Creating a Smart Home

Whether you're building a new home, or renovating - why not make it a smart home? A smart home can include centralised or remote control lighting, window coverings and appliances to provide you with added convenience, security and energy efficiency. Read on to learn our top tips for designing your new smart home.

Plan Ahead

Working out what you need is the very first step in building a home automation system. Think about what will make the most difference to your daily life - do you want to focus on home security and privacy with automated roller shutters and blinds, or on entertainment features with smart-TVs and remote-controlled speaker systems? Do you just want to be able to control your lights from your smartphone, or do you want a fully-integrated home automation system? Think about what you already use most frequently and consider improving the functionality of those systems.

Play the Long Game

Building a new home is the perfect opportunity to maximise the benefits of smart home systems. There's no need to upgrade your current internet and no need to retrofit additional wiring or adapt fittings - you can design everything to work perfectly from the get-go!

Remember that you'll be living in this home for years to come, so any smart home purchases you make now are investments for your future. Now is not the time to skimp on high-quality fittings - you need products that will stand the test of time and support you and your family in the future.

Consider Your Neighbours

When planning your new smart home, think about the other properties surrounding yours. If you have neighbours overlooking your garden, consider building in privacy features such as automated curtains or external venetian blinds. These can offer you control over light and shade, at the same time as maintaining privacy for your family.

Build Your Home for Security

Your new smart home is a safe, precious space and you want to keep it that way. When planning your build, consider what security features you need and how you can incorporate these into your home automation.

Motorised window coverings such as roller shutters and automated lighting are excellent ways of minimising the risk of burglary in your new home. In addition to using motion sensors to activate external lights, you can remotely control window coverings to make it look as though you're at home even when you're away.

Talk to an Expert

When it comes to home automation technology, an expert will be your greatest resource in working out what products are best for you. When building a new home, you want your system to be perfect so now is the time to get professional advice and guidance before making any decisions.

To talk to a Somfy Expert about the exciting plans for your future smart home, find your nearest Somfy Expert retailer now.