5 Smart Home Automations That Will Instantly Make Life Easier (and Feel Like Magic)

Living Smarter, Not Harder — Right Here in the Highlands

Imagine waking up to gentle lighting, your favourite playlist, and the blinds opening themselves to let the morning light in — all without lifting a finger. That’s not the future. That’s a smart home, today.

Here in the Southern Highlands, we’re seeing more homeowners choosing smart home automation not just for the wow-factor, but to actually make life more intuitive, efficient, and beautiful. Whether you live in Bowral, Berrima, Mittagong or out on acreage, the right smart systems can adapt to your lifestyle and surroundings seamlessly.

And we’re not talking gimmicks. These are the automations that instantly add comfort, convenience, and even security to your daily routine — while staying elegantly hidden in the background.

Let’s dive into the 5 top smart home automations that genuinely feel like magic.

1. "Good Morning" Lighting + Climate Scenes

Wake up to a pre-set scene that mimics natural sunrise lighting, gradually warms your home in winter, and plays calming music from your favourite playlist. Crestron Home allows you to customise these scenes down to the tiniest detail. The bonus? You can activate it with a single voice command or tap of a button before you even get out of bed.

Perfect for: Cold Highland mornings, early-riser routines, or setting the tone for a calm day ahead.

2. Smart Access Control

Whether it’s a delivery at the front gate, a guest arriving early, or letting the kids in after school, smart locks and app-controlled gates are a game changer. You can open your gate or door from your phone (even if you’re not home), assign temporary codes to guests, and track who’s coming and going.

Bonus feature: Link your access control with CCTV to view live footage before granting entry.

Perfect for: Rural driveways, Airbnb properties, and family homes with teens or tradies coming and going.

3. "Leaving Home" Automation

One tap (or voice command) and your home powers down for the day: lights off, doors locked, climate adjusted, security armed. No more checking the back door twice or wondering if you left the heating on.

Crestron Integration: Build powerful routines into your wall keypad, smartphone app, or even smartwatch.

Perfect for: Busy households, forgetful teens, and people who like peace of mind on the go.

4. Smart Surveillance + Alerts

Your cameras are more than just cameras. Smart systems like Crestron and Ubiquiti integrate with your home network and automation. Receive alerts when a person is detected (not just movement), trigger a floodlight when someone enters your driveway, or get a snapshot sent to your phone if the back gate opens.

Perfect for: Remote homes, acreage properties, or anyone who wants to feel more secure without adding stress.

5. "Movie Mode" or "Entertain Mode"

Press one button and watch your lights dim, blinds close, speakers adjust, and projector or TV come to life. Whether it’s movie night with the kids or date night for two, these automations make the vibe effortless.

Perfect for: Media rooms, open-plan living areas, and anyone who loves to host (or chill in style).

Why Crestron?

At The Techery, we proudly partner with Crestron Home, one of the world’s most trusted names in whole-home automation. Their systems are known for:

Premium quality and rock-solid performance
Seamless design (no clunky devices or messy wiring)
Endless customisation to match your lifestyle
Scalable setups — from single-room to entire estates

Whether you want subtle automation or a full smart home experience, we’ll help you design the perfect balance of luxury and functionality.

Smart Homes, Simplified (And Actually Enjoyable)

We believe smart homes shouldn’t feel complex. Our job is to make it simple, elegant, and fun. We work closely with you, your builder, or interior designer to ensure every device works beautifully and intuitively.

✅ Locally installed and supported ✅ Clean, seamless installs by our in-house technicians ✅ Tailored to your lifestyle and space

🎯 Book a Free Demo or Consult

Or just drop by and chat with our team at The Mill in Bowral. We’d love to show you what’s possible.

The Techery
The Art of Smart Technology & Rural Connection

Maximising Home Security with The Techery's Smart Solutions

Welcome to the world where home security meets cutting-edge technology! In this blog, we're diving into how you can beef up your home security using smart tech. And guess what? The Techery is your go-to guide for this journey. Let's explore how smart solutions can turn your home into a fortress of safety and convenience.

