WHAT’S NEW
Smart home technology has been steadily on the rise over the last decade, making its way into more products as well as integrating with each other. Convenience, energy saving, and peace of mind are a few of the reasons homeowners are making the switch to smart home products, including lighting. Lighting is an important feature in the home and can be argued as one of the best since it allows us to see at any time of the day.
There are several factors that go into selecting your new light fixtures such as style and size with each room having different needs. Smart home lighting technology gives you the best of both worlds by allowing you to easily control when and how much lighting is in each space. Let’s talk about what smart lighting is, the benefits it brings to your home, and how to blend it all together plus we will highlight some of the new products available to you.
What is smart lighting?
Smart lighting is the new and improved way to light up your home with ease. Smart LED bulbs are equipped with software that allows them to connect with apps or other smart home technology which lets you control them remotely via Wi-Fi. It also enables you to brighten or dim them according to the room’s specific needs with a simple touch instead of the traditional dimmer. With such ease of access, light switches will be in less of a demand as homeowners enjoy the luxury of voice activation through Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant. Making the “switch” to smart home lighting gives you ultimate control for you and your family.
Benefits of smart home lighting
Smart home lighting comes with an array of benefits besides the obvious of remote access. They are easy to program, meaning you set the lights to turn on before you come home, such as the entryway or outdoor lighting, so you never have to come home to a dark house. This also works for early morning risers as well, who don’t have to stumble in the dark trying to find the switch. If you left the house in a hurry and wondered if a light was left on, you can easily check via an app and turn it off.
Smart lighting comes with a holiday bonus, too. Connect your lights to a smart outlet plug, and you can program them to turn on in the morning before anyone gets up. Few things can beat waking up to Christmas lights softly lighting up our home. Dimming is another benefit and gives you the choice of how bright you want a room to be, especially as we progress into the evening. Energy savings is a great perk with smart lighting since LED bulbs emit less heat than traditional ones, plus they tend to last longer too.
We know that lighting can impact our mood, which is why varying levels of brightness are a wonderful option with smart lighting. From bright white to warm white, you control how much and when. For a splash of fun and interest, consider including a few colored light options, especially in bedrooms or family areas. If you enjoy a routine and love the idea of having fully customized options for the lighting in your home, smart lighting is made for you.
New products in smart lighting
With its continued rise in popularity, lighting manufacturers are busy designing new and improved light fixtures that are sure to elevate and illuminate your space. Remember that you can transform any current light fixture into a smart light by replacing the bulb though be do recommend confirming this with vintage fixtures just to be safe. Because of this easy change you can immediately enjoy the benefits and bonus that come with it. Some of the top LED smart bulbs include:
- WYZE bulb color: it is compatible with multiple devices, including Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Though it does not come with any special effects it is bright and comes with the usual features such as remote access, scheduling, and timers. The price is affordable and it also comes with an easy-to-use app that even allows you to program it for vacation mode.
- Phillips Wiz smart bulb: for those who enjoy including a touch of color to their light, especially for special events and seasons, this bulb gives you a little more bang for your buck. Along with the expected features like scheduling, it comes with special effects that can mimic a fireplace and save your favorite colors, which saves you time.
- Phillips Hue LED smart kit: if you are just beginning your journey with smart lighting, a kit can be helpful and this one comes with all you need. With multiple smart bulbs included, you can quickly transform your lighting and pair it with the usual devices. It also comes with an almost endless array of color choices plus a smart button, a manual control, with a mounting plate meaning you can place it in a central location or carry it with you as needed.
Using smart lighting in your home
Transitioning from traditional to tech based lighting begins with a bulb and a device such as Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa or even Apple home. Knowing which one will work best for you is important since not all smart light bulbs work with each one. Since each bulb has varying features and color spectrums, be sure to read them carefully before making your final decision. Including a manual control is another bonus since it gives you full access from anywhere in the room from dimming to color tone.
Smart light switches are another way to slowly experience smart technology in the home. Just replace a regular switch with a smart one and you can remotely control the light even if it has regular bulbs. Many homeowners enjoy integrating both of these smart features into their home since it makes it easier to have the right amount of light whenever they need it.
Smart home lighting
Are you ready to make the “switch” and enjoy all the benefits of smart home lighting? From money saving to mood setting, smart lights let you have complete say in how your home is illuminated. It is the ultimate way to fully customize your home no matter where. You will never need to worry if everything has been turned off or of stumbling through the hallway to reach a switch. Visit a local home store to find the perfect one for you.
Click here to learn more about the Role of Smart Lighting in Interiors!
There are many elements that contribute to creating a welcoming home, including color, patterns, decorative pieces, and furniture. All of this comes together to paint an inviting space where guests leave feeling like family. Sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start or what pieces work best together to create the perfect look. Let’s talk about five ways to create a welcoming atmosphere in your home.
Walker Woodworking Does your home need some renovations to bring it back up to speed for your specific lifestyle? Are you ready to transform certain areas into a more functional and purposeful space? Our experienced design team has assisted hundreds of clients in creating new areas that function exactly as they need. How can we help you prioritize your needs through design? Let us help you find the areas of priority in your home!
Greenbrook DesignAt the heart of any design work is the chance to tell a story—the story of those who live there. Our home is at the core of who we are. It is our grounding, the place we can truly let our hair down and be ourselves. It’s where memories are not just made, but remembered and passed down to the next generation. Homes are meant to be special—a symbol to all who enter of what truly matters to us. That’s why the design choices we make should be influenced by who we are, where we came from, and how our unique experiences shape us. Across the world, people’s design choices are deeply rooted in culture. But in today’s ever-connected world, we’re also seeing a beautiful blending of cultures—where traditional elements mix with modern influences, and regional styles merge to reflect global inspirations.
Since the invention of the light bulb, we have been able to brighten up our homes at any time of day. It has been great to eliminate shadows in areas where there are limited windows or even none at all, and allowed us to achieve more in a 24-hour period. Light fixtures have also developed from being just a practical tool into works of art, giving homeowners the chance to express themselves and add a touch of elegance to any room. Changing out a light fixture can completely alter or transform a room, and with so many sizes and styles, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. As we approach the close of another year, new home lighting trends for 2022 could provide helpful information for selecting your next light fixture that will perfectly illuminate your home.
Greenbrook DesignEvery area of the home has a purpose, a specific role to play in running a house smoothly, whether that is the living room where we relax or the bathroom where we get ready for the day. The kitchen is a place of preparation, the space where we go to cook for our family, but it is the dining room where it is served and enjoyed. This is the space within the home that gives families a designated area to gather around and dine together, as well as for activities like homework, bills, and fun things like family game night. It is a multifunctional space, which means it deserves some extra attention when selecting decor pieces. Let’s talk about the many elements you can use to give the dining room the love and beauty it deserves.
Walker Woodworking
Greenbrook Design