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In Cinderella, little bluebirds wake up the princess and start her shower with plenty of singing and natural light. In the Jetsons, a personalized alarm clock greets George by name while robotic arms nudge him out of slumber. Today, a mashup of those animated versions is realized with apps making alarm clocks chirp, morning light to mimic the sun and showers programmed to your ideal temperature and pressure. Much like Mr. Jetson, one can wake to their name announced by a motivating Oprah, bubbly Taylor Swift or ready-for-the-win Sylvester Stallone.
Just as Jane and George had robots assist their morning routine from shower conveyor belts to instant toast, we have 3D-printed food and coffee on demand — but we’re still waiting for instant hair setters! As AI continues to infiltrate our lives, it’s possible to embrace these futuristic — even at times cartoonish — features with open arms. From wake up to wind down, a bit of tech here and there can make our homes smarter, more efficient and more enjoyable.
In tapping expert future thinkers and cutting-edge builders and designers for this feature, we found smart rooms have the ability to seriously optimize our lives. No longer is the concept catering to every convenience and indulgence (though that’s still on tap — stay tuned for cold plunges and concierge cleaning); it’s about streamlining day-to-day multitasking for a healthier, brighter lifestyle. Our culture obsesses over longevity and smart homes can help track, create and maintain healthy habits, especially sleep, diet and exercise. We invest in spas, gyms and specialists, but now we’re turning our dollars to our homes, fine-tuning each corner with the latest tech, which is advancing at the speed of light.
Illustration by Eleanor Shakespeare
“By 2050, we will be in a true smart home age,” says Raj Sachdev, an academic and futurist. “I’ve begun to wonder if we will get there somewhat sooner, but truly smart needs to be affordable to mainstream consumers, which takes time. We need to adequately consider how a smart home can be powered by interoperable devices [computer systems that are able to work together] that not only talk to, but also learn from one another.”
This synchronicity has begun as smart hubs (Amazon, Google, Apple, etc.) communicate throughout the home and as more appliances are added to the menu of offerings. In Sachdev’s 2018 TED Talk, he predicted many of the possibilities coming to life with this harmony in mind. In the future, he envisions smart toilets that are able to collect data from users and communicate that information to a 3D food printer to determine the optimal meal for that day based on preference and health, and then deliver that by flying robotic trays. He also sees traditional walls being replaced with smart walls, which can be moved based on real or anticipated need.
While we’re used to the modern age of hands-free devices, using voice commands to play music, set alarms and write grocery lists, the next wave of tech promises to be not just responsive to our commands, but proactive to them. Predictability is on the verge as AI anticipates our every move, tailoring tiny things from the temperature of the bed in the middle of the night to the brightness of the kitchen lights early in the morning. It’s a little creepy if you feel like robots are stalking your every move, but let’s face it, it’s also pretty clever. Our lives are getting more customizable, and our homes are working overtime to become more intelligent.
Here, we invite you, dear reader, to come along on a room-by-room tour of today’s smart home. Find where you land on the creepy versus cool scale and if there’s room for something “smarter” in your world. Does a smarter home make a happier home? Maybe. But there’s no denying that there’s some serious straight-A genius happening, and we may feel safer, calmer, healthier and more energized because of it.
The Smart Bedroom
“Good morning, Jennifer.” The words are whisper-soft, comforting, alluring, unmistakably AI, yet unmistakably Morgan Freeman. The actor is wishing me a wonderful day through the Avo alarm app. A secondary alarm casts a gradual, soothing, sunlike glow, activating my circadian rhythm, combined with mechanical bird chirps. The bed vibrates softly, purposely using biometrics to wake me during the lightest sleep phase, leading to the least amount of brain fog. Any minute, the blinds will open by themselves, and a beautiful custom morning will begin.
Sleep is one of life’s big secrets, and smarter bedrooms mean smarter sleep, which means a smarter start to the day. The more we rest, the more optimal our awake time, so it’s easy to feel great about investing in sleep-improving products. The smart bed has the power to alter a night of rest in hopes of improving memory, metabolism, immunity and cardiovascular health, according to Bioengineering journal and The American Society for Regenerative Medicine. In shifting away from bed frames once tricked out with USB ports for every watch, phone and tablet, we’re following the science that’s shown that it’s smarter to get devices out of the bedroom and, instead, turn toward the integrated smart mattress system.
