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With the help of a few common digital tools, you can transform your wireless device into a household control center that simplifies home upkeep.
Boost Your Photographic Memory
Here are better uses for your smartphone camera than taking selfies:
1. Take the guesswork out of repair projects.
- Remember how to put items back together by taking pictures of them before you take them apart.
- Need to pick up a few new parts? Take photos of the old parts to help you pick the right replacements at the store.
- For repair projects that require a pro, share a picture with your contractor before he gets to the job. He’ll have a better idea of what to expect upon arrival and will be more likely to bring the right tools.
2. Create photo albums. Use this basic smartphone function to arrange pictures into organized collections for easy reference. You can document:
- Your home’s infrastructure. Take pictures of your home’s wiring, plumbing and insulation when walls are exposed during renovations and repairs so you will know where things are located next time you need to find them.
- Your home’s inventory. Take pictures of your possessions for insurance purposes.
- Your lighting preferences. Remember the best bulb for each fixture with pictures.
- Your circuit breakers. Use your camera to document what’s connected to each two-pole (240 volts) and single-pole (120 volt) breaker.
- All your paint colors. Photograph paint cans and swatches so you remember each color’s name and brand. You can do the same for flooring, tile and wallpaper.
- Your home improvements. Build up some bragging rights: Take before, during and after photos of your latest project
