I’ve lived in many shared houses. Like… many many. I work from home, I’ve edited videos, produced music, played instruments, baked bread at 2am, and built home studios in 5 different properties over the last 10 years. I started with cheap basics, slowly upgraded, tested stuff that was amazinnngg… and stuff that was incredddible garbage.
These are the living-room bits that actually improved evenings instead of adding more buttons, apps, or stress. Okay okay okay I know I said “simple” but trust me, these are 👏GAME👏CHAN👏GER level without the faff.
Colour Changing Floor Lamp
This one surprised me. Soft ambient light that doesn’t scream “RGB gamer cave”. Perfect for late edits, Netflix, or when mates are round. I’ve had lamps like this across shared houses and studios, instant mood fix without touching the ceiling lights. Lazy lighting = happy evenings.
Smart LED Strips for Back of TV
Bias lighting is real. Your eyes feel better, the room feels warmer, and suddenly the TV looks fancier than it is. I’ve installed these in rentals, studios, and my current place. Cheap upgrade, big vibe shift. Once you try it… yeah you’re not going back.
Projector
Projectors sound extra until you live with one. Movie nights feel intentional. Gaming feels massive. Even casual YouTube while cooking (keen foodie here, always baking something) feels cinema-ish. I’ve dragged projectors through multiple houses and they always end up being the most-used thing.
Birdie 2.0 – Indoor CO2 Monitor & Air Quality Meter
This is sneaky-good. I work from home and didn’t realise stale air was nuking my focus. Birdie sits there quietly telling you when to open a window. Mental clarity up, headaches down. One of those adult purchases that actually helps. Also it’s just super cute.
ULTIMEA 7.1ch Virtual Surround Sound Bar
I’ve worked with audio for years and I’m picky. This setup hits way above its price. Clear dialogue, punchy bass, surround that actually surrounds. Film nights, games, even casual music listening, all leveled up. No AV-receiver rabbit hole. Plug in, done, enjoy.
YONISEE Lift Chair Recliner
Hear me out. I tested this thinking “nah”. Wrong. Long edit days, sore back, late-night baking cooldowns this thing fixes you. Heat, massage, USB ports, hidden drink holders. It’s comfy in a grown-up way, not ugly. Guests fight over it. Facts.
These are the bits that survived multiple moves, messy houses, work-from-home chaos, and real daily use. Not flashy tech for the sake of it, just stuff that made evenings calmer, warmer, better.
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The Electronic Guide 
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