Should You Install Smart Lighting In Your Home?

Smart home features are all the rage these days, and while they may not be necessary, they are increasingly expected, particularly in newer homes.

13:56 13 September 2021

If you’re currently planning a renovation, should you automatically convert to smart lighting? There’s no right answer for every individual or home, but you may want to consider these five factors as you explore your options.

 

It Won’t (Likely) Impact Sales

 

Smart home technology, whether that’s lighting or anything else, largely doesn’t impact how easily a home sells, especially in larger, urban areas with a lot of demand. Ultimately, the destination is a lot more important than specific home features in these areas, and properties are already usually quite expensive, so buyers can always install smart tech themselves if they want to. 

 

That being said, in smaller areas with less demand but greater concentrated wealth, there does tend to be greater demand for such technology, so it’s important to know your market.

 

Placement Is Key

 

Another factor that tends to be more important to both residents and home buyers when it comes to lighting is how that lighting is placed instead of what type of lighting it is. If you’re preparing for a renovation, the height of hanging lights, positioning of ceiling insets, brightness, and other factors are more important to the overall space. These are the types of details that interior designers understand but might not make sense to the average homeowner. If you’re going to go through the work of putting in smart lights, take the time to consult with experts who understand placement before you make the switch.

 

Lifestyle Factors

 

One of the main reasons that people consider smart lighting, besides just staying on trend, is because this style of lighting has a number of lifestyle advantages. People who are away from home a lot, for example, often like that smart lighting can be controlled remotely or scheduled to make it appear that someone is home, or can be checked after you leave for work to make sure you turned everything off. Many people also like that smart lighting typically includes motion sensors, which can double as a safety feature.

 

Safety Strategies

 

Some people don’t care whether or not they have smart lighting in their own homes but have become very interested in installing at least some smart lighting units in their aging parents’ homes. With more people aging in place and living independently into their golden years, smart lighting has become a tool for preventing nighttime falls, especially in bedrooms, bathrooms, and around stairs. Since falls often lead to serious medical cascades, such simple safeguards are critically important.

 

The Options Vary

 

Until recently, a lot of smart lighting required substantial structural modifications that got right down to the wiring, but today, installing smart lighting can be much simpler. There are also a lot more options available to consumers interested in making the switch. For example, some people prefer smart dimmers to smart bulbs, and smart bulbs are much more common than hardwired smart lighting systems. Just as there’s no right choice as far as installing smart lights in the first place, it’s important to explore your options to see what might be right for you.

 

Smart lighting can be a lovely addition to your home, but it’s a functional and aesthetic decision that serves some homeowners well, and doesn’t really appeal to others. Does the idea of smart lighting excite you? Then go for it. But if you’re happy with your home’s current setup, then there’s no reason to change it, either.