Smart-home technology offers cutting-edge benefits and convenience for every room. Advances have been most pronounced in the kitchen and bathroom, as well as the operation of the home’s temperature and lighting.
Now, smart-home features are expanding to include another – arguably most important – area, the bedroom. At a time when consumer health is a top priority, the importance of a person’s relaxation from the day’s stresses is becoming top of mind for many.
Companies are responding with more features in the bedroom to help set the mood for a better sleep, including:
Beds – Alexa and Siri, the voice-activated assistants offering breakthrough benefits to the home, are being “trained” to learn more actions with the help of mattress makers. Beds can adjust firmness, temperature and angles at the touch of a button – and now with voice commands. Some beds have been paired with apps to even track sleep patterns, as well as heart and respiratory rates. A sleep score is generated after each night’s rest.
Pillows – The pillow is the most important aspect of a restful sleep. It now can work while you snooze. These items are truly devices wrapped inside a cushion made of breathable fabric and memory foam. Specialty pillows include alarms and sound systems that play soft music, calming sounds and read to you. Some smarter models even help prevent snoring by gently turning your head to one side to stimulate the relaxed throat muscles that cause vibrations.
Blinds/curtains – There Is nothing worse than getting comfy under the covers to discover distracting light shining through the blinds. Just like the rest of the house, the bedroom can include voice-activated adjustable window treatments. Some versions allow you to open blinds or curtains in sync with your alarm clock or at sunrise.
Plugs – Breakthroughs with electrical outlets and those three-pronged items plugged into them have taken on a new meaning of smart. An outlet fitted with a smart plug allows almost any device to be controlled via an app or with the help of your voice-enabled assistant. For example, if the room temperature becomes too warm, a smart plug could turn on the ceiling fan you are asleep.
Purifiers – Beyond controlling the temperature, the air can also be monitored to eliminate impurities. Air purifiers are a game-changer. (I have one in my home and it has reduced my sneezing and cleared the remnants of cooking odors.) Purifiers work behind the scenes and smarter models generate reports to give you a better idea of what is in – and, more importantly, not in – the air you breathe. Make sure you buy a purifier that comes with HEPA filters for best results.
The key to a successful experience is to connect a home speaker/assistant in the bedroom. Ensure it is within a close distance for your voice to reach the device as well as for you to hear it clearly.
If buying new construction, ask the sales representatives about their smart-home features. Many builders will customize a technology package. While some items, such as the bed and pillow, require you to make the purchase, other wired and app-based tech features can be included by the builder at move-in.
Whether a new or resold home, smart tech is here to stay and should be part of your next purchase or remodel.
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I developed a guide called Smart-home Technology: Planning and budgeting for the newest advances in safe living. It’s yours to download free at the website Smart-Homes.Technology.