Lifestyle: How to Integrate Technology Invisibly Into a Minimalist Home
The latest trend in home technology is complete integration with your interior. If it’s done well, you won’t even know it’s there…
Home technology is the future of lifestyle innovation – everything from your TV to your toaster will at some point be integrated into a home control system. But that doesn’t mean you need to compromise on your contemporary minimalist design.
Check out these audiovisual and technological products that can be seamlessly integrated into the home. This often takes careful planning and advance consideration, but the results can be spectacular, as these smart homes demonstrate.
Check out these audiovisual and technological products that can be seamlessly integrated into the home. This often takes careful planning and advance consideration, but the results can be spectacular, as these smart homes demonstrate.
Invisible… projectors
An alternative to having a TV screen is installing a projector, something that’s especially popular in home cinema design. As seen in this room, one option is to mount the projector on an automated lift, which discreetly folds away into the ceiling. Projectors can also be installed in the far wall with just a small hole (which can also be disguised) to shine through.
Another factor with projection is to consider the surface on which the image will appear. Unless you have a nice clear, white wall, consider installing a drop-down screen for a complete pop-up cinema experience.
An alternative to having a TV screen is installing a projector, something that’s especially popular in home cinema design. As seen in this room, one option is to mount the projector on an automated lift, which discreetly folds away into the ceiling. Projectors can also be installed in the far wall with just a small hole (which can also be disguised) to shine through.
Another factor with projection is to consider the surface on which the image will appear. Unless you have a nice clear, white wall, consider installing a drop-down screen for a complete pop-up cinema experience.
Invisible… speakers
There are a number of ways that speaker systems can be integrated into your home for a truly ambient experience. In this room, you can see a pair of in-ceiling loudspeakers, which are designed to be plastered over and become invisible (on the right one is pictured unplastered). These types of speakers are designed to make use of their placement to vibrate and amplify audio signals into the room for impressive quality. You can have the speakers installed in the ceiling or walls and this is especially popular with surround-sound systems.
Alternatively, you can opt for a solution that disguises your speakers in plain sight. For example, there are companies that specialise in designing canvas exteriors to look like works of art hanging on the wall. Similarly, in the garden you can have speakers disguised as rocks to blend in with the natural environment.
There are a number of ways that speaker systems can be integrated into your home for a truly ambient experience. In this room, you can see a pair of in-ceiling loudspeakers, which are designed to be plastered over and become invisible (on the right one is pictured unplastered). These types of speakers are designed to make use of their placement to vibrate and amplify audio signals into the room for impressive quality. You can have the speakers installed in the ceiling or walls and this is especially popular with surround-sound systems.
Alternatively, you can opt for a solution that disguises your speakers in plain sight. For example, there are companies that specialise in designing canvas exteriors to look like works of art hanging on the wall. Similarly, in the garden you can have speakers disguised as rocks to blend in with the natural environment.
Invisible… lighting
The introduction of LED strips into interior design has changed home lighting forever. The LED ceiling strips in this living room illustrate how ambient lighting can really lift the atmosphere of the room without the need for visible bulbs.
This effect works just as well under kitchen cupboards and worktops or to illuminate shelving units and comes with a number of added benefits for colour choice and remote control.
Discover how to transform your home with LEDs
The introduction of LED strips into interior design has changed home lighting forever. The LED ceiling strips in this living room illustrate how ambient lighting can really lift the atmosphere of the room without the need for visible bulbs.
This effect works just as well under kitchen cupboards and worktops or to illuminate shelving units and comes with a number of added benefits for colour choice and remote control.
Discover how to transform your home with LEDs
Invisible… AV rack
Audiovisual systems are increasingly complex in the home. You could have anywhere from 1 to 10+ boxes controlling your TV channels, lighting systems and other electrical products.
The smart way to combine this technology with a minimalist interior is to install everything into an AV rack, which can then be hidden away, as in this home office. With an automation system, your remote control can then wirelessly communicate with the hardware. This means, for example, that you won’t have to point your remote at the Sky box beneath the TV, because the Sky box will be out of sight and wirelessly controlled.
Audiovisual systems are increasingly complex in the home. You could have anywhere from 1 to 10+ boxes controlling your TV channels, lighting systems and other electrical products.
The smart way to combine this technology with a minimalist interior is to install everything into an AV rack, which can then be hidden away, as in this home office. With an automation system, your remote control can then wirelessly communicate with the hardware. This means, for example, that you won’t have to point your remote at the Sky box beneath the TV, because the Sky box will be out of sight and wirelessly controlled.
