Not too long ago, when you wanted to carry out some home improvements, they would involve new wallpaper, some paint, or maybe some more extensive renovations like a new kitchen or bathroom. Now however, when people are looking at ways to upgrade their homes, things are often significantly more digital.
With the considerable speed at which technology has developed in the past few years, more and more people are turning to modern tech to improve their homes. And with the kind of tech that is now available, there are more ways than ever to incorporate it into your property. It has developed from having technology in your home—televisions, sound systems, and so on—to upgrading your home with technology as an integral part of it—home automation.
And it’s incredible what home automation has now allowed us to do with our properties. Here are a few of the latest trends.
Safety
Perhaps the most common form of home automation in homes across America is in security systems. For years now, homeowners have been using modern technology to make their homes safer, but this kind of home security system has never been more accessible to the everyday homeowner than it is now. It does not take much effort or cost to install cameras outside or around a house yourself, and then link them to a stream on your computer. You can even go one step further and automate your locks and lighting, so that you can lock and unlock your house with your phone, using a mobile app.
Going Green and Saving Money
Another trend in home automation is to use it to save on utilities. This is more popular as awareness about climate change increases, and also as homeowners look to save money wherever they can post-recession. This has led to a rise in smart thermostats that can regulate temperature in a home, adjusting automatically to your habits and also allowing you to control it with your phone. This can save energy, as it prevents the heating or cooling of an empty house. Another way that home automation is doing this is through automated lighting, that allows you to control it remotely.
Entertainment
As the economy continues to grow, another very popular trend in home automation is for entertainment. This involves sound systems that are linked throughout the home and, most popular of all, installing an in-home theater. Whether it is a direct result of high movie theater prices and the increased popularity of streaming services, or simply just another home trend, there are more and more people who are splashing the cash to install projectors, movie theater seating, and so on. But now with advances in home automation, this too can all be controlled with the touch of a button—allowing you to link up your screen with your projector, dim your lights, control the sound system, and so on, all from the same device. As home automation continues to grow and develop, don’t be surprised if you see a lot of new tech for the home and car, but that this one stays as popular as ever.
Additional Resources:
http://www.hgtv.com/design/rooms/other-rooms/how-to-build-a-home-theater