Kitchen & Bath Business March/April 2023 - 18

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HOME
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Their Wish Is Your Command
Stay up on the tech homeowners want...and what they don't know they want
TODAY, THE WORLD of home technology is
constantly evolving, making it increasingly
important for designers to stay on top of the
latest trends and products. A suggestion from
the Home Technology Association is to fi nd a
qualifi ed home technology integrator and make
them a part of your design team. Your integrator
is a great resource for learning what's new and
getting the tech installed in the most seamless
way. Let's explore some of the latest technology
homeowners are looking for in their homes and
some they may not yet know they want.
WEATHERPROOF TVS IN THE BATH
Many homeowners are looking for ways to incorporate
entertainment into their bathrooms.
One popular product in this category is weatherproof
TVs. Th ese are designed to withstand
the humid and wet conditions of a bathroom,
making it possible to watch a show or enjoy music
while having a relaxing soak in the spa tub.
" Voice control is a popular trend in
the kitchen, providing a hands-free
way to operate the TV and play
music while cooking or entertaining. "
VANITY TV MIRRORS
Some homeowners want a TV in their bathroom
but want it hidden when not in use. A mirror TV
is the perfect solution for this situation. When
the TV is off , all you see is the mirror. When it's
turned on, the TV picture may be clearly seen
through the mirror's surface. There are great
products on the market made especially for this,
with the TV's picture adjusted to look correct
when having to shine through the mirror, which
could otherwise distort the picture. Surface- and
fl ush-mount options are available.
TVs FLUSH IN A BACKSPLASH
To declutter kitchen countertops, how about
recessing the TV in the backsplash, making it
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possible to watch TV or view digital photos while cooking or entertaining?
Th is trend not only provides a convenient way to enjoy technology in the
kitchen but also helps keep the living space free of clutter and enhances the
overall aesthetic. Motorized TV lifts are another option here, hidden when
off and 'appear' when turned on.
WEATHERPROOF SPEAKERS
Along with weatherproof TVs, great sound for listening to music is another
popular technology homeowners are incorporating into their bathrooms.
Weatherproof speakers are a convenient way to enjoy music or listen to
audio books while getting ready for the day. Th ese speakers are water
resistant and can also be mounted in the shower. Th ere is a wide variety of
speaker solutions, many of them fully invisible or can match the size and
shape of the ceiling fi xtures so as not to 'stand out' visually. Again, lean
on your technology integrator for options, or visit the Resource Guide at
htacertifi ed.org to see some speaker options.
VOICE CONTROL IN THE KITCHEN
Th e kitchen is often the heart of the home, and homeowners are increasingly
looking for ways to make this space more convenient. Voice control is a
popular trend in the kitchen, providing a hands-free way to operate the TV
and play music while cooking or entertaining. With voice control, homeowners
can easily switch between channels and adjust the volume without
having to reach for a remote. Beyond TV watching, you can control your
lighting, shading, climate, security system and more - all with your voice.
Beyond the ubiquitous Google and Amazon voice assistants, professional-grade
voice-control systems are available that are not only much more
privacy focused but also respond to natural language commands instead of
having to memorize a series of non-intuitive commands.
FLUSH-MOUNTED TECH OPTIONS
We've grown accustomed to wall plates protruding, though when you see
them fl ush-mounted with the fi nished wall surface, it is a much cleaner
look. Th ese can be faux painted to blend in with any color or backsplash
design; we've seen them painted to match wood, stone and more. Since
code requirements often dictate having a fair number of electrical outlets
in the kitchen, this is a way to practically hide them in plain sight.
Home technology is an increasingly important consideration for homeowners,
and kitchen and bath designers play a key role in helping incorporate
these products into their clients' homes, as you are the ones driving the
project. Your home technology integrator is a key resource to incorporating
this tech into your designs in the most seamless way possible.
By Josh Christian, CEO of the Home Technology Association, which helps
design professionals and homeowners find the most qualified home technology
integrators, htacertified.org
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http://www.ed.org http://www.htacertified.org
Kitchen & Bath Business March/April 2023

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