Invisible… control
The experience of invisible control can be taken even further from the AV rack by integrating your control devices. For example, take away the light switches on the wall and replace them with motion sensors or voice activation.
With a home automation system, you could also program interesting features, such as a different response for the time of day. So if you were to enter the kitchen at night, say, a motion sensor would trigger a warm, low-level light, whereas during the day you could set it to a bright white.
Another great use of technology is location tracking. Using a mobile device, your home can be programmed to respond as you come and go. For example, the lights and heating could automatically turn on as you approach and switch off as you leave. What’s more, all this can happen seamlessly behind the scenes.
The experience of invisible control can be taken even further from the AV rack by integrating your control devices. For example, take away the light switches on the wall and replace them with motion sensors or voice activation.
With a home automation system, you could also program interesting features, such as a different response for the time of day. So if you were to enter the kitchen at night, say, a motion sensor would trigger a warm, low-level light, whereas during the day you could set it to a bright white.
Another great use of technology is location tracking. Using a mobile device, your home can be programmed to respond as you come and go. For example, the lights and heating could automatically turn on as you approach and switch off as you leave. What’s more, all this can happen seamlessly behind the scenes.
Invisible… cameras
Cameras can be used for a variety of purposes on your property, but the main reason is security. There could be places where you’d want the cameras to be very visible, as they’re a known deterrent to intruders, but there may also be places where you want them to be discreet.
One popular option is to include a camera with your front door entry system. These cameras can be completely invisible to someone on your doorstep and allow you to see, and interact with, whoever is standing there.
Some systems will even record any movement at the front of your property and store the video clips for you to review later. With an integrated automation system, you also have the option to view your camera from a smart device from anywhere in the world.
Read a beginner’s guide to security doors
Cameras can be used for a variety of purposes on your property, but the main reason is security. There could be places where you’d want the cameras to be very visible, as they’re a known deterrent to intruders, but there may also be places where you want them to be discreet.
One popular option is to include a camera with your front door entry system. These cameras can be completely invisible to someone on your doorstep and allow you to see, and interact with, whoever is standing there.
Some systems will even record any movement at the front of your property and store the video clips for you to review later. With an integrated automation system, you also have the option to view your camera from a smart device from anywhere in the world.
Read a beginner’s guide to security doors
Invisible… room
Moving into the realms of the future, there are so many ways technology could advance and be integrated into our homes/ This en suite is a great example of how interior design and technology could work in harmony. Technology in the home isn’t all about speakers and TVs, but also the innovations that enhance our experience.
This hidden bathroom behind matching cupboard doors is beautifully clean and minimal, but could also be very practical. Without door knobs, perhaps you could have motion sensors to open the door on approach and lock it when you’re inside. You could also apply these ideas to many more experiences in the home.
Moving into the realms of the future, there are so many ways technology could advance and be integrated into our homes/ This en suite is a great example of how interior design and technology could work in harmony. Technology in the home isn’t all about speakers and TVs, but also the innovations that enhance our experience.
This hidden bathroom behind matching cupboard doors is beautifully clean and minimal, but could also be very practical. Without door knobs, perhaps you could have motion sensors to open the door on approach and lock it when you’re inside. You could also apply these ideas to many more experiences in the home.
Invisible… wine cellar
Or how about a hidden wine cellar with remotely accessed temperature controls and access.This could be controlled by a discreetly installed switch, a mobile device or even voice recognition.
TELL US…
Do you like this modern trend for minimalist design and integration? Share your thoughts and experiences in the Comments below.
Or how about a hidden wine cellar with remotely accessed temperature controls and access.This could be controlled by a discreetly installed switch, a mobile device or even voice recognition.
TELL US…
Do you like this modern trend for minimalist design and integration? Share your thoughts and experiences in the Comments below.
TVs are a popular focal point of many living spaces in modern homes. However, you’re not always watching and it doesn’t always need to be on display.
A simple solution is a cupboard design, as seen in this pared-down living room. This neatly integrates a screen into your interior design without the need for you to splash out on anything fancy. Another option is a pop-up TV on an automated lift. These can be installed anywhere from bedroom dressers to living room cupboards. When not in use, your TV will be fully hidden and save a lot of space.
For even more advanced integration, you could consider installing screens behind mirrors and other glass, such as the splashback in your kitchen. There are special televisions designed for this purpose. The TV remains invisible behind the mirror or glass until you turn it on, when it shines through.
Explore more ways to blend your TV into your décor