Kitchen & Bath Business January/February 2023 - 25

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Increasing your confidence with smart tech offerings
KITCHEN AND BATH DESIGNERS are expected to be experts on every
amenity. It is challenging enough to keep up to date with design trends
and the ever-evolving appliance landscape, though statistics show another
category may be even tougher for designers to confront ... smart home
technology. Th is article is meant to help you feel more confi dent in recommending
this to your clients.
Th e National Kitchen & Bath Association's " 2022 Design Trends Report "
revealed that only 30% of kitchen and 21% of bath projects included
integrated technology features. Th e reason these numbers are so low can
be deduced by the next fi nding: Only 29% of designers are using a home
technology pro for kitchen projects and only 24% for bath projects. Th e
same report revealed that homeowners are excited about integrating technology
into these spaces.
ADD A HOME TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATOR AS A TEAM RESOURCE
An integrator is a professional who designs, installs and services all manner
of home technologies. Th ese range from audio/video, smart home systems,
home theater, lighting controls, motorized shading, security, home networks,
wellness and more. Th e home technology integrator has roots in audio/video,
so you may have heard them called " AV guys, " though that name is no longer
accurate. Besides the fact that an increasing amount of integration fi rms are
woman-owned, audio/video is just one aspect of what they do.
A qualifi ed integrator will help your design practice in important ways.
For one, they are your resource for answering all your and your clients' home
technology questions. Technology is progressing so fast that it is a full-time
job for them to keep up to date, so you can unburden yourself from thinking
you need to be up on every new development.
Next, many of them will have their own showroom or can take you to
manufacturer showrooms that will allow you and your clients to experience
these technology systems fi rsthand. When you experience various home
technologies in a demo, you will be more confi dent informing your clients
about their options.
WHY ADDRESS HOME TECHNOLOGY ON YOUR PROJECTS?
For starters, as NKBA research has shown, clients want it. Th ough what is
in it for you, the kitchen and bath designer? Happier clients and kitchens
and baths with more of a wow factor, which will lead to more referrals.
For example, by controlling both natural and artifi cial light, the entire
look of the kitchen or bath can literally transform in seconds, with a single
button push. Lighting color temperature and intensity can adjust automatically
to mimic natural sunlight even as that changes throughout the day.
Some studies suggest this helps with your circadian rhythm and improves
the wellness aspect of the environment. Properly designed lighting systems
can also transform to match how you want to use the space. It can be bright
for cleaning, or you can use warmer color temperatures and dimmer settings
for a relaxed or even a romantic setting.
Motorized shading adds privacy, security and may be programmed to
raise and lower based on sunrise and sunset or
react to the presence of direct sunlight. Th ese
features will mitigate unwanted heat gain and
possible damage to furniture. Music systems,
often with fl ush-mounted or invisible speakers,
can instantly transform the mood from boring to
entertaining You can watch TVs that are invisible
until turned on, either using special mirrors
or motorized TV lifts. Only your imagination
stands in the way of what can be done. And when
designed early by a competent integrator, all of
this is easy to use through a few apps or even one
single centralized app.
" When you experience various
home technologies in a demo, you
will be more confident informing
your clients about their options. "
More kitchen- and bath-specifi c manufacturers
are making their products work with smart
homes, too. Kohler, Moen, Gaggenau, Sub-Zero
and others are adding smart home features
to integrate their products with other systems.
For example, an " unwind " button can activate a
connected tub, start aromatherapy, change the
lighting to any desired color and play ambient
soundscapes. Th at is the defi nition of luxury!
A ONE-PAGE TECHNOLOGY CHECKLIST
To get started with meeting your clients' tech
needs, you can access a Project Technology Assessment
form at bit.ly/PTA-form that will give
you a checklist of the home technologies that integrators
can help design, install and service.
To keep your finger on the pulse of design
meeting technology, subscribe for free to the
Home Technology Design enewsletter at
htacertifi ed.org and to both Connected Design
and Technology Designer magazines.
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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KBBONLINE.COM
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Kitchen & Bath Business January/February 2023

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