coming in and out of the home, it’s easy to lose track of whether the door is locked. A smart lock, such as the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock or Schlage Encode, eliminates this worry entirely.
Smart locks allow you to lock and unlock your door remotely using your smartphone. If you’re out and your roommate forgets their key, they don’t need to wait around or call a locksmith — just unlock the door for them via the app. You can also assign digital keys to each roommate, meaning you’ll know exactly who has entered and left the house.
These locks also have features that lock the door automatically after a certain period, which helps solve the “Did you remember to lock the door?” debate once and for all.
4. Voice Assistants
Voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomePod can act as the central hub for managing your shared home. They can help you set up reminders, create shared shopping lists, and even manage shared calendars.
For example, use Alexa to set a reminder for trash day, ensuring no one forgets their chore. You can also sync everyone’s schedules in a shared Google Calendar to keep track of events like who’s cooking dinner on which night or when rent is due.
Additionally, voice assistants can help play music or set the mood in common areas. Whether you’re hosting a party together or just having a relaxed movie night, you can use voice commands to control music, lighting, and even smart TVs.
5. Smart Plugs
Electricity bills are one of the largest shared costs between roommates, and inefficient energy use can cause unnecessary spikes in costs. Smart plugs allow you to control power to any plugged-in device remotely. If you or your roommate leaves for the weekend and forgets to turn off the fan or space heater, you can turn off their devices using the connected app.
Furthermore, some smart plugs have scheduling features, so devices like lamps, coffee makers, or electric kettles can be turned on or off automatically.
6. Smart Appliances
Roommates often face challenges when it comes to dividing household chores. Things like vacuuming, cleaning, and cooking can lead to friction. Fortunately, smart appliances can help take some of the workload off everyone’s shoulders. Consider a robot vacuum.
You can schedule these devices to clean common areas automatically, ensuring that dirt and dust don’t pile up just because someone forgot to vacuum. Map out which areas the vacuum should clean so it can work around different schedules or preferences.
Additionally, a quiet personal blender can be a game-changer in shared kitchens, allowing roommates to prepare smoothies or shakes without disturbing others. Smart kitchen devices like Wi-Fi-connected coffee machines or smart slow cookers can be a lifesaver for meal prep. You can set them to start brewing coffee or cooking a meal remotely, so no one has to worry about hogging the kitchen.
7. Smart Speakers for Shared Entertainment
Smart speakers like Sonos or Bose Home Speakers can upgrade your living room into a shared entertainment hub. Syncing these speakers with streaming services allows roommates to play music, podcasts, or radio stations.
For movie nights, you can integrate the smart speaker with your TV for immersive sound. Each roommate can queue up their favorite songs or shows through the app, ensuring everyone gets a say in the shared entertainment experience.
Conclusion
Sharing a living space with roommates doesn’t have to be stressful, and technology is here to help. Smart home devices not only improve the efficiency and security of your home but also encourage better communication. Whether you’re living with roommates in San Francisco, NYC, San Diego, or anywhere else, you can create a living environment that’s not only comfortable but also peaceful.