Smart home is a solution that just a few years ago seemed a luxury reserved for technological enthusiasts. Today it is increasingly a standard in modern apartments – regardless of the square footage. Automatic control of lighting, heating, blinds or household appliances and electronics not only makes life more comfortable, but can also significantly reduce bills and improve security. In this post, we’ll take a look at how to approach the topic of a smart home from an interior design perspective, and why it’s worth considering smart solutions already at the design stage.
What exactly is a smart home?
Asmart home is an integrated ecosystem of electronic devices that can be controlled remotely – most often via a mobile app, voice commands or set schedules. Depending on the user’s needs, a smart home can range from simple light control to full management of temperature, alarms, blinds or even coffee makers.
Modern smart systems are modular and flexible – you can start with one device and expand the entire infrastructure over time. This makes the technology also available for apartments in blocks of apartments, not just for large single-family houses.
What smart solutions are available on the market?
Lighting in the smart home
One of the most popular smart home system components is remote-controlled lighting. We can change not only the intensity, but also the color of the light – which is great for building a mood depending on the time of day. Popular brands include Philips Hue, Ikea Tradfri, Yeelight or LIFX. It’s also possible to create so-called “light scenes” – e.g. “cinema,” “dinner,” “morning” – which turn on with a single click.
Heating and air conditioning
Smart thermostats allow you to adjust the temperature in your apartment to the actual rhythm of the day – the heating can automatically turn off when household members leave for work, and return just before they return. Examples: Netatmo, Tado, Google Nest. Such solutions not only increase convenience, but also help save on energy bills.
Blinds, curtains, awnings in the smart home
Remote-controlled window shades are not only a convenience, but also an element of aesthetics – we can dispense with traditional chain mechanisms altogether. In many cases, roller blinds work with light sensors or pre-programmed scenarios, such as closing automatically after dark or in bright sunlight.
Multimedia
Multi-room audio and video systems are becoming increasingly popular. They allow you to control music throughout the apartment, with the ability to select the sound source and volume in individual rooms. A well-planned smart audio system can be almost invisible – speakers built into the ceiling or wall do not disturb the interior design.
Security
Alarm systems, cameras, door sensors, smoke detection or flooding detection – all of these can be integrated into a single control panel. What’s more, mobile apps inform the owner of any event in real time, giving a great sense of control and security.
How to plan a smart home in interior design?
When to start?
The best time to implement a smart home system is during the interior design or general renovation stage. This allows you to plan the appropriate arrangement of outlets, lighting points, cable routes (if you choose wired solutions) and aesthetically integrate the devices with the interior design.
What to include in the design?
- Location of the system’s control panel (if required) – it is often best placed in a switchboard or separate technical cabinet.
- Lighting and power zones – plan which luminaires will be hooked up to smart controls and which will not.
- Cable ducts – with wired solutions, such as KNX, you have to take into account cable routes in the walls.
- The aesthetics of the devices – some smart switches may differ in appearance from the classic ones. Match them cohesively with the rest of your decor.
Cooperation with an interior designer
A good interior designer should be aware of the available smart solutions and be able to plan their arrangement in an aesthetically pleasing and functional way. It is good if the architect works with the system installer or has his own experience in this area.
Does investing in a smart home pay off?
Daily benefits
- Convenience – you control your home from an app or voice, without having to get up from the couch.
- Savings – better control over energy consumption means real financial benefits.
- Aesthetics – fewer wires, fewer switches, more functional solutions hidden in the design.
- Security – full control over what happens at home, even when you are away.
Value of real estate
In the eyes of buyers, a smart home is increasingly not a luxury, but an asset – especially in new construction. Integrated smart systems can realistically increase the value of an apartment or house on the secondary market.
Summary
A smart home is not just a gadget – it is a well-thought-out system that significantly affects the quality of daily life. The increasing availability of technology, the flexibility of systems and the possibility of expansion mean that smart solutions can be tailored to any apartment. Smart solutions are ideal for both a 30-square-meter studio apartment and a large house with a garden.
If you are at the stage of interior design or planning a renovation, furnishing a new apartment? Contact us – we will design for you a functional interior with intelligent solutions.
