Modernizing Your Rural Home

Living in a rural area does not mean you have to settle for less when it comes to your home. You can own an incredibly modern house, filled with all the latest-and-greatest technology, regardless of where you are. From high-speed internet and home security, to secondary power and online gaming – you can have it all. That’s why today we wanted to help with some helpful tips to help modernize your rural home.

Secondary Power Provider

When it comes to having a modern home, power is required by just about anything. In rural areas, making sure you have a reliable power provider is essential – especially if you’re choosing to live an off-grid lifestyle. If you’re able to get conventional power from a provider, that’s an easy route to providing power to your dwelling, but if you aren’t – you’ll need a great secondary source of power. Wind and hydropower are viable options for some, but solar power technology has come so far in recent years, and is a real option for many homeowners now.

Even if you do have a conventional energy provider, investing in a secondary option such as solar or generator power can be a smart route to take when living in a rural option. When bad weather or natural disaster strikes, the ability to provide your own energy can be incredibly helpful.

High-Speed Internet

Once you’re confident in your home’s power supply, it’s time to tackle high-speed internet. Just about every modern device you’d like to have requires an internet connection, and there are quite a few options for rural homeowners to weigh. Sometimes, conventional cable internet can reach rural homes – but satellite internet almost always can. Thanks to an ever-growing fleet of satellites, internet providers such as HughesNet can offer a high-speed connection to homes all across the continental United States.

Satellite internet technology has progressed at an impressive pace over the last few years, and really can provide a reliable high-speed connection for you and your whole family!

Powerful Wireless Network

Now, you have a great home internet provider, and it’s time to make sure that signal reaches every device you want it to! That requires a powerful wireless network, mostly relying on the quality and reach of your modem and router. When looking for a wireless modem, rural homeowners should be sure to check their approximate reach, signal strength, maximum amount of connections and more. It’s always a great idea to look at reviews of a potential product you’re going to purchase to ensure it’s exactly what you’re looking for.

Many providers, such as HughesNet, offer modems directly with their services – which makes this whole process easy. Also, many modems include features such as Guest WiFi networks, which can make connecting your home’s guests a breeze.

Wireless Devices + Smartphones

Once your high-speed internet connection is live, it’s time to connect all of your devices. Obviously, everyone will want to connect their smartphones to your home WiFi network, to cut down on wireless data plan usage. Using your home internet connection will allow for smoother streaming, video calls, uploading to social media platforms, and more.

You’ll also want to connect other devices such as tablets and e-readers, so make sure you can get the most out of them. One of our favorite trends in modern home design is having a “home tablet” that can control smart home programs and really impress your guests.

Upgraded Home Security + Smart Home Features

Another very important facet of modernizing your rural home is the unfortunate necessity of upgraded home security. While no one wants to spend on a home security system, there are a lot of great cost effective options that give you peace of mind, and allow you to monitor your home, no matter where you are. It’s really up to you to devise exactly what you’re looking for, but a few wireless cameras in key areas is always a good idea in our book!

Smart home features aren’t just all about security – you can have some fun with it too! If you’re looking to really provide a “wow” factor, things such as online sound or light systems can allow you to control lightning fixtures or sound systems throughout your house; often synchronizing the two together. While it certainly isn’t the most necessary feature out there, it can really bring your home to the next level.

Laptops + Computers

While smartphones really have become the dominant device in our day-to-day lives, laptops and home computers are still a mainstay for many of us. Having a laptop or desktop in the house can really make some tasks easier, such as paying online bills, video conferencing, online shopping, and more. Plus, having a reliable computer is essential for people who choose to work from home or are taking classes from home!

A dedicated full desktop setup may be needed for people who need a rig with a ton of computing power, such a video or photo editor, but a laptop will generally work for just about everyone else. Laptops can be set up in a permanent location just like a desktop, but also allows you the flexibility to go mobile if needed. So, if you’re looking to upgrade your home’s devices – a laptop can be a great addition!

Smart TV’s

One of the easiest ways to really upgrade your rural home is to invest in a smart tv. They are generally pretty affordable, and provide you with a ton of features that are sure to impress. Smart TV’s do everything a standard television set can do, but also come packed with a huge variety of streaming platforms and apps. That means you can watch everything from on-demand movies to live television, all in one convenient location.

Just about every streaming service has a smart TV app, such as Hulu, HBO, and Netflix – as well as many live tv providers like Sling TV, Fubo, and YouTube TV. Entertainment is an important piece of modernizing your rural home, and a smart tv helps you take a huge step forward!

Next-Gen Gaming

The video gaming industry commands an impressive $240 billion market cap, and it shows no size of slowing down. With the newest generation of home consoles out now, there’s never been a better time to upgrade. If you’re looking for a system that the whole family can enjoy, the Nintendo Switch may be a great choice! If you’re looking for more hardcore games and experiences, either of the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S would suit your needs. VR gaming has also become incredibly popular, with standalone systems such as the Meta Quest 3 or Valve Index readily available.

Gaming systems not only play games themselves, but can serve as a media hub for video streaming and more! Plus, subscription services such as Microsoft GamePass give you access to hours of content for pennies on the dollar. If you’re looking to modernize your home, a next-gen video game console is a great way to provide endless hours of entertainment!

Modernizing Your Rural Home Today!

If you’re trying to modernize your rural home with the newest technology, there are so many routes you can go that it may seem overwhelming. That’s why it’s so important to really take account of what is important to you and your family. Do you love to host big parties with music? Then smart home audio features should be prioritized! Are you a family of avid gamers? Then it’s probably time to upgrade to that PlayStation 5! If you’re looking for high-speed internet in a geographically isolated area? Then HughesNet may be a great choice for you.

Once you’ve found the routes you want to upgrade your home – start looking for some great deals or specials and make your move. There’s never a bad time to start improving your home.