No one wants a cookie-cutter house; different families have different needs and preferences, and what works in one home may not be the right choice for another home. The same is true of home automation systems: You may be looking for someone to install a custom home theater or whole-home audio system, while your neighbors may be more interested in outdoor audio or lighting control.

Furthermore, different homes pose different challenges in terms of installation, wiring and integration. A one-size-fits-all approach to designing a smart home is not going to give you an optimal result. By personalizing your smart home, though, you can create a system that’s better suited to your needs and preferences, and it will likely work better, too.

That’s why we want to talk to you about all the ways you can personalize your Minneapolis, MN, smart home. Want to know more? Keep reading.

Voice-activated devices like Amazon Echoes are joining Edina, MN homes like yours in droves. According to a report by Strategy Analytics, Q4 sales of smart speakers reached 12 million units worldwide. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if many of them were wrapped in holiday paper right now.

Many smart home owners enjoy the novelty of hearing weather updates, playing music, getting recipe assistance and more, but some individuals and households ask Alexa to simplify their lifestyles, too. She isn’t just for fun: Alexa provides many time-savings and stress-relieving benefits. We’ve identified some people who might need her help next year.

With the dipping weather and kids returning to school, it seems much harder to keep everybody healthy during the second half of the year. So how can you be proactive and embrace a healthier lifestyle? Your smart home can enhance your physical and mental health in a variety of ways. From better ways to regulate your sleep to reducing common health hazards, check out some ways the right technology can transform day-to-day life in your Minnetonka, MN home.