The Smart Security Revolution

Gone are the days when home security meant bulky alarms and clunky CCTV cameras. Today, it's all about sleek, smart, and super-efficient systems that blend seamlessly into our lives.

Why Smart Security?

Real-Time Monitoring: Keep an eye on your home from anywhere, anytime.
Instant Alerts: Get notified immediately about any unusual activity.
User-Friendly: Easy to use, even if you're not a tech whiz.

The Techery's Role

Customised Solutions: We don't just sell products; we help design and create solutions that cater to you - this starts from the recommended products, apps, feature activated, locality and more!
Professional Installation: Our experts ensure that your system is set up perfectly.
Ongoing Support: We're here for you, whether it's a question or a tech upgrade.

Enhancing Your Home Security: Tips and Tricks

Let's get into some practical ways to boost your home's security with smart tech.

Start with the Basics

Smart Locks: Say goodbye to lost keys. Control access to your home remotely. I mean, we have all had those frantic "i've lost my key" or when your heart momentarily stops because you've closed the door but the key is still inside" moments!
Doorbell Cameras: See who's at the door before you even get up from your couch. Whether its family, Postie, Pet or Foe! you can say Hi! live, sound an alarm or turn on a light!

Level Up Your Security

Motion Sensors: Be alerted about any movement in and around your home. We help our customers personalise this to capture the tiniest movement in their flower gardens to turning off alerts for people they already know!
Smart Cameras: Keep tabs on every corner with live feeds and recordings. With so many options you let us know what you want and we deliver.

Integrate for Maximum Efficiency

Centralised Control: Manage all your security devices from a single app.
Automated Routines: Set up scenarios like turning on lights when motion is detected.

The Techery's Smart Security Solutions

At The Techery, we're passionate about making your home as safe as it can be. Here's a sneak peek into our smart security arsenal.

Cutting-Edge Products

AI-Powered Cameras: Advanced cameras that can differentiate between a pet and an intruder.
Environmental Sensors: Get alerts about smoke, water leaks, or unusual temperatures.

Tailored to Your Needs

Home Assessment: We evaluate your home to recommend the best setup.
Custom Installation: Our team installs and configures everything for you.
Post Installation: We are here to ensure the set up is running smoothly and you are the main operator. Our techs don't leave site without showing you how the use the app/devices and our customer service team is only a phone call away if needed!

Why Choose The Techery?

Choosing us for your smart security needs means you're opting for peace of mind.

Expertise: We know our stuff when it comes to smart security
Reliability: Our solutions are tried and tested.
Customer-Centric Approach: Your safety is our top priority, and we tailor our services to meet your unique needs.

The Human Touch in a Digital World

At The Techery, we believe in blending technology with a personal touch. Our team is always ready to assist, ensuring that your experience with smart security is smooth and stress-free. We're not just about gadgets; we're about building relationships and trust.

Smart Security: A Step Towards a Safer Future

Embracing smart security is more than just installing gadgets; it's about adopting a lifestyle that values safety, convenience, and peace of mind. As technology evolves, The Techery stays ahead of the curve, bringing you the latest and most effective solutions.

The Future is Smart (some of these are available but only on higher $$ spectrum or could do with some tweaks to make them smarter!)

Voice Control Integration: Imagine controlling your security system with just your voice.
Facial Recognition: Advanced systems that recognise family members and frequent visitors.
Integration with Smart Home Ecosystems: Seamless compatibility with other smart home devices.

Your Partner in Safety

Choosing The Techery means you're not just buying products; you're gaining a partner who's committed to your safety. We're here to guide, install, and support you every step of the way.

With The Techery, you're choosing a future where safety and technology go hand in hand. Ready to make your home smarter and safer? Reach out to us, and let's start this journey together!

Stay Safe, Stay Smart!