If you’re working on a luxury home automation project and want to make sure you future proof your system, check out our summary of the top 4 trends in home automation:
1. Voice control is penetrating all sections of the residential market, including luxury homes
We’ve all heard about the astronomical growth of Alexa over recent years (with related hilarious stories of doll’s houses being accidentally delivered to unsuspecting parents in America!).
We’re being asked more and more for voice control to be integrated into luxury home automation systems proving this is as true for the luxury home automation market as it is in the mainstream.
This shouldn't be a problem for an experienced, qualified home automation installer.
So, if you want to make sure your integrated system is keeping track of the latest technology, make sure you discuss how voice control can help deliver the functionality you want in your project.
2. The number of technology systems in homes is increasing, potentially giving rise to more unsightly controls
From internet radio to TV and music on demand to lighting and shade to security, door bells, heating and even ovens, it seems everything now has it’s own internet controlled system!
The middle market is operating multiple systems through individual control units, smart phones and tablets. But luxury homeowners naturally expect the very best technology without the messiness of several remotes and without having to find and launch an app on their tablet to switch on their TV.
This is why integrated control systems like Crestron, Lutron, Control 4 and Savant are continuing to see rapid growth in luxury residential market.
3. ‘Everything’ is being delivered by the internet, meaning fast, reliable IT is a prerequisite of any well-functioning control system
The days of integrated systems requiring a huge cupboard under the stairs is starting to disappear. Just think about it - devices like TVs now have their own servers built in, music is streamed and video is downloaded on demand rather than being held on servers (never mind on discs!).
This in turn is driving a trend towards different family members watching or listening to different content on different devices around the home.
Now that so many systems are network based, it is super important that a good, secure IT infrastructure is in place in your residential project.
It can save a lot of headaches down the line when homeowners plan this in a project's early stages.
4. TVs are getting bigger and digital art is taking off
As TVs have grown exponentially over recent years, we’ve found it’s become more and more important to clients to have screens subtly incorporated into room schemes.
Related to this, we are now seeing a new development in the requirement that TVs don’t ‘ruin’ a beautifully designed room scheme: TVs are starting to become featured artwork!
An example is the next generation TV from Samsung : ‘The Wall’.
The Wall is currently in its early stages of development but as the technology becomes more accessible, we predict these types of screens will transform the TV and home cinema market.
What is perhaps even more exciting though is, with expansive screens and microLED technology there’s enormous scope for screens to not only display TV and movies, but also to showcase dynamic artwork.
To see what we mean, just check out this video from Samsung :
We know – the mind buckles! Exciting times are ahead for the interior architecture market.