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Four Methods of Hiding Technology

 

Most of us would love the idea of having our homes outfitted with systems that make our lives at home safer, more convenient, more energy efficient, while also providing great music and video systems. However, the idea of having to see all the electronics, wiring, and controllers needed for those systems is not particularly appealing.

Good news, people!  With the right design, appropriate product selection and proper installation, you can have a smart home without compromising the design and decor you desire for your home. There are four basic methods we employ that allow the electronics systems to blend seamlessly into your home's design and decor. The methods, along with some examples of each, are as follows:

• Conceal - TVs are designed to be watched. But when you are not watching TV, who wants to see it in the room? There are various ways to conceal a TV when not in use, including hiding it behind retractable art work or tapestry, having doors that close over the TV, or, as the video shows, using a motorized lift to move the TV out of sight.
• Camouflage - Disguising the electronics as something else is an effective technique. What appears to be an elegant, framed mirror may transform into a TV when it is turned on. In-wall speaker grills are often painted the same finish as the walls so they are hardly visible. Switch plates for lighting controls can be made to blend into the wall through by using the same wallpaper, paint or even custom-cut tile.
• Consolidate - By integrating the various systems, including lighting control, climate control, and security onto one control platform, you can dramatically reduce the amount of wall clutter in your home. Replacing all the separate controls with one elegant, easy to use controller is an attractive solution.
• Remotely locate - With distributed audio & video systems (also called "whole-house audio and video") most of the equipment is centralized and located remotely in a utility room or closet and shared throughout the home. This means that you don't need to deal with cable boxes, receivers, or amplifiers in all the rooms in which you want to watch TV or listen to music.

Bottom Line: By working with a qualified electronics systems contractor who has concern for your home's design and aesthetics, you can have a home that is both beautiful and meets your technology needs.