Whether you consider yourself to be somewhat of a techie or think that technology or the Internet of Things has no place in the living areas, home automation is going to revolutionise the way you think about design.
It’s easy to think of technology simply as saving time, making better use of resources, and providing enhanced information sharing, but it can be so much more. The Internet of Things is connecting our household appliances, security systems and environmental controls – and a savvy Interior Designer knows how to connect these to the aesthetics of the space.
Sure, some of the current high-tech devices are far from what we would have in the not-so-distant past consider beautiful contributions to an interior design layout -but we’ve come a long way in just a few years and some of the gadgets available right now double up as functional decorating ideas that can make your smart home positively genius, while still looking spectacular.
Smart-home is the buzzword of the day and for a good reason! Dedicated apps can now control a room's lighting, heating, and security at the touch of a button, while voice-activated services like Google Home and Amazon Echo manage your house without users even needing to lift a finger.
So heads up, Interior Designers – you’ll need to be mindful of allowing space for smart light switches, thermostats, and meters while making the technology that controls the room accessible by hand or voice. It’s also important to consider the implementation of smart objects. For example, integrated kitchen worktops have been designed to effortlessly merge oven hobs and sinks into one flat stone surface. It's cutting-edge, it’s downright revolutionary, and it has the potential to dominate a design blueprint completely.
Design-lovers will appreciate the importance of integrated technology. Having a sound system mounted on the wall or ceiling is more than just a convenience, it is a space creator. Hiding messy wires and removing the need for tables and counters gives an Interior Designer more freedom to work without constraints. And, a speaker integrated into your ceiling delivers excellent acoustics, too.
Another thing, that’s getting smarter by the day, is sustainable technology. Consumers grow wary of the environmental and social mark they are leaving on the world, so the interest in sustainable design increases. This is good news for Interior Designers - today eco-friendly designs are entirely on trend as well as good for the environment.
Continuing in the tune of the Internet of Things, it actually turns out fibre optics really is good for you. Not only does it provide speedier broadband, but they also consume less energy than copper-based systems. Optical fibre cables also have a longer infrastructure lifespan, typically lasting 25 years; the rate of repair is also 50 per cent less than copper, which translates into less resources used and less waste.
Finally, let’s talk Virtual Reality. VR is something that a few years ago may have felt more like sci-fi than a cosy, homely technology, but now it's making the, rather fitting, transition into interior design as well.
To neglect the potential that virtual reality brings would be quite the faux pas because of the advantages it brings to Interior Designers. Imagine walking a client through a digital room with your full design all around. You could point out individual nuances in your creation in an immersive way that gives you an edge over the other designers vying for attention.
As smart home technology continues to improve, its influence on interior design will continue to grow. With ambitious concepts being pitched almost daily, home automation has the potential to be truly revolutionary. Fashion, tech and design are going to live together under one smart roof – all for our benefit.
