There has never been a greater demand for the ever-changing role technology plays in our daily lives. For renters, it has become increasingly important for newer devices to have Bluetooth accessibility options. This grants renters the creative freedom to perform upgrades to help modernize an apartment, without having to hard wire!

At Camden, we pride ourselves on having the newest upgrades, including our smart door locks. Most of our Camden communities include Chirp Access, where you can access your front door, common area entry points, and amenities, all with a push of a button!

Photo courtesy of Camden Durham in Durham, NC

Smart Lighting

One of the easiest ways to transform a space is by adding smart lighting options to your home. Installing these bulbs will allow you to change the mood of your apartment almost instantly. For example, if you want to warm up your apartment, you can use smart bulbs to add a hue of orange to your light fixtures. On the flip side, if you want cooler tones, you can change the hue to a brighter white.

Smart bulbs are not for everyone. There are other options you can try if you want just the accessibility of turning your devices on or off from your smartphone or other devices.

Smart Plugs

When you think of modernizing your space, you typically think of physical upgrades that appeal to the eye. Some upgrades can be just for that, but some tools have a deeper purpose, like smart plugs.

Things to consider when thinking about purchasing a smart plug:

• How can this device help with your day-to-day?

• How do I choose the right one?

• How many do I need?

Smart plugs are an affordable option that serves many uses in a home. They can be used for lamps and devices that you may not need to use all the time or for fixtures that may be hard to reach. If you enjoy starting your morning off with a cup of coffee, having your coffee maker plugged into a smart plug can save you that bit of time by creating an automatic routine. Don’t have a coffee maker? Some of our Camden communities, like Camden Central, offer a 24-hour onsite market that has all your pick-me-ups to start your day off strong.

Photo courtesy of Camden Central in St Petersburg, FL

Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats are a great way to ensure you stay comfortable year-round while also helping you be energy efficient! If you think about manual thermostats, you have to physically be there in person to adjust the temperature, which could change overnight or even midday. With smart thermostats, you can remotely change the temperature of your space directly from your smartphone. This can help contribute to lowering your electric bill while modernizing your space with an appealing touchscreen surface.

Smart Air Purifiers

When considering apartment upgrades, air purifiers are typically overlooked as something not lucrative to improving the quality of life. Air purifiers have come a long way, starting with just a standard button to turn on and off, but now you have purifiers that will give you a plethora of insight directly to your smartphone.

Things to consider when thinking about purchasing a smart air purifier:

• What is the square footage of your apartment?

• Is the device energy efficient?

• What is the ongoing cost of replacement filters?

• Is the device compatible with your smartphone?

In conjunction with having a smart air purifier, replacing your air filter every month is crucial to help combat unwanted particles and impurities from the air. On the bright side, Camden residents can place a service request online to have their filter changed monthly at no cost!

Photo courtesy of Camden – Left to Right: Jose Diaz (Maintenance Supervisor) and David Stevens (Maintenance Supervisor)

Smart Home Gadgets

There are a surprising number of renter-friendly smart home security gadgets and devices available on the market! One great option is a video doorbell that installs in place of your existing peephole with little to no damage to your door frame.

Before installing, make sure to check your lease for permissions and ask your leasing office team about which devices are allowed. Depending on your community, maintenance can be equipped with the skills to install it for you!

Want to further your creativity?

Curating your home with these upgrades doesn’t have to be stressful. Doing a small amount of research, reading the reviews, and looking at warranty information are key things to look out for before purchasing. You’ll be amazed by the number of options you will find, and pleasantly shocked by the difference it will make in your apartment!

If you are still interested in further upgrading features in your apartment, check out this helpful guide on other home improvements!