12 Smart Home Buys You Didn’t Know You Needed

Not too long ago, it might have been hard to imagine the smartphone-centric life as we know it, with countless comforts and conveniences available at the touch of a button. These days, it seems just about everyone depends on their tiny, handheld wonders to simplify day-to-day tasks, both big and small: setting alarms, getting play-by-play directions, finding potential dates, proving your point mid-conversation courtesy of a quick Google search.

But, when it comes to smart technology, why limit your options to a telephone? Swap just one or two items in your home — like your thermostat or that old, clunky AC unit you found on Craigslist years ago — for a sleeker, smarter model, and you're on your way to simpler, more streamlined living. Here, we've got 12 examples to get you started.