When thinking about smart home tech, the focus is usually on the “smart” part. What can the device or product do to improve the homeowner’s life? How can it simplify tasks, increase security, or make daily living more convenient? Aesthetics of smart home tech often take a back seat. In the past few years, however, we’ve seen growth in the design of home tech.
Heard and Not Seen
A common theme in the appearance of smart devices and interfaces is that they blend seamlessly into any background. You should be able to hear them (speakers and voice assistants) yet visually they should be as low-key as possible. Many mainstays in the field of home automation have made near-invisibility their goal when it comes to aesthetics.
Smart home assistant company Josh.ai is known for their impressively compact devices; their Nano model is only a bit bigger than a quarter. When it comes to disappearing acts, Sonance is arguably the leader among speakers. Their Invisible Series is installed directly into walls or ceilings and then finished over with the same material as the surrounding wall. The end result is an impressively immersive audio experience unhindered by any distracting visuals.
Designed to be Seen
Arguably the most visible part of a smart home is the TV. It’s also the least able to blend into its surroundings. For years the only option was a projector screen that could be rolled up or down on demand. While projectors are still popular and provide good home theater options, the aesthetic possibilities of TVs have shifted.
Clever architectural design can hide a TV, retracting it into the ceiling or descending into a piece of millwork. However, you may wish to keep it on display. Many companies are promoting their products as prominent design features. Digital art and subscription services that curate collections can transform a TV. The screen is longer a black rectangle, but a canvas for making a design statement. Samsung’s Frame is an example of harnessing the potential in a TV for impacting a room’s aesthetics. With multiple options for matching the frame to your home’s look and a dedicated art mode to simplify the transition, it’s easier than ever to embrace installing a TV in any space.
Tech That Enhances
Between fading into the background and prominently setting the tone, there are lots of options for choosing smart home tech that enhances the look of a beautifully decorated home. These devices and products offer options that align with any design aesthetic. Savant’s Ascend keypads provide a minimalist look in an array of finishes to compliment everything from a modern penthouse to a mid-mod beachfront home. Bowers and Wilkins’ Zeppelin wireless speaker sports a distinct shape that could read as funky in a brightly colored, 70s vibe media room or futuristic in a neutrally outfitted room with sleek lines. In many cases, companies are designing their products to enhance the look and feel of a home, whatever that may be.
Whether designed to fade into the background, stand out from the crowd, or complement the surroundings, smart home tech looks better than ever.
Responsive Living, the term coined by Acoustic Architects founders, Aaron Flint and Spencer Hauldren, is the concept of seamlessly enhancing the client’s unique lifestyle using smart home technology. Responsive Living allows you to interact with your space via touch input, voice command, and predictive automation, placing you in full control of your home.
If you would like to learn more about integrating new systems into your smart home system, feel free to connect with us. We will be happy to schedule a demo with you.
For more information, visit acousticarchitects.net.
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