Have you ever thought about updating your New York City apartment or townhouse with smart technology? Of all the smart features, lighting is often what gets people on the tech bandwagon, and for a variety of reasons. But energy efficiency, health, and convenience are at the top of the list.
But recently, smart lighting has gained new attention. “People are looking for bells and whistles, and ultimately smart lighting will become the new luxury,” says Corcoran agent Alyssa Knowlton.
Daniel Morreale, another Corcoran agent, said lighting is often integrated into a broader system with other features such as blinds and radiant floors that can be controlled from your smartphone, allowing you to wake up or arrive home. He added that everything can be programmed to create a comfortable environment. . “Add a luxurious item to your life.”
Sure enough, Christopher Piechota, founder of New York-based design and installation firm Christopher William Lifestyle Technologies, says smart lighting is often part of an overall smart home integration, but it's not a stand-alone product. Just as often, it is a driving force. There is also no need to undertake a major renovation to implement this technology.
He says Crestron and Lutron are the major players in this space (he has also worked with Lucifer Lighting, shown at the top), and they all have smart home assistants, including Josh AI “It's a great proprietary system that's not driven by big tech” and is for home use only. ”
It's worth noting that smart lighting is also becoming a popular feature in new condo developments, such as One United Nations Park and 7W57. “This is part of his whole package of in-unit amenities,” Morreale says.
So, if you are considering whether to adopt smart lighting, here are some reasons that may point you in the yes direction.
1. Control everything with one button or command
Corcoran broker Tara King-Brown says most of her clients have these systems installed to program recessed lights and fixtures, so when they leave the house they can simply click the all-off button. He says that all he has to do is say “all lights out”. Send commands to your smart home assistant. (No wonder brokers like being able to click an “all on” button when viewing properties.)
Compass broker Vickey Barron agrees. No one wants to run inside their townhouse turning all the lights on and off. All you have to do is press one button.
2. Environmentally friendly and saves money on energy bills.
Smart lighting is powered by LEDs, which use 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs and have a lifespan of around 25 years.
Smart light bulbs use energy even when they're off, but experts say that's compared to the savings that can be made by using LEDs that turn on only when needed and can be programmed to turn off remotely when needed. , states that the amount is minimal. Forget about doing so as you sprint out the door (or fall asleep).
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All 148 homes at One United Nations Park are equipped with Crestron smart home systems that control the lights (and blinds).
3. Can be used to define multifunctional spaces
The main way lighting is commonly used these days is to help people navigate multifunctional spaces, as homes take on more roles, Knowlton says. . “It's interesting that you can use smart lighting to repurpose a room or area.”
This is especially helpful now that people are spending more time at home and using every square inch of their apartment. For example, Morreale says a home office that doubles as a media room can be programmed for brighter “work mode” during the day and “prime time” with moodier lighting at night.
“So with smart lighting, you can tweak your space depending on who is in the space at any given time,” she says. For example, a shared bathroom can go from a dazzling atmosphere when the kids are getting ready for school to a calm, spa-like atmosphere when mom needs some quiet time.
Or take a cue from one of Piechota's customers. He wanted only the hallway lights to be on when he wakes up at 4:30 in the morning so as not to wake his wife. We call it thoughtful lighting.
4. Create your comfort zone with color temperature
Piechota says the real goal with lighting these days is to move away from the deep yellow of halogen and fluorescent bulbs and bring light into your home that more closely resembles the variation of sunlight outside. So imagine that the light gradually increases in the morning and decreases in the afternoon and evening. All this is achieved through programming that can be adjusted to suit your tastes and seasons.
This is the idea behind the lighting in the common areas of the newly launched UWS condominium conversion 212 W72, where (according to the website) the soft lighting of the double-height lobby and walkways leading to the residences is designed to ” Designed to “keep people away from lively activities.” From city life to home comfort. ” Architecture and design firm CetraRuddy also used warm lighting in the lounge (above) and fitness center.
5. You can play with different shades
Morreale said people have been using colored lighting to add a different feel to each room. This is especially popular in children's rooms and play areas, or in master bathrooms where there's room to entertain. (Check out examples by Amy Green Design in our guide to making your Brick renovation green.)