“To help wind down after a busy day, smart beds offer adaptive technologies that are a big hit with those looking to get restful sleep and personalized services,” says Sachdev. His favorites include the Bryte Balance Smart Bed for “immersive relaxation” and AI-powered Sleep Concierge for insights on sleep habits; the i8 smart bed by Sleep Number, offering adjustability and SleepIQ score; the Home MediCare Bed 2.0, where integrated sensors monitor vital signs and have direct connection to medical personnel; and the EightSleep Pod 4 Ultra, which targets REM sleep, mitigates snoring and more. The latter pod, which can go on any bed, uses sensors to track health metrics and is clinically proven to give an extra hour of sleep every night. Backed by a scientific advisory board, including Peter Attia, MD, who penned Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity, celebrities are all over this pod that cools, elevates (that’s for you, snorers), helps ditch the wearables (all those tracking rings and watches) and wakes you to vibration and a thermal alarm. Even George Jetson would be jealous of that.
“Sleep fitness” is a non-addictive competitive sport that everyone — both innovators and consumers — wants to win. The TEMPUR-Ergo Smart Bases powered by Sleeptracker-AI offers daily personalized insights to improve your sleep over time. DeRUCCI’s smart mattresses are dubbed “bedroom oxygen bars” with air purification, aromatherapy technology and “sleep and dream” music albums with built-in speakers for peaceful slumber. Innovators hope that by tracking biometrics, such as chest vibrations, heartbeats and respiration, smart beds could eliminate the need for sleep aids. Our sleeping habits are no longer our own, and maybe we’ll be better for it.
Quick Genius
The Hatch alarm clock offers modern Cinderella magic, simulating chirping birds and early “sunlight” to wake you slowly. You can use your smartphone to control it, plus it’s more reliable than many alarm apps. Extra perks include custom colors and guided meditations.
The Smart Bathroom
In the Netflix documentary Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever, Bryan Johnson seeks to maintain youth and vitality at any cost. The billionaire tech entrepreneur starts every morning in his bathroom, staring into a special light that looks like a computer monitor and mimics sun exposure. It’s like stepping outside into natural light, but could it be smarter than the sun?
Lights and mirrors are big stars of the smart bathroom. Your mirror can be your personal trainer and television, hiding behind its disguise only to turn on when you walk into the room, delivering your weather, news, daily schedule and the latest episode of your favorite show. MirrorVue is controlled with the wave of a hand, making it a hospitality favorite, while Artforma’s smart mirror has illumination, custom light hues, hidden speakers and a subtle clock. The HiMirror has LED lights, magnification and an integrated camera to analyze skin conditions and provide personalized skincare advice.
“The convergence of personal health technology with home systems presents an exciting frontier,” says Khoi Vo, president and CEO of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). “Envisioning a future where bathroom mirrors detect early signs of illness and sync this data with health apps exemplifies the potential of such integration. This advancement would be particularly beneficial for aging populations aiming to maintain independence.” ASID’s 2025 Trends Outlook Report notes how many seniors are choosing to age in place, offering another benefit for designing smart homes to support health, connectivity and autonomy.
Mirrors could be key for what’s to come in medicine. “In-home diagnostics tech will soon become a reality, which means care can happen in the home on a much more frequent basis,” says Mark Bryan, senior manager at Future Today Institute, which helps organizations prepare for the future. “This could be a huge help to those who struggle with mobility or require daily support.”
Integrated bathroom fixtures are controlled by the smart home’s central system, so apps and voice commands can fill the bath, adjust water temperature, set the mood with LED lighting and play a favorite podcast. Kohler, Moen and Delta are among some of the brands offering voice-activated shower systems to control water flow and temperature with preset shower profiles and voice-activated spray patterns.
For soakers, smart baths are more spa-like with color therapy and customizable temperatures. Tubs can remember preferred water temperature and massage settings and flow always-hot water for a better bath experience. American Standard’s whirlpool bath has targeted hydrotherapy massage jets, customizable water temperature and built-in Bluetooth for streaming music during soaks. For Wim Hof fans, the new ice bath by Kohler x Remedy Place (a prestigious wellness club in Los Angeles and New York City) brings home the physical and mental benefits of ice bathing. Cold plunges ease swelling in muscle tissue and boost overall mood. Plus, this modern bath not only looks sleek, it’s also extremely intelligent. Aside from ergonomics and UV sanitization, its tracking mechanisms monitor sessions with integrated timers, breath light aids and a smartphone slot to safely store your device while listening to coaching sessions from Remedy Place founder and CEO Jonathan Leary on the app.
