The merging of modern technologies into a design project allows for a truly contemporary finish. As we advance through the 21st Century, the younger generation expects more than a standard project. Smart technology is being used more and more as an accompaniment to traditional design and as part of it to create a smart home. 

Interior design is all about embracing new ways of looking at things and applying them accordingly. With the advent of smart technology, you may want to incorporate modern convenience into your design philosophy and reap the benefits that merging tech with design can bestow. Such things include intuitive LED lighting controls (https://www.lepro.co.uk/), one-touch blinds or curtain controls and instant entertainment.

All of this might sound complicated, but it is a lot easier than you might think. A smart home can become a giant web of interconnected devices that expands over time. Still, you can get set up in 3 simple steps.

Pick a Virtual Voice Assistant

It is estimated that there are currently over 4 billion voice assistants in use worldwide, with that number expected to double by 2024. As such, there are a few options when it comes to picking a virtual voice assistant, and if you have a smartphone, you have probably already used one. Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri and Microsoft’s Cortana are among the best. 

Siri is the most popular virtual voice assistant, and Google Assist is the most accurate. However, which assistant you ultimately decide on comes down to personal use. Most people usually decide upon the assistant that they are familiar with from their smartphone. Still, you can install any voice assistant as the controller for your smart home.

Find a Suitable Controller

Once you have decided on a particular assistant from Amazon, Apple, Google or Microsoft, you need to choose a suitable controller. A controller is a device from which the assistance features can be configured and used, such as a tablet, smartphone or base station. For base station options, such as Amazon Echo and Dot, you still need a smartphone to register and configure the system. 

Because it is possible to lose or damage your personal smartphone. It is not recommended that you use it as a smart home controller. Instead, purchase a new smartphone or tablet for the sole purpose of controlling your property. You can then fix it to the wall or place it on a shelf that is easily accessible for controlling your devices. Hubs and satellite devices also allow for voice controls. Control apps can also be downloaded to some smart TVs.  

Connect Your Devices

The fun part is seeing your devices in action – from the touch of a button or with a voice command. But what devices can you use? There are literally hundreds of machines for innovative home technology. Still, you need to make sure that any you buy are compatible with your controller or hub. For example, before purchasing an LED smart light bulb, check that the packaging states it is compatible with your Siri, Alexa or Cortana app.

Once you have purchased compatible devices, then connect them to your hub. All smart home devices operate using Wi-Fi, so an active wireless internet connection is required. Getting an assistant to recognize your device can be tedious. Still, devices always come with clear instructions on how to do this. Setting them up usually consists of switching them on, putting them into pairing mode (similar to Bluetooth) and finding them in the app.