All There is to Know When Designing a Smart Home

As homeowners’ expectations rise due to technological advances, interior designers and contractors in Singapore are forced to remain relevant in creative ways. With smart homes coming into the scene and taking over the interior world at lightning speeds, it is only natural that some of the coolest and latest smart gadgets be integrated into the design layout of a client’s home. However, given the complexity and the level of personalisation a smart home is required to deliver, several things have to be considered before the help of a third party is called for.

In the past, there were attempts at making parts of a home “future-proof”. Based on bold visions of the future, leading brands such as Whirlpool tried their hands at introducing everyday home appliances that could be automated and tasked to make life easier. However, back in the 50s and 60s, technology just wasn’t up to par. Today, the tables have turned, as consumers are not quite ready.

Despite the growing number of software, smart gadgets, home automation solutions, and interest in what these have to offer, homeowners struggle to see how these will be relevant to their daily lives. Even if they find the appeal in these technological solutions, they are left in the dark when deciphering the upgrades and integration options. This poses a challenge for interior designers and contractors in Singapore. Not only do designers have to find innovative ways to keep up with market trends, but they also have to ensure that the way the layout is executed offers domestic help in innovative ways. But is their design blueprint a gimmick or something you’d genuinely need help to pull off? We cover some tips and pointers you should take note of when designing your smart home with external help.

What is a Smart Home?

Beyond considering the basics that would beautify an interior design layout, tech devices double as functional interactive tools that increase the connectivity of your home. So, is a smart home a space that simply has smart products strewn all over? As much as that is the common perception held by many, a connected home is more about the experience. Aimed at improving the quality of life, there is much to be aware of when it comes to designing a smart home – some of which interior designers and contractors fail to relay to homeowners.

What Interior Designers & Contractors Keep Secret

As much as interior designers and contractors will work to bring your dream home to life, there is no denying that what they do, is at the end of the day, a business. Creating the best environment that suits your lifestyle today might be their forte, but creating one for the ‘future you’ might not. To ensure that your home caters to your personal residential designs, be aware of the following:

1. Your contractor is not a design whiz 

In Singapore, contractors reign supreme and tend to be the go-to for many homeowners. Sure, interior designers are known for their design eye. But the same cannot be said for contractors. Therefore, when it comes to designing your home and adding in clever details, you might want to either hire an interior designer or DIY things yourself. That does not mean that they’re not reliable. When it comes to simple things like wiring and built-in carpentry that can accommodate smart home automation solutions such as smart switches and door sensors, you can rest assured contractors will get the job done. 

2. Build then expand

Laying a solid foundation is always the first step in every smart home guide. Since you’re paying interior designers and contractors to do the job, you might be tempted to load up their plate and check the boxes of all your wants – they might even comply with your wishes to rake up the big cheque. It is advisable, however, to not purchase all the devices at one go. Start with the essentials then expand later. After all, most smart gadgets distributed by smart home solution providers like HomeAuto take on a plug-and-play approach – you’ll be able to integrate these with ease on your own. 

3. Compatibility is key  

As mentioned, the main role of designers and contractors is to build a home. Not inform you if specific devices will work together to establish a robust smart home automation system – this is something you’ll have to take into your own hands. Rather than having the standard smart home solutions – lighting, speakers, curtains, and more – function independently, you’ll have to specifically work with a smart home solution provider to make sure they all work together seamlessly on one system. This way, you will have the full experience whether you are at home or away.

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Have queries about HomeAuto and our range of smart home solutions? Contact us at [email protected], and our specialists will work closely with you to create a smart home automation system that improves the quality of your life.