“A true splurge that adds so much luxury to life, as well as longevity, is the modern spa,” says designer and Million Dollar Decorator star Martyn Lawrence Bullard. “It’s tricked out with lighting programs that soothe or energize; the latest red-light technology found in the infrared sauna and steam room; water pools heated to exact body temperatures; precise cold plunge requirements; and the latest skin technology. The tech is so advanced now, it’s a vital part of well-being and the future of our health and personal longevity.”
These features make everything luxe, but another, albeit less sexy, aspect is efficiency. Smart bath fixtures reduce water usage and track energy consumption. Smart fans control moisture and mold, while water-saving bidets are built into some Kohler and Toto toilets, eliminating the need for toilet paper. As Sachdev predicted, intelligent toilets that analyze urine and waste to suggest health tweaks are on the way. If our toilets and mirrors can make suggestions for our diet and skin, it’s promising that this room could be critical for making proactive decisions for our health.
Quick Genius
Billionaire tech guru Bryan Johnson can afford anything, but his morning light therapy lamp will only set you back about $100. Gaze at the Carex Day Light for 30 minutes to soak in the optimal 10,000 LUX light therapy to elevate your mood, improve sleep, combat jet lag and boost energy levels and concentration.
The Smart Kitchen
The heart of the home is where you get smart synergy flowing, and you’ll look and feel like a pro — the chef de cuisine, barista and baker all at once. In today’s connected kitchen, creating more requires less, meaning you can keep kneading the dough or chopping the veggies instead of adjusting knobs and buttons with olive oil on your hands.
As more appliances become automated, home chefs are free to focus on the tasks at hand, letting voice-activated assistants set timers, preprogrammed ovens lock in cooking modes and smart refrigerators suggest recipes and track inventory. For the latter, LG and Samsung offer mind-blowing fridges. The Samsung Bespoke Smart Refrigerator has automatic doors opened by sensors, so if hands are full or covered in sauce, no biggie! The outside panel sports a family hub screen to display photos, stream music, watch videos and access recipes while connecting to other tech points across the home, including the family’s smartphones. This smart fridge even alerts you when it’s your turn to cook dinner, with a recipe suggestion based on what’s available in the fridge. The AI vision is found inside, too, tracking what’s put in and taken out of the fridge, constantly updating inventory and making grocery lists accessible from your phone. All this streamlines busy life with quick reordering, meal planning, calendar syncing and hopefully more cooking together.
Likewise, LG’s ThinQ technology and app syncs all smart appliances in the house to one platform (here’s that synchronicity), sending personalized notifications for all rooms. Just like an update when groceries are low, it’ll let you know when you’re almost out of laundry or dishwasher detergent, when the vacuum needs charging and when air quality in the home is optimal or needs adjusting. The alerts are endless: cue the kids to unload the dishwasher, scan a package barcode to prep the microwave, cast a show to the TV, have the stovetop buzz the family — dinner is ready!
Automation shows up in intelligent ovens such as the KitchenAid Smart Oven, featuring apps letting you remotely power and monitor, adjust temps for precise cooking and save cooking patterns for consistency. Countertop ovens and air fryers have a reputation for warp speed, and now brands like Brava and Breville use algorithms to replicate cooking techniques (i.e. roast, reheat, sear, dehydrate, slow-cook, air-fry) with integrated cameras, touchscreens and thousands of recipes on demand. Plus, their smaller sizes and price tags make them fun to experiment with.
“While many rooms can be enhanced with smart tech, the kitchen is an easy area to customize for efficiency and can provide extreme value for busy folks,” says Sachdev, stressing that customized tracking for particular habits and preferences is key, with more innovations coming. “Researchers at Virginia Tech have envisioned and piloted virtual windows, essentially ‘touchscreen film,’ as opposed to backsplashes. And as 3D food printers such as Foodbot and Mmuse enter the consumer market, these devices may save time and print food on demand from remote locations.”
Not ready to commit to futuristic synced appliances or the idea of 3D-printed food? Start small. The Revolution Cooking smart toaster transforms toast, browning to the preferred degree in half the time, while a digital screen doubles as a frame for family pictures. The Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker has “voice-to-brew technology,” so it’s possible to literally brew from bed. Likewise, espresso machines are catching up; Terra Kaffe calls itself the first barista robot and saves preferences cup by cup, communicating through an app so your favorite drink comes down to one touch. Ember travel mugs control desired temperature for up to three hours and have Apple location detection enabled, so if it goes to the land of the lost thermoses, it won’t be for long. Sous vide, slow cookers, smokers and icemakers are all smarter now, suggesting the connected kitchen has no limits.
