What is the definition of a smart home? According to Wikipedia a smart home is: "Home automation, also called domotics, is the residential extension of "building automation". It is automation of the home, housework or household activity. Home automation may include centralized control of lighting, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), appliances, and other systems, to provide improved convenience, comfort, energy efficiency and security."

Have you ever seen a smart home? The first time I fell in love with one was when I watched the movie "The Holiday" starring Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz. Their characters in the movie swapped houses during the holidays. Kate's house was a picturesque cottage in Surrey while Cameron Diaz' house was a Smart Home in Beverly Hills. When I saw the scene where Kate Winslet, who had jet lag, was about to sleep during broad daylight, and she accidentally pressed the button for the blinds of the room, making it look pitch black and night time, I was impressed and jealous of the technology. I want to have my own smart home someday.

Here are some of the things that I want automated in my house:

1. Gate. Whether I've just arrived and about to park the car or I'm on my way to work, an automated gate can open and close with just a push of a button. It would also come in handy when it's raining so I wouldn't have to get myself drenched in rain just to open and close the gate.
2. Motion Detectors and Security Systems. I will be notified via mobile phone when a motion sensor in my security system identifies an unauthorized movement. I can also select and view images from my installed security camera live from an Internet source to my home or business.
3. Lights. Automation of lights means that I could turn on and off all, some or just one light source (depending on my program). I could even regulate the number of lights depending on the ambient light available.
4. Intercoms. My house with has two floors and several rooms, so an intercom would be convenient to have. If I have an intercom, I don't have to go upstairs just to ask my husband a quick question or knock on everyone's room for breakfast.

Contractors say that the best time to decide whether you want home automations is during the construction stage of the house so that wiring would be planned. However, if your house has been constructed and you want to automate your home, if you've got a wireless home, converting your house into a smart home is possible. The important thing is that whether it's wired or wireless, you have a home network that works.