Integrating home automation and interior design can be a challenging enterprise, in this month’s blog post we break down how to achieve transformative home automation alongside amazing interior design.
It doesn’t matter if you're a maximalist, or prefer mid-century modern, using the right products is key. If you would like to integrate multiple facets within your home then you need something that gives sleekness without compromising on quality. That’s why we use UniFi. Describing themselves as ‘an interior designer’s dream’, UniFi specialises in delivering super high-quality products with discreet and modern design aspects.
When it comes down to interior design, we find that most of our clients want to reduce the visual impact of tech, making UniFi a great option. Their Wi-Fi access points are designed to be unobtrusive and sit in your home without the fuss of excessive cables or large boxes. The majority of the Wi-Fi equipment comes in compact and neutral designs that can be wall or ceiling-mounted. UniFi even offers a range of different cover options, meaning you can actually camouflage access points to almost any background.
This client wanted to maintain the finish of the woodwork on their terrace bar, so we added a camouflaged access point.
If you decide not to go full camo, the standard UniFi white provides neutrality and fits with the majority of colour pallets allowing you to maintain an uninterrupted aesthetic. The design of this tech challenges the stereotypical image of how routers and cables are ‘supposed’ to look. You really don’t have to compromise on any element of home automation – it can all be beautiful.
UniFi CCTV cameras are tiny with a range of lens options. You can even have the entire camera mounted flush to the wall meaning the only visible part is the lens itself (a small black circle). Aesthetics aside, these cameras also provide 4K resolution and the more advanced models can offer a 360-degree field of view, making them ideal installations for large or awkwardly shaped rooms.
So how can you plan these super sleek, super effective elements into your interior design plan for your home? You need an awesome network design to really make the whole thing sing. Not introducing your network plan early enough can mean holes drilled where you don’t want them, cables on show, not to mention Wi-Fi that isn't actually very good.
Getting a good network plan sorted early in your design process, maximises the opportunity to have more integrations and means your network will be more effective overall. The right network plan should work in harmony with architectural drawings or building plans; the two things must complement rather than work against each other. With your network baked into your building, you can operate without compromise.
Clients who have chosen to integrate their network designs early, have had a transformative experience in their homes; they can regularly check in on CCTV if they are working away, make sure the temperatures are right for their return, and control what music gets played in what room, all from one central control panel.
Creating a network plan also means you can incorporate your tech into your interior design from the very start of your creative process. You may want to include some statement furniture or lighting, or have a particular wall in mind for a stunning piece of art – none of this will have quite the same impact if you need an access point right next to it to maintain a good internet connection. Considering all elements of your home automation in your interior design gives you more flexibility to cleverly conceal any elements you simply don’t want on show.
With the rise of home working, we have seen a growing trend of homeowners requiring uncompromised connectivity in their home offices. Gone are the days when the home worker is relegated to the spare room with a mess of wires, a massive printer, and a router on the windowsill. Home offices are in their lux-est era yet, with dedicated space becoming a priority. Many homeowners are opting to put their little oasis away from their main property, only increasing the need for an excellent network plan that allows the Wi-Fi to be bridged across multiple buildings without compromising on speeds.
Ultimately, with the right planning and resources, you can achieve awesome home automation that integrates seamlessly with your interior design.