Quick Genius
Not that we could handle saying goodbye to the beloved KitchenAid mixer, but the GE Smart Mixer has an autosense mechanism to precisely weigh foods with “zero doubt” — two words cooks love. Bakers appreciate sensing how thin or thick dough is (sourdough, anyone?), and the machine can emulsify, foam and mix using voice control.
The Smart Living Room
Lounging and entertaining smarter — is it a thing? Of course it is. Whether reading the news in the morning or unwinding with music or a movie in the evening, the living room can be a full sensory experience. Customize the mood of the room from light to sound to smell. Everything that makes a hotel lobby feel inviting, soothing and signature can be replicated at home with senses tailored to preference and time.
When it comes to smart lighting, automated timers give rooms a concierge feeling, going on and off, dimmer or brighter, at just the right time. Select a programmed movie-night preference or “set it and forget it” for added security while away. Lutron Serena shades come in classic varieties (think roller, wood, honeycomb) yet work on voice command with Alexa, Google, Sonos or SmartThings for a hands-free experience.
“Even though the technology isn’t necessarily new, automated shades are continuing to evolve,” says Alex Lelchuk, founder of Lelch AV, a Twin Cities company that focuses on seamless smart technology from invisible or small aperture speakers that match recessed lighting to automated shades in designer fabrics. “Before, these shades used to be a bit of an eyesore and were pretty loud, but now they come in much slimmer forms and can match the aesthetics of the room so that windows virtually disappear. Plus, they’re practically silent and can be programmed to open or close based on the positioning of the sun throughout the day, per window.”
For more light-tuning, layer on more light with smart bulbs. Ketra, Lumens, Meross and Phillips are among the leaders with bulbs that go above and beyond. Screw one in and use the app to create a lighting schedule and adjust color depending on the time of day or mood. Lower the lights from your phone — you’ll never need another dimmer switch. Since most bulbs sync with your preferred smart home system, you can configure settings (temp, color, etc.) into a saved “scene” to quickly cue “movie night,” “cocktail party” or “sunrise.” If you want more party in your scene, WiZ and Philips Hue sync to Spotify in real time for a dynamic light show.
For those wanting the DJ feel in every room, voice-enabled Sonos wireless speakers let users simply say “Hey Sonos” to instantly adjust audio. For vinyl fans, the collaboration with Victrola Stream brings turntables into the smart home era, seamlessly integrating with Sonos for a modern listening experience with throwback flair — drop the needle and vintage-style sound fills the room. For movies, the Arc Ultra Soundbar and Sub 4 Subwoofer perk up the home theater sound, making your smart TV even more brilliant. Options like Roku’s namesake TV and Samsung’s OLED have crisp resolution and outlets for soundbars and gaming stations, while the Samsung Frame offers smart capabilities when on, but doubles as a painting when off. There’s nothing like a Monet to counteract all the tech around you.
In creating a sleeker statement piece, architectural technology integrates the TV into the wall for a seamless look. “For example, instead of simply mounting an 85-inch TV on a media room wall with ceiling speakers, we might install a micro-LED video wall, recessed flush within Italian porcelain, paired with small aperture or invisible speakers for an integrated, architectural feel,” says Chris Hayes, owner of Minnesota-based NorthStar Home Technologies. Products like Wall-Smart allow his team to recess or inlay keypads, touchscreens and voice control devices, or even eliminate them all together in wall cavities. This concept is popping up in media rooms, living rooms and even four-season porches for movie nights with a view. For clients who want things more hidden, Hayes suggests a motorized TV lift, which can emerge from under the bed or custom furniture, complete with invisible or small aperture speakers and voice control to tie the room together.
“Many of us have become hyper-focused on entertainment in our homes, whether we are hosting a party or watching the latest Netflix release,” says Mark Bryan of the Future Today Institute, adding that visual and audio accessories and new releases from Samsung and others are taking entertainment to the next level through haptic interactivity and dynamic 3D visualizations.
Lelchuk, who looks to elevate the living room experience with everything from golf simulators to micro-LED walls to replace laser projectors, suggests integrating home theater platform Kaleidescape, which might be the next best thing to an actual movie theater. “One of the drawbacks of streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime is that the movie file is very compressed, only giving you a fraction of the uber-talented audio being produced by sound engineers and artists on a feature film,” he says.
To top off the sensory experience, automatic diffusers bring that je ne sais quoi into a residence. Small, discreet diffusers such as Aroma360 use “aromatechnology,” which can be controlled remotely by Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to create scent schedules and intensity, so the home always smells exactly how you want. Scent improves mood, relaxation and clarity, and offers that signature calling card. Just like a hotel that always smells the same in the best, branded way, your home, too, could smell like a Ritz-Carlton.
