The Future of Luxury Living: Smart Homes

A luxury smart home elevates day-to-day living by offering optimum comfort and convenience. From voice control to intelligent lighting, here’s how smart home technology can make your life better and easier.

STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGIES SHAPING LUXURY SMART HOMES

While luxury real estate has always offered some of the most advanced home technologies and amenities, smart home features have become an increasingly prominent part of the industry. In recent years, smart home innovations have come to differentiate luxury and ultra-luxury properties from other listings on the market.

With a wide range of benefits ranging from enhanced security to greater potential for customization, advances in smart home technology are transforming the way luxury homes are designed and marketed to discerning clientele.

Home Automation Systems: Control and Customization at Your Fingertips

Automation systems allow you to control smart home technology from a smartphone or another handheld device. It gives you complete control of your luxury smart home, giving you the power to switch entire systems on and off with just a few taps. It also allows you to monitor the property and ensure safety and energy conservation when you’re away.

Adding voice control capabilities is an increasingly popular way of automating luxury properties. 72% of Americans who own smart home devices want voice control, according to a Coldwell Banker survey. Voice control lets you turn devices on and off with the sound of your voice. It also helps you find information and make purchases with smart home devices using simple voice commands.

In addition to the convenience of mobile devices and voice commands, home automation can also improve the health and well-being of your home’s occupants. From smart beds and UV disinfection closets to programmable thermostats and touch-free surfaces, smart home automation presents new ways of monitoring your health and recovery from the demands of daily life. Smart home kitchen gadgets provide access to a wide range of recipes for specific dietary requirements while smart toilets have self-cleaning mechanisms for improved sanitation.

With the coronavirus pandemic creating more opportunities for hybrid and flexible work arrangements, smart home tech has also played an important role in boosting productivity and motivation.

It is no longer enough to just have a well-designed home office with ergonomic furniture and adequate lighting. Top-tier buyers require a dedicated workspace where they can perform day-to-day tasks. Voice control can make it more convenient to pull up information from databases and operate printers and other home office equipment. A smart watch can also send you alerts to take a pause from sitting for extended periods.

Internet of Things (IoT): Interconnected Devices for Seamless Living

Smart assistants such as Google Assistant, Siri, Alexa, and Cortana run on software that lets you access information, operate smart home devices, and perform various tasks. It relies on the Internet of Things (IoT), which refers to smart devices that connect to the internet and other smart devices. You can use a smart assistant through a smart speaker, smartphone, or computer. 

In 2021 alone, the total IoT market generated $190.26 billion in revenue. In many luxury properties, advanced smart home technology connects most devices and appliances for complete integration. Interconnected devices can include a wide range of Iot-enabled devices, such as a smart chair system that can use motion sensors to assess your sitting position and prompt you to correct your posture while working on your computer as well as doors with 3D facial recognition and smart locking mechanisms. 

You don’t even have to be particularly tech-savvy to set up and integrate smart home technology, which allows for easy configuration. Most smart devices can connect via Bluetooth or Zigbee protocol on your smartphone. This allows you to wield a smart home system that functions like a singular unit. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration: Smart Assistants and Predictive Capabilities

In addition to automation and IoT,  AI is also expected to play a larger role in the luxury smart home market. AI has permeated many different aspects of daily life and real estate is no exception. AI-enabled devices with voice assistance will enable you to interact with your home in new and exciting ways. For example, AI-enabled refrigerators can create tailored grocery shopping lists while AI ovens with self-adjusting temperatures and live streaming capabilities let you specify how you want your food prepared.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: Eco-Friendly Features in Luxury Living Spaces

A recent report from Luxury Portfolio International found that luxury buyers take sustainability and environmental impact into account when choosing a suitable property. More than half of homebuyers also said that they were willing to pay more for in-demand sustainability features and amenities. Today’s buyers want to go beyond solar panels and energy-efficient appliances to minimize their impact on the environment. They prefer luxury homes that have been constructed with eco-friendly and non-toxic materials. 

