August 8, 2019

When it comes to today’s smart home tech, manufacturers are looking at how their products can make lives healthier, more fun and less tedious. Voice control, remote Wi-Fi connectivity and customizable features are becoming the norm, and trends in remote monitoring and streamlining processes continue to grow. For our July/August issue, KBB spoke with several of these leading smart home manufacturers to find out what is popular among consumers, what innovations stand out in each space and how designers can best incorporate more technology into their projects.

View a gallery of smart home products HERE.

The Consumer Profile
At first, it was assumed that only millennials would look at smart home tech. With products coming out that help with all ages, this did not turn out to be the case. 

“Young families find that these devices provide comfort in knowing when the kids come home after school,” said Mitchell Klein, executive director of the Z-Wave Alliance, a consortium of smart home products powered by the Z-Wave home control system. “Millennials enjoy the conveniences these provide; caregivers benefit from knowing their aging loved ones are safe and secure, and voice control is providing consumers of all ages with convenience of control, information and access.”

Smart home products can be suitable for almost any consumer based on their lifestyle and needs and can add convenience and offer more control over their home needs. Many are designed to help the typical American family solve everyday, real-life challenges.

“With the ever-growing array of choices available in the smart home market, consumers in various demographics are gravitating toward different experiences and solutions from their connected products,” said Ruth Prentice, connected experience manager for Thermador.

The Smart Kitchen & AI
Smart home tech in the cooking space has long surpassed just Wi-Fi connectivity. Manufacturers are making it easier to cook and entertain, while saving time and energy.

“As we developed our line of connected appliances, our main driver was to provide peace of mind to homeowners,” said Steve Knox, connected customer experience manager for Sub-Zero/Wolf. “People are pressed for time and looking for appliances that can simplify their lives and enhance their cooking experiences.”

Manufacturers are partnering with each other, as well as outside services, to streamline tedious tasks like grocery shopping or preparing standard meals. A hood, oven and stove can all connect and work together to correctly ventilate a space without being prompted, and a refrigerator can automatically order new filters from Amazon without the homeowner’s assistance. This is all because of developments in artificial intelligence or AI.

“Getting time back throughout the day is something we have already begun to realize with smart home tech,” said Jonathan Bradley, channel manager at Kohler Co. “Once we can truly harness the power of AI, everyday tasks will become even more streamlined and in turn afford consumers even more time to spend on what’s most important.”

Feeling Safe & Relaxed in the Bathroom
Having a spa-like bathroom is one of the top priorities for consumers today, and technology can make that happen more easily.

“Technology is dramatically elevating the bath experience,” said Kate Bailey, director of showrooms for Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting, explaining that incorporating music and lighting controls in the bath is popular. “Moreover, manufacturers are incorporating smart tech to increase water efficiency and safety.”

Smart showering systems allow homeowners with small children to set maximum temperatures to prevent burns and scalds. It can also warm up the shower without wasting water or fill the tub to a certain level. Motion-activated bathroom lighting makes late-night bathroom trips less susceptible to trips and falls, and smart bidet toilets allow more independence for those with limited mobility.

“Our goal is to turn the bathroom into a destination space within the smart home, so that it’s not just because you have to spend time there – it’s because you want to spend time there,” said Bradley.

Tips for Designers in the Smart Home Space
Attending informative shows like CEDIA Expo and KBIS are a given for gaining education on these new products and trends, which are constantly evolving and advancing. Finding a quality integrator to work with is also necessary to start incorporating smart home products into a client’s project.

“Don’t be daunted or intimidated by the technology,” said J. Barry Schurr, COO at Osbee Industries, a home automation design and installation firm. “Ultimately, a good integrator is truly a design partner, except that the materials we use are electronics and technology. The more you know what an integrator can do – by being curious and open to collaboration – the more successful your project will be.”

Unlike other aspects of importance to designers – such as wall finishes, floors and furnishings – there is no central resource to view and learn about all the smart home options available. The first step is to find out who the integrators are in the area and reach out to them to learn what they do and see the kinds of projects they have completed. Many integrators have showrooms and may offer lunch-and-learns or other industry events, and some smart home control system manufacturers have experience centers where a designer can see firsthand all the things a smart home can do.

“Last of all, but perhaps most important: Include an integrator early on in your project,” said Schurr. “The earlier we are involved, the more design flexibility we can provide when integrating the technology and in serving your design vision for the residence.”