Kitchen & Bath Business January/February 2025 - 30

SMAR T HOME DESIGN
Seeing the Light
An industry
pro shares
the top
tech-savvy
lighting
trends
Smart lighting in the connected home has never been more advanced.
From forward leaps in AI and machine learning to the
expanding range of tunable luminaires, smart lighting can assist
homeowners with everything from wellness to security to cooking
and entertaining. Several lighting trends have gained traction over
the last year or so, and we will take a look at seven to note.
1. The Acceptance of AI. As recently as two years ago, the
mention of " artifi cial intelligence " was met with suspicion. Users
were concerned about a range of issues, not the least of which
was security. It seems that as people have become more and
more comfortable with AI, they've begun to understand how it
really can enhance their lifestyle. Imagine a system that tells the
homeowner: " You've adjusted the lighting in a particular way the
last six times you've walked into this room - would you like to
set a scene that does that automatically? " That kind of machine
learning is now regarded as the ultimate convenience.
Custom lighting fi xtures
elegantly frame the hallway,
illuminating this walkway
designed by Freestyle
Interiors. Photo credit: KB
Real Estate Photography
2. Making Lighting Energy Effi cient. When you couple smart
lighting and intelligent shading, you can protect against passive
heating and harvest daylight when needed. With the right photo
sensors, it's easy to take full advantage of natural light. And if a
client is especially fond of daylight scenes, you can often eliminate
the need for artifi cial light for long stretches of the day.
Add motion sensors, and you have a system that can shut down
lighting in a room when it's not occupied.
3. Lighting That Adds Security. Imagine a motion sensor that
detects an intruder and turns the lights on throughout the home
while sending CCTV feeds around the perimeter to every display
in the house. If the homeowner needs to call the authorities - or
if someone in the home is in distress - a single-touch controller
can set exterior lights fl ashing so that fi rst responders can identify
the right home quickly.
4. Enhancing Outdoor Living. Exterior lighting isn't just for
security or dramatic effects. As outdoor areas become extensions
of cooking, dining and entertaining spaces, the demand
for smart lighting around decks, pools, porches and patios has
increased.
5. Demand for Dynamic Lighting. Circadian (or biorhythmic)
lighting is a known entity, but clients want to go beyond tunable
lighting that simply helps with sleep/wake cycles. Imagine
bathroom settings that are brighter for the tasks associated with
getting ready for work, then become warmer and a bit dimmer
in the evening for a spa-like effect. That notion of task lighting
morphing into temperatures and colors for relaxation applies to
the kitchen as well - and the color of lighting can have a huge
impact on helping food appear more appetizing.
6. Client-Driven Customization. Gone are the days when an
integrator had to adjust every aspect of a smart lighting system.
Suppose a client wants to highlight a new piece of artwork or even
a fl oral arrangement; smart home systems now have options that
allow the user to quickly tweak a specifi c luminaire or zone of the
home. Additionally, decorator fi xtures - from chandeliers to fl oor
lamps - can now be easily integrated into a larger system.
7. A System That Updates. The best smart home systems rely
on software platforms that are constantly being refi ned and
updated. This means that new features can be added to a smart
lighting system without the need for new hardware - often at no
extra charge to the client.
It's important to note that a key to the smart home experience
- whether for lighting or any other system - is a simple, intuitive
interface. That's why it's best to hire a professional integrator for
a smart lighting system. A pro can craft a reliable, user-friendly
solution - one that's not readily available off the shelf at a bigbox
store.
By JoAnn Arcenal, Director, Business Development, Crestron,
crestron.com
30 JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2025
http://www.crestron.com
Kitchen & Bath Business January/February 2025

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