The luxury market offers a host of sustainable and environmentally friendly features, such as:

• Vegetable gardens and orchards, which offer countless opportunities for outdoor recreation while stocking your kitchen with organic and seasonal produce. Gardening can help maintain healthy soil on the property while trees and plants help produce oxygen. Orchards and gardens add greenery while providing shade and fresh air.
• Smart sprinklers and irrigation systems that connect to the internet and can be controlled with your smartphone to help conserve water. These smart systems can set up watering schedules or postpone them if there has been rainfall in your area.
• Intelligent water monitors that can detect seepage in your home and send notifications to your water shutoff system to turn off the water supply. This can help prevent water wastage and prevent home flooding.
• Tankless water heaters, which require less energy and reduce hot water wastage compared to conventional water heaters with storage tanks. Tankless water heaters provide on-demand heating for luxury homes and are particularly beneficial for heated pools and hot tubs while helping you lower your carbon footprint.
• Geothermal heating and cooling — this can minimize your impact on the environment while keeping indoor temperatures comfortable throughout the year. Geothermal heating and cooling systems rely on a renewable resource: the earth’s shallow underground temperature. 

SMART HOME TECH FOR YOUR PROPERTY

Smart Security Systems: Surveillance, Access Control, and Risk Mitigation

High-net-worth (HNWIs) and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UNHWIs) often require the highest level of protection and security. The strong need for security and privacy extends to smart home technology, which typically includes advanced surveillance systems and smart sensors and alarms. 

According to the US News & World Report Home Security Survey 2022, about 29% of Americans use home security systems to monitor their kids or pets while they’re away and 15% use them to monitor au pairs, house cleaners, contractors, and other staff working on the property.

In addition to monitors and smart sensors, smart home integration allows you to make security updates and switch flood lights on and off from afar as well as install fire, motion, and contact alarms to receive visual alerts for unusual occurrences on the property. Keyless entry and touchpad configurations with numeric codes can safeguard your property while security subscriptions can alert local law enforcement at the first sign of an intrusion.

However, luxury buyers may have privacy concerns since most IoT environments are overly reliant on internet connectivity and cloud infrastructures to function. While smart devices and surveillance systems offer a great deal of convenience, these items may also open a window into your home and personal life.

Smart home tech manufacturers are addressing this by embedding intelligence within the home environment and reducing cloud dependency. The artificial intelligence of things (AIoT), which refers to the convergence of AI and IoT-enabled devices, is a popular alternative to the cloud.

AIoT embeds intelligence and is capable of more sophisticated sensor processing. It has the ability to capture contextualized information, identify faces and images, and detect motion and presence independently instead of relying on the cloud for context.

Having strong security protocols can also help keep your luxury smart home systems robust. A study by Avast found that 40.8% of smart homes contain at least one gadget that is vulnerable to hacking. If this is a concern, it is worth consulting with cyber security providers who can create safeguards that protect your data and information. Popular examples include AI-based biometric authentication.

Intelligent Lighting and Climate Control: Ambiance and Energy Optimization

Smart lighting and window covers can be programmed to adjust the amount of artificial and natural light in your home based on your preferences and the time of day. These devices can be controlled remotely, allowing you to adjust lighting conditions and draw the curtains from another room.

Next-generation smart lighting solutions go beyond automatically switching on and off to save on energy consumption. You can dim the lights, change colors, and synchronize with music to set the atmosphere for gatherings. You can even set color themes and configure lighting schedules with custom settings and individual controls for each room.

Integrating your lighting solutions with smart home technology can further enhance functionality and create nearly endless possibilities for customization. This can also simplify daily household activities for the entire family. Voice command lets you control and adjust lighting for added convenience. Illuminate your workspace hands-free and sync lighting with your morning alarm and bedtime schedule for optimal sleep.

When it comes to well-being, smart climate control appliances enable you to automate your home’s heating and cooling functions and intelligent devices. Smart thermostats can sync with your personal schedule and various activity patterns in your home, adjusting indoor temperatures accordingly and reacting to external weather conditions.

Smart climate control can also be integrated with other luxury smart home appliances to maximize your comfort. For example, a programmable thermostat can be connected to automated blinds to keep your home comfortable depending on the time of day or year. Integrated systems can close blinds to block the sun’s rays and keep the room cooler during the warmest time of the day so that air conditioning units can conserve energy.

