This low-budget smart home project is perfect for taking the everyday task of opening and closing your blinds off your plate, even when you’re not home!

This small module can be attached to the pull cord of your blinds and will automate the opening and closing process at defined times each day. You can also utilize a joystick module for manual operation. The challenging part of this project is finding the appropriate stepper motor that can match the torque required for your specific blinds.

The other key to this project is the pully. The maker posted the 3D model and G-code of the pully he used for 3D printing this piece on GitHub. The model is suitable for beaded pull cords, so small adjustments may be needed for different setups, but don’t worry – the results pay off!

• Who designed it: Thomas K
• Core components: Arduino Esp8266, stepper motor, joystick module, breadboard, wires
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Where to find it: Medium, GitHub

Installing smart light switches requires a bit of an investment, as you have to purchase the light switches and the installation, and the wiring of the house has to be modified. Enter this maker’s solution: a 3D printed remote-controlled system.

This system is composed of a gear and rack that act together to press your light switch on or off. It’s assembled next to the traditional light switch and works at the push of a (remote-controlled) button. This way you don’t need to do permanent modifications, and you get to have fun with “automatic” lights!

• Who designed it: alanmerritt
• Core Components: Arduino Uno, servo motor, RF24 transceivers, pushbuttons, 3D printed parts
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Where to find it: Instructables

Having your own coffee machine makes for a great start to the morning, especially if it starts automatically.

As its name suggests, this project is an automatic coffee machine based on Arduino and Bluetooth. The setup allows you to work in a temperature sensor feature, which measures the initial and final temperature so that you can keep track of the preparation of the coffee. This can lead to four different messages, informing you whether there are any errors or how many cups of coffee can be prepared, based on the amount of water and the speed of the temperature increase.

The standout aspect of this coffee maker isn’t that it’s automatic, but rather that you can synch it with your smartphone through Bluetooth. Among the different apps for Bluetooth connection, the maker says they used Serial Bluetooth Terminal, so you already know that there’s an option that’ll work.

• Who designed it: Gyula Osi
• Core components: Arduino Nano or Uno, HC-05 Bluetooth module, DS18B20 temperature sensor, CD4017BE decade counter, ST7920 display
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Where to find it: Instructables

There are quite a few options for Neopixel clocks out there, but this one is particularly clever with a unique 10-segment display. The funky clock is an excellent addition to your house, and the colorful display is sure to perk you up. Thanks to the use of Neopixels with an Arduino, the color (and color changes) can be programmed to your liking!

The creator designed a custom PCB to accommodate the 42 LEDs that make up this clock and provides all the details needed to replicate it. The housing of the clock is 3D printable, and the provided color chart code is set to change color every minute.

• Who designed it: Edison Science Corner
• Core components: Arduino Pro Mini, DS3231 RTC module, NeoPixel LEDs, MT3608 booster module, TP4056 charging module, pushbuttons, 3D printed parts
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Where to find it: Instructables

As you can probably tell from its name, this project helps save on energy costs! It connects to your Android device’s GPS and utilizes an Arduino Uno and Blynk to automatically turn off appliances when you’ve left the specified location.

A Particle Photon serves as the “brains” of the project, and because it can only provide 3.3 V, the Arduino Uno needs to be connected to the 5-V relay for the power supply. The maker commented that an Arduino Nano can also be used.

• Who designed it: Dhairya Parikh
• Core components: Arduino Uno, Particle Photon, Android device, relay module
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Where to find it: Hackster

This isn’t just any old thermostat! It’s a smart tool that allows for full control over a heater, kitchen lights, and even bathroom fans. It’s controllable via Bluetooth or a set of buttons and an Android device, and is also customizable as the maker states that different displays can be used.

Additionally, this project has versions available for both Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature scales. This smart thermostat has open-window detection, error detection, and even an advanced build that includes voice control.

• Who designed it: Gyula Ősi
• Core components: Arduino Nano R3, HC-05 Bluetooth module, 1-wire digital thermometer, OLED 1306 I2C bicolor, 4-channel relay controller
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Where to find it: Hackster

While traditional irrigation systems operate on preset schedules and timers, smart irrigation controllers work by detecting various conditions. This project does just that: It detects dynamic water cycles, the sunrise, and temperature.

The maker notes that an I/O expander was used in this build, which simplifies the design in a number of ways. For example, there’s no need to write drivers for sensors, and it keeps the program light. It also eliminates cable length issues, and it requires a single power supply.

• Who designed it: Christian
• Core components: Arduino Nano, I/O expander
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Where to find it: Hackster

Stay Green

Arduino Watering System: 10 Projects to Keep Your Plants Alive

Create your own Bluetooth-controllable RGB ambient light with Arduino. Although this was made for the interior of a car, the same concept can be applied for home use.

