10 Daily Tasks You Can Automate

Published on May 1, 2025

by Alex Keeps

One of the greatest benefits of having a smart home is letting technology take over the repetitive stuff. With a few well-placed devices and a little setup, you can automate everyday routines so your home runs itself—giving you more time, energy, and peace of mind.

Why Automating Daily Tasks Makes a Difference

Automation removes decision fatigue from your day. When lights turn on, coffee brews, or thermostats adjust automatically, you’re not only saving time—you’re also freeing up mental space to focus on more important things.

These automations don’t require advanced programming or tons of devices. Many are simple, reliable routines you can create using built-in options in your smart home app or assistant.

Top Daily Tasks to Hand Off to Smart Tech

These 10 automations are simple to set up and make your life noticeably easier.

1. Turn On Lights at Sunrise or Sunset

Use your smart lights or plugs to automatically turn on or off based on the sun’s position—no timers needed.

Why this is helpful every day:

Uses natural daylight instead of fixed times
Keeps lights off during the day to save energy
Ideal for entryways and porches
No need to adjust settings throughout the year
Works with most smart bulbs and switches

2. Start Coffee Before You Wake Up

Connect your coffee maker to a smart plug and set it to turn on just before your alarm goes off.

Perks of an automated morning brew:

Wake up to a freshly brewed pot
No need to fiddle with buttons in the morning
Pairs well with wake-up light routines
Smart plugs cost under $25
Saves time in your morning rush

3. Adjust Thermostat Before You Get Home

Schedule your thermostat to warm or cool the house right before you arrive, so it’s perfect by the time you walk in.

Benefits of climate control automation:

Avoids wasted energy while you’re away
Comes home to the perfect temperature
Set different schedules for weekdays vs weekends
Can be tied to GPS or time of day
Supports energy-saving habits

4. Lock Doors at Night Automatically

Set your smart lock to engage every evening at a certain time, so you never have to double-check.

Reasons to automate this task:

Adds a layer of passive security
Reduces nighttime forgetfulness
Peace of mind without effort
You can still override manually
Great for families with children

5. Turn Off Lights When No One’s Home

Use presence detection or schedules to shut off unnecessary lights when you leave the house.

Why this saves time and money:

Lower energy bills automatically
No more leaving lights on by accident
Supports eco-friendly living
Can use geofencing or motion sensors
Great for multi-person households

6. Remind Yourself to Take Meds or Supplements

Smart speakers or routines can announce reminders at key times, keeping your health habits consistent.

Benefits of automating reminders:

Improves consistency with routines
Works hands-free via voice assistant
Can be triggered by a time or phrase
Perfect for daily vitamins or meds
Easy to update or adjust reminders

7. Play Music When You Start Cooking

Set a routine so your favorite playlist starts when you activate a smart plug or motion sensor in the kitchen.

Ways this improves your experience:

Makes cooking more fun and engaging
Eliminates manual music setup
Start playlists via motion or buttons
Can pair with smart displays or speakers
Works with Spotify, Apple Music, and more

8. Trigger Goodnight Routine with One Phrase

With one command like “Goodnight,” turn off lights, lock doors, and lower the thermostat in one go.

Why a bedtime routine matters:

Simplifies end-of-day routines
Triggers multiple actions at once
Eliminates last-minute tasks
Voice or app activated
Highly customizable

9. Run a Robot Vacuum on a Schedule

Program your robot vacuum to clean specific rooms on certain days without any input.

Advantages of automating cleaning:

Keeps floors clean without thinking
Choose quiet hours or targeted rooms
Set-and-forget routines save time
Pauses automatically when docked
Reduces the need for manual vacuuming

10. Get Weather & Calendar Briefings in the Morning

Set your smart speaker to give you a quick daily update as soon as you turn on a light or motion is detected.

Why this makes mornings smoother:

Know what’s ahead before you leave home
Delivered automatically without asking
Can include traffic updates and reminders
Pairs well with morning light or coffee routines
Starts your day with clarity

Why This Matters

Automation gives you back minutes and mental space throughout your day. By offloading small but repetitive tasks, your smart home supports your lifestyle without you having to think about it.

Over time, even minor automations add up. Whether you’re managing a family, a busy workday, or just want a smoother flow, these tools help your home respond to you rather than the other way around.

Tips for Beginners

Not all automation needs to be complex. Start with simple routines that support how you already live.

These beginner tips will help you automate with confidence:

Use built-in routine templates to get started
Test one automation before adding others
Label devices clearly in your app for easier control
Stick to one ecosystem to avoid confusion
Start with high-impact tasks like lighting or temperature

Further Advice for Smarter Automations

Automation evolves as your needs do. These additional ideas help make your system more effective over time.

Keep these suggestions in mind as you grow your smart home:

Review automations monthly to tweak timings
Use motion sensors for low-traffic areas
Combine routines with voice commands for flexibility
Keep backups of complex routines in app notes

Takeaway

Automating daily tasks is one of the most rewarding parts of smart home living. It’s not about showing off gadgets—it’s about removing friction from your day. With a few smart setups, you can make your home more efficient, more comfortable, and more attuned to your life, every single day.