Smart Home Design That Works and Looks Great

Disney Channel’s 1999 sci-fi comedy Smart House featured a home that could prepare food, clean up messes, and give growing adolescents romantic advice. In 1999, the technology seemed so intriguing. The writer, Stu Krieger, even checked in with NASA to research the emerging tech to be included in the house. He wanted it to be a genuine representation of what future homes might look like.

While he didn’t get every detail perfectly accurate, he certainly hit a few notes about what AI and virtual assistants might be able to do for us in the home. The movie Smart House heavily features high-tech home integrations using the aesthetics of 1999. Today, smart home technology can be seamlessly integrated into the design of a modern home.

Smart Home Tech: What Do We Have

Even within the last 10 years, the frequency in which a modern US home includes smart technology has increased drastically. Smart thermostats, video doorbells, and voice assistants are just a few examples of smart tech that is likely to be found in almost every home across the US—even in homes owned by late adopters.

For homeowners in the early-majority-tech-adoption column, smart appliances like dimmable bulbs, smart plugs, robot vacuums, and smart shades are being added into homes with some frequency. A television the size of a wall? Yes, you can have that and yes, it is integrated with AI. Early adopters are testing light panels that shift color with the circadian rhythm, smart diffusers, and smart coffee tables in their homes.

The smart toilet, once referred to as the Japanese toilet (due to its prevalence in Japan compared to its non-existence in the States), is predicted to make its way into more and more American homes throughout 2025.

Integrating Smart Tech with Design

Function is one thing, form is another—especially in spaces meant to invoke a certain vibe and especially for the design-oriented. Luckily, many smart tech designers are considering optics almost as much as functionality. Design-forward innovation teams often focus on devices that can blend into their environment. For example, flush-mounted speakers, hidden wiring, and neutral-toned color schemes. While the minimalist aesthetic may not be everyone’s aesthetic, minimalist devices can often be integrated into all types of home decor schemes.

For the design-conscious, placement of smart tech devices in the home is key. A tablet mounted to the wall in the middle of a statement archway will not look good. Smart tech should complement a space—not hijack it. Unless, of course, your design aesthetic is to show off as much of your tech as possible.

Smart Entertainment Systems

The room that entertains is the room where design and functionality meet irresistibly. Smart entertainment systems must be both functional and well-designed. Apple has a long history of finding the perfect balance between aesthetics and usability. The Apple TV is another masterpiece device that supports that claim. It’s compact and intuitive—and, more importantly, it looks great.

To unlock the full potential of Apple TV, especially if you’re streaming international content or prefer extra privacy, an Apple TV VPN is a particularly good investment. You can mask your location, protect your data, and bypass many geo-restrictions. Smart and safe.

Comfort, Style, and a Safe Smart Home

A well-designed smart home doesn’t just look great; it’s also comfortable and easy to live in. Thoughtfully integrated smart tech can have many benefits. In addition to making life easier, it can also reduce energy use and generally free up more time for homeowners.  A smart home for the modern era can not only anticipate your needs but also feel homey and lived-in. It’s security and convenience wrapped in a beautiful design. And hopefully, unlike 2022’s Margaux (yes, another movie reference rooted in the smart-house-goes-wrong universe), the tech will never turn on you. Especially if it looks cute.