story by MANDY HOWARD
photos courtesy of ELEVATE TECHNOLOGIES
It’s easy to get distracted when writing about incredible new home innovations. From synchronized lighting and window shades to automated/app-controlled washers and dryers, I find myself absorbed in the research (and the wish list).
I playfully told my smart speaker, “I need to focus on writing!” In response, it devised a program that plays classical music (Mozart is a writer’s friend), with a gentle reminder to “keep writing” every 20 minutes until the work was done. No fanfare, nothing futuristic. Less “Back to the Future 2,” more Samwise Gamgee from “The Lord of the Rings”: it was a simple friend telling me, “Keep going, Frodo.”
It was the perfect reminder that smart home technology does not have to be a spectacle and it doesn’t have to be intimidating. It’s about enhancing everyday life in ways that feel effortless and genuinely useful.
As Tyler Blankenship, founder of Elevate Technologies in Durham, says, “A smart home is just a home you can interact with using technology.” A reality that many people with video doorbells, Alexa speakers and keyless locks are already living.
From comfort and entertainment to functionality and security—whether you’re building a custom home or simply considering
enhancements for your current one—here are several ways to integrate intelligent upgrades at every budget level.
Home comfort—lighting, climate, and cleanliness
According to Blankenship, the fastest-growing request is smart lighting. And while smart lighting can mean something as simple as
controlling the lights in your home with an app or an integrated system like Google or Alexa, the possibilities and advances that have been made are staggering.
He says, “When you’re talking about new home construction especially, architects used to be the ones leading the lighting design. Nowadays, builders and homeowners are looking to technology integrators to lead.”
For example, when consulted to come in early on a build, Elevate Technologies is able to ensure a home helps to reinforce circadian rhythms, leading to better sleep and overall health of the family who lives there. Blankenship explains, “In the morning, you want to have lighting slightly dim with a cool blue light to match the rising sun. As the day goes on, lights get brighter until evening when you try to match the setting sun with dimmer, warmer lights.”
Additionally, Hector Lopez, business development manager for Synergy Integrated Systems in Raleigh, says that shades in your home can also be paired and synchronized with the lighting to ensure that all the pieces work together to create the perfect feel. Likewise, smart thermostats, like Nest, have been around for years. However, new AI systems and apps allow for those systems to be integrated and communicate with one another.
As for convenience and comfort, many consumers have already fallen in love with their robot vacuums, and an increasing number are enjoying the benefits of smart washers and dryers. With improved sensory technology, these appliances provide more accurate drying times and send push notifications to your phone to ensure clothes never sit too long after a cycle is completed.
Media, cooking, and the next iteration of home entertainment
Lopez notes that requests for smart home entertainment have grown exponentially since the COVID-19 pandemic. While it may not involve TVs rising magically from the floor or disco balls spinning from the ceiling, creating a smart and inviting home entertainment setup has never been easier.
“Creating a media room or home theater brings families together. People come over for movie night, or to watch the big game; it’s about creating the whole experience,” Lopez says.
Technology experts can help homeowners simplify their media experience through voice-activated media, sound integration throughout the whole home, and even create an optimum “movie lighting” setting that could modify several lights at once.
But entertainment isn’t just about what you’ll watch; it’s also about what you’ll eat. Yes, there are smart options for that as well. Smart ovens, including offerings from Brava and Breville, offer the convenience of air fryers with increased versatility, allowing you to cook anything from pizza and veggies to fish and bread. Like most smart home options, these can often be controlled via an app on your phone and can even tell you when your food is done—which, I imagine, is a much more pleasant experience than the smoke alarm telling you your food is overdone.
Security, peace of mind, and how AI is changing the game
So many people are using smart devices without even realizing it. A primary example of that is a Ring—or any other “smart” doorbell or door camera. Being able to monitor your home, your pets and your Amazon delivery packages while you’re at the office or traveling has brought an increased peace of mind. However, as Lopez explains, that’s one particular area where AI is creating even greater convenience.
“I got my parents an early generation Ring doorbell and I would get a notification every time a squirrel walked by, and my parents live in the woods,” he laughs. But with AI integration, not only can the updated camera tell the difference between people and animals, it can learn when you want to be alerted. Likewise, he explains, it can identify your car and license plate so that if it’s you coming in the driveway, the lights turn on automatically, ensuring you’re not walking into a dark home.
The security no-brainer upgrade Blankenship recommends is a smart lock. “Using a smart lock is such a simple thing and you can get one from so many different brands,” he says. In addition to being able to lock and unlock the door remotely, different codes can be assigned to different people. For example, the dog walker may have one code and the cleaner can have another. Each of those codes can then be programmed to work only at specific times, ensuring that people who have access to your home are only there when you know they will be. “If it were my house and I had nothing else, I would absolutely want a smart lock.”
Tyler Blankenship, founder of Elevate Technologies in Durham, designs and integrates custom home systems. His work creates seamless, intuitive technology that fits spaces and enhances everyday living.
Smart home advice for new builds and existing homes
Triangle market is unique because you—or someone you know—is more likely to be building a home here than in many other areas because of its strong construction market. Blankenship and Lopez recommend thinking about future needs now—no matter where you are in the process.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or upgrading the home you already love, smart home technology offers opportunities to make
daily life easier, safer, and more comfortable.
Top Practical Takeaways:
- Bring technology integrators in early. For new builds, involve them during the construction phase to plan wiring, network infrastructure and placement of devices.
- Plan your wiring for the future. Lopez says, “Wireless is great, but wire is always going to be better. Clients may not want to spend all the money on cameras or speakers now, but the wire itself is inexpensive.” Additional purchases can be made further down the road, but creating the infrastructure now could save lots of money on retrofitting later.
- Beef up your Wi-Fi. No matter which upgrades you choose, chances are you’ll be using more Wi-Fi. A strong system is the surest way to avoid headaches down the road.
- Let technology serve you. Don’t try to keep up with the coolest gadgets. What are your needs? What causes consistent issues in
your home? Find out how smart systems can alleviate day-to-day stresses.
- Let go of cost and complexity myths. Smart solutions are available for every home and every budget.
- Start small. Don’t try to change everything at once. Choose one thing that piques your curiosity and try it out. Many items such as smart speakers, doorbells, vacuums, and locks are fairly affordable online or at your favorite home improvement store.
When done well, smart home technology should fade into the background, working seamlessly to create a home that supports your
family’s unique lifestyle and needs. The only question is … where will you start?