Even better, with the compact and freestanding Wi-Fi controlled LIFX Color smart light, you can transform your spare bedroom or entire studio apartment into an at-home workout space. “It has billions of colors,'' making it a versatile white wine from cold regions to warm waters. (Get this, it'll only set you back $30.) The company also makes smart switches, downlights (for recessed lighting), and light strips (for mounting under cabinets or kitchen islands) doing.
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A brand new boutique development, 7W57 features 15 full-floor, two-bedroom homes zoned with Lutron lighting and shading systems.
6. Helps you get ZZZZ
At Morreale, more and more families are preferring to program their lights to come on or shades to go up in the morning to get their kids out of bed and ease their busy school days.
The same goes for lowering shades and dimming lights near bedtime, which eases the transition time and promotes better sleep for children and adults. Research shows that certain types of light can help regulate your circadian rhythm.
Barron sees a whole wave of health and wellness lighting (such as Ketra's Human-Centered Lighting) becoming increasingly popular among buyers as well.
After all, hotels are introducing designated “wellness” rooms with lighting designed to calm you down at night. (For example, all rooms at his three EVEN hotels in New York are equipped with mood-altering LED lights.) And people always want to recreate the hotel experience at home.
There are also plenty of smart sleep lights, such as Casper ($129).
7. There's a solution for every budget
You don't have to use up smart lighting. There are many affordable solutions these days.
Start by replacing all your light bulbs with smart bulbs (like Philips).
Baron pointed out that Lutron offers an a la carte option in case you want to control the lighting in one or two rooms rather than the entire house, for example. Alternatively, you can easily install a standalone dimmer switch with built-in technology and an “occupancy” sensor that turns on and off when someone enters or leaves the room. “We also have adapters for electrical outlets, so whatever devices you plug in, you can control them the same way you would with more complex systems.”
Another tip: She said Lutron battery-powered shades work well and the batteries last a good amount of time. (Prices start at $399. Battery life is 2-5 years depending on usage.)
Morreales says LED lights can be used on walls (mostly artwork), under cabinets, or as built-in design elements in closets where owners want to highlight a particular detail or a sizeable collection of shoes and handbags. We are seeing an increase in stripping. “Maybe it's just for yourself, but it's a nice touch that helps enhance the space.”
8. Can be used as part of a complete smart home system
However, if you want to waste less light, you can do that, but it will cost money. The entry point for designing and installing a smart home is five digits (Piechota says his threshold is $50,000 to $75,000), depending on the size of the space and the scope of the project (HVAC additions). etc.) he will be in 6 digits or more. , audio/visual, and security for a complete smart home.
“If you are dealing with an owner who has moved to a new development or has recently undergone interior renovations, we can perform an “after-work” or “after-market” solution to wirelessly replace manual switches and shades throughout the home. . Experiences can be delivered without opening walls. ” Alternatively, you can do a patch-and-paint job in case rewiring is required (permits required).
At the Central Park South Apartments, he is currently replacing some of the infrastructure, recalibrating the lighting, and installing “software” to make the experience more inviting, with a welcome button at the entrance that resets all lighting. I'm considering an upgrade. in this case music).
At the other extreme of prices is the recent project Beckford House & Towers on the Upper East Side. In this project, a family devised a multifunctional smart home in a five-bedroom apartment. “When we arrived, it was basically a white box, so we were able to execute the owner's vision.”
If you decide to go this route, Piechota says he will work with you to program the lighting and other elements precisely to your specifications, and make any necessary adjustments after a two-week commissioning.
9. Can increase resale value
Technology is here to stay and will continue to evolve, so investing in a smart home system can quickly add value, especially for younger customers (or really all New Yorkers, if not the most advanced) .
“When a buyer buys a property with a Lutron or Crestron system or any type of lighting upgrade, that wow factor is a really great selling point because they don’t have to do it themselves; Because it’s well-planned and well-constructed, so you have a seamless experience inside the home,” says Morreale.
Or, as Piechota sees it, “With the inevitable turnover in New York City, we'd like to say we're preparing for future homeowners in five or six years.”
Additionally, as New York City becomes the new Los Angeles, wellness is at its heart, and smart lighting is one way to get there.