Smart finds that create happier rhythms at home

In this day and age, smart features have become a common request in residential spaces.

Automated lighting, voice-activated assistants, connected security systems, and multi-room audio are now considered everyday essentials.

A smart home simplifies daily routines and enhances overall quality of life. More than just technology, it is about creating a space that works seamlessly for you.

For me, a smart home doesn’t have to be expensive. It simply means a well-thought-out environment designed around my day-to-day needs and habits.

When you start exploring the market, you’ll find a lot of home décor pieces and gadgets that could make your life better. Think in terms of efficiency, and consider the time, movement, and lifestyle of each individual within the space.

Here are a few items I’ve come across that can help make your home smarter. These are personal finds that have helped me prepare for each day.

Trivet with holders

I’ve only found this item in one store—Alessi. This foldable trivet with rubber handles helps save space, since you won’t need separate kitchen mitts to serve hot dishes.

For me, it’s a real time and space saver, especially if you like bringing hot pans straight from the cooktop to the dining table.

Wall mounted shoe storage

I found these upright metal shoe drawers that are perfect for compact spaces. They can be placed neatly against a wall, making them ideal for small spaces. I came across them at Kare.

Wine station dispenser

This gadget brings your wine to your desired temperature and can dispense and preserve opened bottles for up to seven days. It saves me storage space, since there’s no longer a need for a separate wine chiller.

Wireless bottle lamps with stoppers

These little gadgets are quite fun to us. They come in different metallic shades, light up like table lamps, and can also double as stoppers for your liquor bottles.

Zip HydroTap

This under-sink appliance provides instant filtered chilled, boiling, and sparkling water from a single tap. It also comes with its own dedicated faucet.

It’s an incredibly convenient addition at home, and in our case, it even encourages my children to drink more water since it’s easily accessible in our open kitchen.

The Zip HydroTap is available at Cenit.

Painting tracks with guide

Hanging large paintings can feel like a big commitment at home. A smarter option is to make them doubly functional as a sliding partition or even a TV cover. This is available at Veris.

Two-way wall light

Reading by your bedside is always a pleasure, especially if you have ample lighting. I’m fond of dual function lamps that can be adjusted to provide either indirect or direct lighting, depending on your needs.

Memo pads

This is definitely old school, but for women experiencing menopausal brain fog, it can be life-changing.

I first discovered this simple technique during a stay at The Upper House in Hong Kong. The suites had mini leather notepads in every space—by the bedside, at the bar, on the study desk, beside the bathtub, and even near the toilet. Being able to jot down thoughts wherever I was helped me stay organized in the morning and remember everything I needed for the day.

Inspired by this, I had my own mini leather notepads customized by Prizmic and Brill.

Three-way hand shower

Massage, rain shower, cold mist—these are the three best settings worth having on any shower head.

Multi-temperature cup

I first saw this on Instagram as an ad, but how can you not love a cup that can turn icy cold or super hot at the push of a button?

Clothing rods with built in led strip lights

These are not new, but their efficiency is still worth highlighting. Imagine having a hanging rod in your closet with a built-in LED light that casts a soft beam across your clothes on hangers, giving you better visibility. It’s especially useful if you own a lot of black apparel.

Heating lunchbox

A rechargeable lunchbox that can heat up your food while in the office is a life hack.

Rolling bar cart

A rolling bar cart is a need for me–best for serving and holding drinks.

Turtle bookstand

This cute turtle sculpture by Queeboo doubles as a bookstand that lets you stack books so they appear to float on the turtle’s back. It works especially well in the corners of small spaces.

Himpel bathroom ventilator

This is a fantastic exhaust fan that can dehumidify, help dry your body and hair, and ventilate your bathroom. I absolutely love mine–it keeps the temperature at a comfortable level.

Toilet paper stand

This may be an old item, but I can’t live without it. A stand that can hold four to six rolls while still looking good is a must-have in all my bathrooms.

Ninja Slushie

It brings back memories of Icee slushies. The Ninja Slushi can turn almost any soft drink into an icy, slushie-style beverage. It’s versatile–you can use different juices to make drinks more interesting, and it’s especially helpful for whipping up frozen margaritas in an instant.

The author is the founder of Chat Fores Design Studio, an award-winning and recognized interior designer known for redefining and elevating spaces. She specializes in residential, hospitality and amenity spaces for different real estate companies. Chat has also collaborated with international design firms to create residential interiors in Manila