How to Design a Smart Home

When designing a new home, the aim is to achieve an enhanced level of lifestyle comfort, ease, and enjoyment—to create spaces that are efficient, secure, and a pleasure to entertain in. This has led to the rise of the Smart Home, where the latest technology can allow homeowners to perform, program, and control tasks remotely, depending on the options they choose to include.

Although not a necessity for all new builds, home automation and interconnected Wi-Fi-enabled devices are fast becoming the future of modern living, rather than simply a luxury add-on. So, let’s explore “The Art of Smart” and how the experts here at Hallmark Homes can help you consider your options and plan for them in your new home design.

Smart Home Planning During the Design Stage

The best time to think about incorporating smart home solutions into your build is during the early planning stages. This enables you to identify your everyday needs and ensure your choice of smart programs is within the set budget. At Hallmark, our consultants can discuss your lifestyle needs and help you explore how smart home solutions could be incorporated into your build with the right planning and advice.

It is crucial to select the right types of technology at the start, taking into account convenience, comfort, security, and energy efficiency. Prioritise your smart home projects, considering what’s important to you, and which features will genuinely enhance your new home experience. Then discuss with your builder the ability to future-proof your smart home design with simple, effective upgrades as the technology evolves.

You don’t need to be tech-savvy, but it is important to select a platform and devices that you find user-friendly.

Popular Smart Home Features to Consider

1. Security is one of the fundamental considerations for homebuyers and a great place to begin when designing your smart home. For peace of mind, think remote door locks, coded keyless home entry, digital video doorbells/intercom, and CCTV cameras. These systems—available from leading brands—offer advanced AI motion detectors, real-time alerts, live streaming, and cloud storage features. Conveniently accessible from your smartphone, you can keep an eye on the home from inside or anywhere in the world.
2. Smart lighting adds ease, energy efficiency, and a unique ambience with features such as remote control, dimming and mood/colour changing. Advanced features also include voice activation and schedule-based lights for security or energy efficiency.
3. Climate control: Enjoy smart device-controlled air-conditioning and ceiling fans, which keep your home at the perfect temperature year-round. Alter the settings for individual rooms, from the comfort of your bed, or prepare the home thermostat for your arrival with the touch of a button on your phone.
4. Entertainment: Integrated or smart speakers are a great addition to your smart home, especially for busy families and those who love to entertain. They offer features like voice-activated assistance, music streaming, setting reminders and alarms, answering questions, and even controlling other smart devices. Similarly, a Smart TV provides access to streaming services, apps, and internet browsing. Most are also voice-enabled.
5. Smart plugs: Smart homes don’t have to be expensive. You can make your home smarter with a simple smart plug. These clever gadgets transform any outlet into a switch that you can control remotely—from lighting to coffee machines and alarm systems. Smart outlets can also be integrated with other smart home systems to automate daily tasks, track your energy usage, and remind you to turn off devices not in use.
6. Smart appliances, from fridges that keep track of your groceries and ovens that can be preheated remotely, to automated vacuum cleaners, are changing the way we manage household tasks. Enjoy the ease and convenience offered by such products from leading brands.

Start Planning Your Smart Home with Hallmark

With the right plan, incorporating smart technology into your home can be simple and affordable—especially if considered during the home-building phase. While Hallmark Homes doesn’t supply smart home devices as part of our standard inclusions, our consultants can help you think about the best time to plan for them during your build so it’s easier to add the features you want later.

Smart home technology is evolving quickly, and what works best will depend on your lifestyle, budget, and personal preferences. We encourage you to research different systems, start small, and add features as they make sense for your household.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general guidance and educational purposes only. Hallmark Homes does not supply or install smart home devices as part of our standard inclusions. Any recommendations mentioned are suggestions to help homeowners plan for potential smart home features during the design and build process. Homeowners are responsible for researching, selecting, and purchasing any smart home technology independently.