The maker states that this build can be used with the Bluetooth RGB app, available for free from the Google Play store. Using a transistor, it can turn the lights on and off when not in use. There’s even a fade-in effect when the door is opened, and a fade-out effect when it’s closed!

• Who designed it: Ardumotive_com
• Core components: Arduino Uno, WS2812 5050 RGB LEDs, serial Bluetooth module, resistors, 2222A NPN transistor
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Where to find it: Instructables

This next project is a brilliant smart home solution to make sure your pet can only go outside within designated hours.

Using an Arduino Nano with a real-time clock module, you can set curfew hours that lock a pet door using servo motors. The project creator used a commercial pet door as the base, but many other models are suitable, including 3D printable pet doors. The included program even adjusts to daylight savings time.

• Who designed it: tareker
• Core components: Arduino Nano, Chronodot RTC module, servo motor, limit switches, pushbuttons, breadboard, LED
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Where to find it: Instructables

In this project, your web skills will be put to the test and used to control a light bulb in case you’re up for something different than an RC light switch.

The hardware components are pretty simple, as you only need an Arduino Uno with a PHPoC Wi-Fi shield and a few more small parts. The software is where it gets interesting, as a web-based user interface is necessary, and you can get as creative as you want.

While the creator of the project went for a fairly straightforward design, you can customize this as much as you want! And if you’ve any doubts, a maker who replicated the project has left the detailed steps they followed in the comments.

• Who designed it: Homer
• Core components: Arduino Uno, PHPoC Wi-Fi shield, PHPoC 4-port relay board, light bulb
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Where to find it: Hackster

To test for dangerous levels of air pollution in your backyard, creator Kutluhan Aktar has come up with an intriguing and sophisticated Arduino smart home project for users to measure ozone, nitrous oxide, and other weather data. Keep in mind that you will need several different sensors to build a complete station, so some experience with wiring is recommended. Users can also get first-hand experience with training AI to make predictions about air pollution using their own logged data!

In addition to sensors for certain gases, temperature, and moisture, the project also incorporates a camera to visually monitor weather conditions. The AI algorithm can then classify the air quality as clean, risky, or unhealthy. To bring it all together, the project creator provides a 3D printable housing for the whole system.

• Who designed it: Kutluhan Aktar
• Core components: Arduino Mega, Esp32, LattePanda 3 Delta, nitrogen dioxide sensor, ozone sensor, anemometer kit, DHT22 temperature and humidity sensor, IPS touch display, 3D printed parts
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Where to find it: Instructables

Are you interested in automating your home appliances through the Arduino Cloud, but not loving the control via a mobile phone app or desktop? Maybe you have a shared household with loved ones or roommates who want easy access to the automation dashboard as well. This project walks you through creating a dedicated home automation dashboard using an Arduino Giga display shield that acts as a mini tablet to control all of your automated home appliances.

The Arduino Giga display shield pairs with the Arduino Giga R1 board as the core of this project. If you don’t already have home appliances connected to the Arduino Cloud, you can check out techiesms’ previous video to get an overview of steps using an Arduino Nano.

Setting up your home dashboard with an Arduino Giga will take a fair amount of work in Arduino Cloud. In the project video, techiesms describes how to utilize LVGL documentation to build and configure widgets for the display. He even posted the code he uses at home on GitHub as an example. Not only is appliance automation possible, but you can also choose to connect sensors to monitor variables like temperature and humidity inside your home and have the values displayed on your dashboard.

• Who designed it: techiesms
• Core components: Arduino Nano, Arduino Giga R1, Arduino Giga display shield, relays and sensors of your choice
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Where to find it: YouTube

Say you’ve got a cluster of Raspberry Pis, and you don’t want them to overheat. What better than using a fan, and controlling it to avoid being too loud?

While the creator of this project used an Arduino Mini 05, which is discontinued, they say that any Arduino board should work.

To make this smart idea a reality, the fan you’ve added to your setup needs to have a Plus (red) pin, a Minus (black) pin, and a Speed pin. The instructions detail how these need to be connected, as well as the code that needs to be worked with, including, predictably, how to control the fan.

It’s a simple project that can mean a lot if your SBC of choice is working too hard and sweating. And if you’re coming across an error when setting everything up, a maker who replicated the project left a comment on how to avoid it.

• Who designed it: Monstermotte
• Core components: Arduino (any), fan (with PWM pin)
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Where to find it: Hackster

More Ideas, Different Starting Point

The 15 Most Useful Raspberry Pi Projects of 2023

Do you like to work out but are lazy about hitting the gym? Then this device will be interesting for you.

This project was created to solve two issues. First is keeping track of the number of repetitions – you don’t want to reach 19, get confused, and have to start all over again. Secondly, it ensures that the athlete pulls all the way up – no cheating! A buzzer will let you know that you’ve completed the pull-up.