Quick Genius
The Sonos Ace headphones delight teens and introverts, seamlessly transitioning from immersive home audio to tuning out the world for a morning meditation or walk.
The Smart Utility
From solar panels to EV charging, there’s no doubt the house is getting smarter top to bottom. One corner not to be overlooked is the hard-working entry, where smart hubs control the thermostat, security, surveillance, doorway sensors and keyless entry. Nest and Ring have streamlined these automated features, and now, biometric sensors can create personalized access from fingerprint or facial recognition. Soon we’ll be using eye scans to get inside the house, which feels very Mission: Impossible.
While it’s all very James Bond and super sleek, this streamlining also reduces cord clutter — a designer’s dream. “Companies like Cosentino are teaming up with tech brands to integrate charging stations into solid surfaces throughout the home,” says Vo of the ASID. “This integration provides an added layer of convenience, giving people the ability to charge electronics from almost any room without the hassle of using a cord, finding an outlet or having the right connector for your device.” He believes we’ll eventually stop using electrical outlets and light switches. “The shift to wireless charging helps eliminate the difficulties that come with designing lighting and electrical systems, which affect the aesthetics of a project and often limit where furniture and powered accessories can be placed,” adds Vo.
Wires are out, robots are in. When we’re out of the house, robot vacuum cleaners can be programmed to work. Roomba and Roborock are among the autonomous vacuums, and some can even mop. It’s feeling one step closer to Rosey in the Jetsons, only she could also fold laundry and do dishes — we’re not there yet! Robot lawn mowers, snow blowers and pool cleaners have capabilities beyond clearing leaves, snow and gunk. Other land versions can haul heavy equipment (some up to 3,000 pounds) and monitor property lines to ensure that there is nothing there that shouldn’t be — a massive opportunity for progress. Another reminder that the robots are coming — actually, they’re here.
Quick Genius
A Yarbo lawn mower will set you back about $5,000, and while it’s an investment, it’s one less monthly bill for homeowners whose properties require a lot of yard work.
All of the robots and AI have arguably made our homes smarter and more streamlined. Cords and cables have been replaced by apps and commands, predicting our next moves and freeing up space — a shift that’s both convenient and visually appealing.
“Tech formerly was so clunky and obvious in homes — it took up a tremendous amount of room and severely interfered with the design and beauty of a space,” says Vo. “The evolution into sleeker, more integrated equipment has been game-changing for interior designers, enabling their vision to remain uncompromised by the tech trappings that clients expect. Technology is no longer a bonus but a baseline in the home.”
As this baseline continues to evolve and the bells and whistles get shinier and louder by the minute, there’s promise of even more. Aside from the wow factor, many innovators and industry pros hope that the mental health benefits will make leaps, too. Curt Dubose, founder of Texas-based PentaVia Custom Homes, utilizes smart tech in his homebuilding processes, from automated job site scheduling to highly customized finishing details. He has installed air purifiers with ultraviolet light to kill viruses (how hospitals scrub the air), privacy film on windows and vital tracking mechanisms in automated nurseries. But for him, smart tech is a mindset.
“The idea of smart homes needs to be turned on its head,” Dubose says. “It’s no longer about hardware, apps and software; it’s about intuitive thinking.”
He hopes a hot stove will soon scan, sense and alert that a child is near, and that hyperfocused screens will send mental health prompts — think encouraging video messages and motivational suggestions such as “time to turn the screen off,” “take a dance break” or “go on a nature walk.”
“I think we’re on the cusp of revolution — a revival for our inner core, mind and soul,” Dubose says. “If we can drive tech into the fabric of our family life with the use of AI and focus it to better us, then the smart home will get blown out of the water.”
“I want homeowners to benefit emotionally, mentally and spiritually,” he continues. “The transformation of the mindset has to change; we’ve been so tactile but there’s so much in front of us besides a cool screen or glass that goes opaque. We have to redefine luxury and ask, ‘Did I support a better lifestyle today?’”
Luxury comes in many forms, and smart luxury is up for interpretation. Our cars and dinner trays may not fly (yet), but our beds lift automatically, the shower turns on by sensors and hidden TVs appear to float. It would seem that we’re not too far from the Jetsons after all. Although, if George or Jane asked Rosey how to make homes today a little healthier and happier, it’d be a luxury to no end to hear what she might say.
