Smart technology that will make your home reno easier

Technology has encroached into "virtually" every aspect of our lives (pun intended). You can do everything from vacuuming your home while you're at work to controlling your lights while you're on a beach in the tropics. Finding the right products, contractors or instructional manuals to begin your home reno has been simplified to a few mouse clicks or app download.

Smart technology has changed the way we design and decorate our homes. No matter your age or skill level, using some of the new methods listed below will make your home reno project faster and easier:

Planning

This is the most important part of a home reno project and using the latest tools available for your computer, tablet or smartphone will streamline the process.

Home Design 3D (iOS and Android) allows you to layout the room and place furniture based on your specific needs. It gives you furniture and accessory templates to quickly select and place. You may need to upgrade to save your designs, but it allows you to visualize the new space and take the guesswork out of planning.

Perhaps you’re ready to finish your basement but have no idea how to design the floor plan in the area. Try out a scanning app that creates a variety of floor plans to choose from by touching your phone to each wall. Add in windows, doors, and even stairs for a complete layout designed to scale.

You may not know how to measure a room to figure out how much carpeting or paint you'll need, but no worries because there’s an app for that too! Another freebie for iOS and Android, MagicPlan helps you measure the room and create a floor plan by taking photos. Use simple on-screen tools to mark corners, door frames and windows, and create a floor plan with usable dimensions.

Have you ever started a reno project, written down dimensions on a little slip of paper and somehow misplaced it by the time you arrived at the store? Well, those days are over. Photo Measures (iOS and Android) allows you to take your own photos and easily note relevant dimensions right on your photo for future reference. The app also lets you zoom in for more detail and even organizes your photos for easy reference.

To help organize, execute and share your renovation projects, try out HandyMobi (iOS and Android), a new DIY app and web service. You can create your own projects or check out other user ideas. It allows you to purchase materials, rent tools, view videos and instructions, and even contact support.

Don’t forget about budget! Kukun is an all-in-one tool for determining which projects will provide the best return, how long it will take to recoup your dollars, and if a smaller, less-expensive job will provide an even better ROI.

Designing

We all like to think we've got great taste, but we all need a little help once in a while. Luckily for you, a digital design team is always available.

Pinterest provides design ideas unparalleled by any other app or service. Type in a keyword, find an image of what you want your finished project to look like, and visit the site to find out what you'll need to make your very own pins.

Houzz is another professional design resource that provides access to millions of high-res photos, virtually try products in your home, and even use the sketch feature to markup photos to correspond with your own personal design needs. Use community forums to get advice from other users or contact a professional.

Tap Painter lets you select from several major paint manufacturers, upload your room photo, choose a paint colour and tap the walls on the photo. Your new colour will digitally appear on your photo and even preserve shadows for a true view of the new colour.

All of this may seem overwhelming, so by now you may have decided you’re not experienced enough to complete your project on your own. Eieihome.com makes it easy to find the home service professional that is the right fit for your big home reno!

The world of home improvement has changed for the better. You're no longer left guessing how to do the work, what materials you need, how much they'll cost or if you're getting the best contractor to do the work. By using smart technology, you can make your home reno easier and feel confident it was done right.