Home Entertainment and Media Integration: High-Tech Leisure Experiences

In addition to enhancing comfort and well-being, next-generation smart home entertainment systems can also help you have more fun. There are many intelligent devices in the luxury home market that can help you create the perfect ambience to encourage interaction and relaxation. A comprehensive smart home entertainment system can include everything from smart speakers and surround sound to home theaters with smart seats and augmented reality (AR) viewers.

AR and AI-enabled home entertainment technology lets you customize lighting, colors, music, textures, and even fragrance to suit your mood. You can also put on virtual interactive displays to create an immersive experience for your guests.

Personalized Luxury: Tailoring Smart Homes to Individual Preferences

What makes luxury real estate appealing is its singularity. Each luxury home is a one-off that reflects the unique tastes and preferences of its owner. Smart home technology has a way of amplifying this quality.  

Smart home automation lets you customize the settings for just about every system in your home. This ensures that your systems can fully accommodate your lifestyle and daily routine. AI and IoT help improve the personalization of your home systems. This is because AI and IoT have the ability to analyze any results obtained following contact with an end-user and predict the best possible options for future events.

THE FUTURE OUTLOOK OF SMART HOMES IN LUXURY LIVING

Emerging Technologies: Predictions and Possibilities

An increasing number of luxury real estate developers are offering to equip homes with smart home technology and smart assistants to appeal to tech-savvy buyers. These luxury homes often come with smart thermostats, smart plugs, and programmable lighting.

Leading luxury builder Toll Brothers now provides home network solutions with network switches and wireless access points to operate multiple devices and appliances in your home. This helps reduce wireless interference, increase internet speed, and extend Wi-Fi signals throughout your property. A stronger home network can help you complete daily tasks with greater efficiency as well as set up a more reliable smart home system.

Select luxury condo towers in Miami have begun offering charging stations for electric vehicles to all unit owners while some condo developers now give buyers the opportunity to include solar panels, smart locks, and advanced security systems in their home purchase.

Some multi-family property managers have also adopted Spruce, an app that helps them manage multiple vendors and provide hotel-style services to tenants courtesy of local businesses. These services typically include basic household chores, housekeeping, laundry, dry cleaning, and pet care. 

Potential for Mass Adoption: Smart Homes Moving Beyond Luxury

Many people already use smart home technology for entertainment, remote learning, and productivity. As smart home technology becomes more widespread and affordable, an increasing number of buyers will have access to advanced smart home features. Popular smart home brands like Amazon and Nest now offer smart technology at just under $500. This allows more homeowners to enjoy the convenience and security of smart tech.

Most basic smart home systems include a hub, motion detectors, and door and window sensors. These systems can be easily upgraded to include additional features such as smart locks, surveillance cameras, water sensors, and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 

Sustainable and Net-Zero Smart Homes: Environmental Consciousness

According to Mansion Global, advances in building science have made it possible to construct and design net-zero luxury homes without sacrificing aesthetics. A net-zero home comes with energy-efficient design, renewable energy, and superior insulation to reduce energy consumption. It is often built with locally sourced materials, sustainable timber, recycled cement, and high-density cellulose insulation.

As the smart home technology market grows at a rapid pace, e-waste can become a more pressing issue. Most of the parts and components used in smart devices and appliances can be quite difficult to recycle or reuse. To address the issue, tech companies have begun offering smart devices with almost 100% recyclability while others plan to use recycled components in manufacturing devices.

FIND A LUXURY SMART HOME WITH THE GRAND DAME OF REAL ESTATE 

Take luxury living to the next level with the latest in smart home technology. If you’re looking for a luxury property in Greater Los Angeles, celebrated real estate agent Joyce Rey will help you find one that meets your high expectations.

A sought-after luxury real estate expert, Joyce Rey works with Fortune 500 executives, professional athletes, celebrities, and other UNHWIs. With a career spanning decades, she has represented some of Southern California’s most iconic properties. Her work includes record-setting real estate transactions worth over $6 billion. 

Explore Greater Los Angeles’ luxury smart home market when you get in touch with Joyce Rey and her team at 310.285.7529. You can also message them here or send your inquiries through the contact form below.