How many people could work without technology in their home? Not many.

While we know a home can’t function without plumbing or electricity, we don’t always think about the essential role technology also plays. CEDIA’s Giles Sutton addressed integrating technology into the home during his CEU session at the recent Designer Experience. CEDIA is a global trade organization for companies that design, manufacture and integrate technology in homes.

“Technology has changed how people appraoach design for homes,” he said. The pandemic has really driven consumer demand for home technology, as we learned how to work and school from home, Sutton added. “Homeowners are starting to see the benefits of a connected home and better WiFi.”

So many people get frustrated with their WiFi network because it’s not installed correctly for their type of property, he said. Brick walls, baby monitors and even microwaves can all affect the network’s strength. In addition, “the pandemic put enormous stress on the WiFi network.”

But designers frequently miss offering this tech opportunity to their clients. Research from the National Kitchen and Bath Association has found that while most consumers use technology in the kitchen, a majority of designers don’t recommend it in their kitchen designs, mostly because they don’t know that there are experts in this area that can help them. The resulting design could then include a “spaghetti Bolognese” of wires behind the television, or a ceiling speaker where a light fixture was meant to be, as well as wall and app acne (when there are too many switches on the wall and/or too many apps to operate those tech products on the phone), he said. And homeowners don’t frequently know who to go to for technology concerns — do they go to Best Buy or figure it out themselves?

Ideally, the planning for technology must be thought about at the beginning and mapped out along with the other design elements of the home. While people may think of integrators as “the A/V guys,” Sutton said, they also work on systems for gaming, pool and spa control, security, lighting, climate control and much more.

If the technology aspect is not addressed ahead of time, the design might not allow for sufficient access or ventilation to technology systems, leading to other problems, he said. While equipment racks are “not the most exciting topic, it’s one of the most important things you need to plan for,” otherwise the equipment might not have the right ventilation or there will be a mess of cables. And while people think the goal is to go wireless, wireless connections can be unpredictable — hence the need for a stable, wired connection.

And innovation continues. Speakers can be painted or plastered over so they resemble a brick wall or a bookshelf. Televisions can have glass that acts as a mirror, and the lighting category is exploding with low-voltage lighting, Sutton said. If a homeowner is concerned about someone hacking into their security systems, there are options such as closed systems, blocking outsiders from trying to log in, while other homeowners may like the convenience of voice controls and cloud-based systems.

Technology continues to evolve, and as it’s gotten simpler to use, the costs have come down, he added.

“Technology is not just a luxury but a necessity in the home.”

Interviewing integrators for a project? A few things Sutton recommends asking them include examples of their work, testimonials or references, a description of their discovery process with the homeowner, how they support and maintain the project, and what differentiates them from other integrators.

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Andrea is passionate about home design, and has covered the home furnishings industry for most of her journalism career. She is the Executive Editor, Design, of Designers Today; in addition, she also serves as the Managing Editor of HFN and Lighting Editor for Home Accents Today. Andrea lives in beautiful Brooklyn, where she could very well be the only person without a tattoo.

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