You can connect your Arduino to a power supply or a 9-V battery, depending on what’s most comfortable. And for the design, you can make it a simple cardboard design like the maker did, or you can get creative. For the original, the maker cut two holes in cardboard, one for the sensor and one for the button, and an adhesive was used to stick the whole setup to the bar.

• Who designed it: rhiaan23
• Core components: Arduino Uno, HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor, piezo buzzer
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Where to find it: Instructables

In this helpful project appropriate for all levels of Arduino users, you’ll make a medication reminder system with an alarm and light to indicate which capsule is due for consumption. The system is great for you or another loved one who has multiple medications to manage at various intervals throughout the day.

With both a YouTube tutorial and written instructions, the project is perfect for beginners to get familiar with working with Arduino. An LCD displays the time from the RTC module, and you’ll utilize the buttons to set the desired reminder times. Once configured, the reminder will be given at the set times every day.

• Who designed it: JustDoElectronics
• Core components: Arduino Nano, LCD display, RTC DS3231 module, buttons, LEDs, PCB board
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Where to find it: YouTube, JustDoElectronics

Whether you want to make a life-improving item that will help your kids get candies without disturbing your sleep, or you want a treat after completing many pull-ups, this next project will be more than useful for you.

You can make this interesting project quite easily. Designing the circuit could be a little challenging, but not to worry. The tutorial includes all the necessary information. The maker also presented the circuit model as simulated in Tinkercad, so after checking that it’ll fit what you want to go for, you can copy the code.

For the enclosure itself, you can either get in touch with a service like Craftcloud by All3DP to take care of everything for you, or you can 3D print it yourself. Before doing the latter, though, consider the most important aspects of food-safe 3D printing and check out the best food-safe filaments.

• Who designed it: c26ab1
• Core components: Arduino Uno, HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Where to find it: Instructables

With this project, it may look like you’re playing chess with a phantom! But really, this internet-connected chessboard is based on an Esp32 and an Arduino Nano, letting you experience the feeling of playing chess with someone as if they were right across from you. The maker’s aim was to re-create the experience of playing over the board (OTB) while utilizing the technology available to us now.

Commands, such as starting the game, selecting an adversary, and showing game information, are sent by communicating with the Lichess server.

• Who designed it: carlos_pendas
• Core components: Arduino Nano 33 IoT, Esp32, Hall sensors, multiplexers, resistors, magnets, stepper driver, 12-V power adapter, slip ring (12 channels)
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Where to find it: Arduino Project Hub, Hackster

This automatic fish feeder is programmed to feed your fish every given hour, saving you the trouble of remembering and having to hurry home. Most fish feeders just shake a bottle every couple of hours, which is fine for small fish, but what about breeds that require more care?

This feeder can ration the exact amounts of flakes or beads your fish will get, so you don’t run the risk of overfeeding them. (There’s no such thing as a fish treadmill – yet?) For this, it uses a servo motor and a custom-designed food rationer that separates the fish food and lets it out one at a time. This way, you can customize the number of beads your fish gets in each feeding.

• Who designed it: Trevor_DIY
• Core Components: Arduino Uno, stepper motor, 3D printed parts
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Where to find it: Instructables

Feed All the Pets!

Arduino Pet Feeder: Amazing Projects for Cats & Dogs

Now for the home outside of home: The garden. Even though mowing the lawn isn’t an everyday chore, it is a tiresome one. This clever project called Mowerino will take care of mowing the lawn from now on. It’s equipped with ultrasonic sensors to detect collisions, an inclinometer to prevent tipping, and a voltmeter to detect battery percentage. It also has a screen where you get feedback on the current stage of the machine.

It can work autonomously, which means you can just release it in the garden and let it do its thing. Or it can work with remote control through a phone thanks to a Bluetooth module.

But a big warning! This system uses sharp blades to mow the grass, so it shouldn’t be used as a toy or by kids, and make sure that your pet won’t try to fight it.

• Who designed it: salmec
• Core Components: Arduino Mega, motor driver board, geared motors, lawn mower blades, 3D printed parts
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Where to find it: Arduino Project Hub, Hackster

Quality water, quality life. In this project, you will make a system to monitor the quality of water by measuring parameters like the water’s pH, temperature, dissolved solids (TDS), and more. These can provide enough data about water quality, which makes this application useful in water treatment plants and for monitoring natural water bodies.

In addition to the hardware and software setups, the thorough tutorial also includes calibration steps, waterproofing tips, and data retrieval, among much more!

Since it’s a time-consuming project and there are plenty of components and issues, like technical difficulties or software errors, which may come up, there are a few troubleshooting tips provided by the creators of the project.

• Who designed it: RowlesGroupResearch
• Core Components: Arduino Uno, SD card reader module, MicroSD card, waterproof case (or 3D print one), waterproof temperature sensor, analog turbidity sensor, analog TDS sensor
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Where to find it: Instructables