How to Start a Smart Home: First Steps
You don't need to build it all in one weekend. This is an honest guide to taking the first step — no pressure to buy everything at once.
How to start — 4 steps
Pick one use case first
Don't try to automate the whole house at once. Start with one area you actually want to improve — most people begin with lighting or climate sensors.
Choose an ecosystem that supports Matter
Pick a hub or platform that supports Matter or another widely-used standard, so you won't need to rip everything out later to add a different brand's device.
Add devices gradually
Add and test each new device on its own before moving to the next. That way you learn what actually works in your home and can adjust course.
Expand once you're confident
Once the basics run reliably, add more rooms or functions — at your own pace, without rushing.
What's worth knowing before you start
One device is enough to begin
A cheap smart bulb or sensor is a perfectly normal starting point — you don't need the full kit on day one just to get a feel for the system.
Wired vs wireless
Wired bus systems like KNX are typically installed during new-build or major renovation, since they need dedicated cabling. Wireless ecosystems (Zigbee/Thread/Wi-Fi/Matter) are the common retrofit path, since they don't require chasing walls.
Local vs cloud
A local hub keeps core automations running without internet. Voice assistants and remote away-from-home access usually need a connection.
Matter as a common language
Matter is a 2022 interoperability standard backed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), letting devices from different brands work together over Thread/Wi-Fi/Ethernet.
No single system is 'best' for everyone
Wired vs wireless, local vs cloud — these are tradeoffs, not a universal answer. The right choice depends on your home and goals.
Keep notes as you go
Write down which devices you installed and where. It'll help later if you expand the system or bring in outside help.
Where to start shopping
smarteg.lv stocks devices for starting a DIY smart home — no obligation to buy it all at once.
- Smart bulbs and switches for lighting automation
- Climate and room sensors for your first steps
- Matter/Zigbee/Thread-compatible devices
- Hubs and gateways to start your ecosystem
- Guides and articles to help you choose the right path
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy everything at once?
No. It's perfectly normal to start with one cheap device — a bulb or a sensor — and expand later once you know what you actually need.
What should I start with — lighting or something else?
Most people start with lighting or climate sensors, since they give an immediate, noticeable benefit day to day.
Why does a Matter-compatible ecosystem matter?
Matter lets devices from different brands work together. Choosing it from the start means you won't have to replace your whole setup later to add another brand.
Are wireless devices worse than wired systems?
Not worse, just different — easier to add to an existing home, but with their own considerations (battery, interference, coverage) that wired systems don't have.
Do I need internet for a smart home to work?
Core automations on a local hub keep working without internet. You'll typically need a connection for voice assistants and remote access from outside the house.
Ready for step one?
Browse devices in the store and start with one thing — no pressure to buy it all at once.