As smart technology and tools expand, designers, builders, and installers must be smart in how they integrate the devices and solutions into new builds and remodels — both during the design and build process and installed integrations.

“With any new technology application, it is important to understand the end user’s needs,” said interior designer Kanika B. Khurana, principal at Kanika Design. “We spent a lot of time listening to our clients — who will be using the space and how it will be used daily.”

Don’t let clients (or your team!) be swayed by trendy, new gadgets that don’t fit their needs or lifestyle. And don’t overlook important details that can be easy to forget.

For example, better lighting is a sought-after element. The 2024 U.S. Houzz & Home Study found light fixtures are the top indoor technology purchase among homeowners who renovated in 2023. 

“Having the right lighting for storage areas is super important; you want the space to be well-lit both during day and night,” Khurana emphasized. Options she considers are motion-activated or smart lights or including natural light by way of a skylight.

While the Houzz study reported that 52% of people renovating purchased lighting, 13% were for smart devices, tied with wireless doorbell cameras as the third-most-common smart device, only behind thermostats and home assistants. Other top smart systems noted in the study that can be implemented in closets and storage spaces include alarms or detectors, security cameras, speakers or sound systems, wireless door locks, motion or glass sensors, and motorized window coverings.

The smartest solution for clients is one that makes their lives easier and more enjoyable. Ask questions that help them determine what would be most helpful and practical in their everyday lives and the space you are creating.

Lifestyle considerations

Consider daily routines, tasks, and habits. What are their specific needs? Also, who will use the room and technology, and how will they communicate with it (voice, mobile device, motion, etc.)? 

Other things to consider include the client’s understanding of smart technology, how interested are they in having home automation, and what features of this build are most important to them (security, ease, accessibility, etc.)? Do they currently use any brands or platforms that should be considered for compatibility and learning? Finally, what is the budget and timeline?

Once you have answers, you can get a better sense of what technology makes sense for them and their space.

Why you should look closer at AI

Don’t discount technology in the design and build phase to guide or even accelerate the project. “Use of AI is definitely the next thing to watch for,” Khurana said. Her firm experiments with new and evolving AI tools and features throughout the design process.

Markk Tong is the marketing and sales manager of collov.ai, a technology that offers spatial intelligence, which can quickly generate designs from photos of the space with products in its system and manufacturers’ catalogs. This allows designers to quickly update or change design concepts. “Instead of designers spending days on models and clients having to come back to see the results, designers can show multiple designs right in front of clients in 5 minutes. That’s going to be a totally different sales experience,” Tong said.

These types of technologies don’t just improve design outcomes; they enhance the entire client experience.

“Integrations of AI and smart technologies are making the design process more collaborative and transparent,” Tong said, enabling all parties to be part of the outcome. “Interior design is still a luxury to many people. As we continue to embrace these innovations, we want to help create a space that is both functional and beautiful, responsive to the occupant’s needs.”