Got an automation you’re proud of or a setup that’s perfectly dialed in? We want to see the coolest smart home setups from our community.

Remember the show MTV Cribs? It was always a blast getting a peek inside someone else’s space, seeing how they lived and the cool stuff they had. I’ve always thought the same thing about technology. Forget the giant fish tanks and gold-plated everything; I want to see the clever automations, the perfectly managed cable setups, and the unique smart home setups that people have poured their creativity into. It’s like a modern-day tour of someone’s digital castle.

That’s why I’m starting a little project to showcase the amazing, nerdy, and genuinely useful smart homes that people are building every day. It’s less about having the most expensive gear and more about the personal touches and clever solutions that make a house a smart home. It’s about celebrating the creativity that goes into making technology work for you in a personal way.

What Makes a Great Smart Home Setup?

When you pull back the curtain, you realize the most impressive smart homes aren’t just a collection of expensive gadgets. The magic is in the integration and the personal flair. It’s the little things that make you nod and say, “That’s clever.”

Maybe it’s an automation that flashes your office lights when your pizza is at the door, so you don’t miss the delivery during a meeting. Or perhaps it’s a perfectly calibrated morning routine where the lights fade in slowly, the blinds open to the morning sun, and your favorite coffee maker starts brewing, all before your alarm even goes off.

These setups tell a story about the person who lives there. They show what’s important to them, whether it’s ultimate convenience, energy efficiency, a love for home entertainment, or just a fun way to automate daily chores. It’s about solving real-life problems, even small ones, in an elegant way. For some great inspiration on what’s possible, check out the latest trends and ideas covered by tech hubs like The Verge.

More Than a Flex: Sharing Your Smart Home Setups

So, why are we so fascinated by seeing other people’s smart home setups? I think it comes down to two things: inspiration and community.

When you see how someone else solved a problem, it sparks ideas for your own space. You might discover a new device you’d never heard of or a way to use a gadget you already own in a completely new way. It pushes the whole community forward. Seeing a complex dashboard built with a platform like Home Assistant can feel intimidating at first, but it also shows what’s possible when you dive deep into the hobby.

Sharing your setup is also a way to get feedback and connect with people who share your passion. You get to “show your work” and be proud of the time and effort you’ve invested. It’s the digital equivalent of having a friend over and showing them the cool new thing you built.

A Peek into Some Inspiring Setups

Every smart home has a different personality. Here are a few archetypes I love seeing:

• The Minimalist’s Dream: This setup is all about stealth. The technology is invisible until you need it. Think motion sensors hidden on door frames, seamless in-ceiling speakers, and a single, clean tablet on the wall that controls everything. The focus is on calm and simplicity.
• The Home Lab Hero: This is my personal favorite. You open a closet, and it’s a full-blown data center. There’s a server rack, neatly managed network cables, and a dashboard that monitors everything from network uptime to the temperature of the fridge. It’s the powerful engine running the whole show.
• The Cozy Entertainer: This space is all about vibe. It’s packed with smart lighting from brands like Philips Hue or Govee that changes color for movie night, automated blinds that close for the perfect glare-free viewing, and a sound system that can switch from a movie marathon to a party playlist with a single voice command.

Now, It’s Your Turn: Show Us Your Setup!

This is where you come in. To get this project rolling, I’m collecting submissions from people who are proud of their smart spaces.

It doesn’t matter if you have a massive home server or just one really clever automation that makes your day better. If you’ve created something cool, I want to see it. I’m looking for photos of real setups, descriptions of your favorite automations, and recommendations for gear you love.

Think of it as our own little version of Cribs, but for the smart home community. Let’s celebrate the creativity, the problem-solving, and the sheer fun of building a home that’s uniquely yours.