High Tech Home Gadgets to Upgrade Your Decor

Share Share this post

You want a smart house and with technology’s constant upgrades, you’re ready for some snazzy home gadgets. But, some new home tech is garish — a total eyesore that messes with your style.  After spending months picking out new kitchen cabinets, new hardwood floors, and stylish furniture, the last thing you want is ugly home tech devices.

So, what gadgets won’t put a dent in your stylistic groove? Here are some hip, new items that won’t clash with your decor.  Some are driven by home automation software too, so you can control them with the touch of a button, right on your smartphone.

Upgrade Your Television

Tired of having that dark screen draw the eye? The completely transparent TV, designed by Michael Friebe, utilizes LCD technology, combined with TOLED display innovations in order to produce a solid, crystal-clear image. There is no drop in performance when it comes to this TV. From solid black to a dazzling white, this screen does it all, but when it’s off, don’t be surprised if you forget you have a TV at all.

Replace Your Thermostat

If you are running an inefficient heating and cooling system in your home, you are wasting money.  The Nest product not only looks cool but this solution manage your home heating, lowers your bills and your energy consumption. Nest is a learning thermostat that will remember your schedule (within about a week) and then heat and cool your home accordingly. After all, there’s no point in heating a house nobody is in. The folks at Nest insist that it can be installed by most people within 30 minutes, making this a smart gadget that seems like a no brainer. At only 3.2 inches across, and 1.26 inches thick, this little guy can cut down on your bill, but also keeps a low profile.

Install Cameras

While home surveillance systems can be bulky — and let’s be honest, sometimes down right ugly — models on the market now can be discrete and also help you take control of your family’s safety. Unlike older home surveillance systems, systems now have wireless, night-vision, IP and audio recording options. Lorex makes smaller-than-conventional cameras of this nature, so you can keep it classy and still take a more active role in keeping your family safe.

Use a Smart Lock

August is a smart lock that is easy to install onto any deadbolt. This lock talks to your phone via Bluetooth so it knows when you are leaving and when you are arriving. With an app for both IOS and Android, you can grant access to your home to other people who have the August app. Have friends or family visiting from out of town but can’t get off work in time to greet them? Just give them easy access with a touch of a button. August also tracks where and when people come and go, so you’ll know exactly who was visiting and when they left, if they stepped out before you got home.

As this lock only attaches to the inside of your door, nobody else knows you have it, and while it is slightly larger than a usual deadbolt flipswitch, August gives off a vibe of new-agedness and smooth tech.

Charge your Devices

There is no shortage of technology in the home today, especially when it comes to phones, ipads, and other devices that have become a part of our day to day lives.  But no one wants the clutter  created by counterless cords on their kitchen counters. 

If you are early in the process you can work with your cabinet maker, or buider, to create a storage solution in your kitchen, mudroom, or other spaces in your home, to store and charge all your devices. 

 
If you are looking for something a little more unique – or perhaps didn't factor this into your kitchen design – there are many companies today creating unique docking stations from a variety of materials like wood, cement, and recycled or upcycled materials.
 
Share Share this post

Back to Blog