In many ways, it is a lot easier to integrate technology into a modest home with few distinctions. You can just add whatever infrastructure you need without worrying about changing the look of a wall or ruining the overall aesthetic.
Because you are likely dealing with common materials, installation will likely not pose much of a problem, or generate much expense. Things are very different when adding technology to a more luxurious space.
First, if your home is a period piece, you have to consider the overall aesthetic. Hanging a giant television on a wall in a Victorian sitting room is not just impractical; it is downright gauche. Here are a few more things to consider when integrating high-tech with high luxury:
Secure It Against Theft
The first thing owners of luxury property have to do is figure out how they are going to secure their luxuries against theft. If you have something worth wanting, it is a certainty that someone other than you want it. Not only do they want it, in many cases, they are willing to do you harm to get it.
Whether you get a SecurityChoice program from ADT or another cost-effective, flexible program with equipment and monitoring, you need some way to protect what you have.
High-tech items are highly desirable on the black market. Integrated, monitored security can provide more than peace of mind. It provides 24/7/365 watch over your home so that emergency responders will be alerted at the first sign of trouble. Before worrying about the brand of technology magic you put into your house, use some of that tech to protect your home.
Hide the Infrastructure
You do not want to skimp on connectivity. Wireless solutions exist for some things. But when money is no object, you need wired solutions. Wired is always faster than wireless.
But what you don’t want to do is have the wires visible. That can involve as little as $10 of material and 10 minutes of work. If you are not DYI inclined, it can be done by a contractor for a reasonable price.
There are a number of wires you will want to hide, including the following:
- Cat 6 for broadband connectivity in every room
- Computer wires on every desk
- Television and surround sound wiring
There are still plenty of things that will be better with a wireless connection for the sake of convenience.
These include:
- Headphones
- Broadband to mobile devices
- Gaming peripherals
When speed counts, go for wired solutions. Just be sure to hide the wires. When convenience is the greater factor, wireless solutions are just fine.
Upgrade Your Gaming Experience
It goes without saying that a modern luxury home needs a modern luxury gaming environment. Today’s game room is not about pool tables and air hockey machines. It is about VR gaming.
Right now, there are no viable wireless VR gaming experiences outside of smartphone-based headsets. Those are not even close to being in the same class is systems like the HTC Vive and the Oculus Rift.
Those systems require a powerful gaming PC: a type a beast few people have. Your current PC won’t be able to handle it. Neither will your Mac, no matter how much you paid for it. Also, your living room will likely not be able to handle it because it requires a bit of empty space to move around.
So, your modern luxury game room will have to accommodate a powerful and expensive PC with plenty of room for cabling. And You will need plenty of space in the real world to safely navigate the virtual world. We are a few generations away from a Star Trek-style Holodeck. But you can get an idea of where we’re headed.
A modern luxury home should definitely have high-tech throughout. From door locks to baby monitors, the right tech can make all the difference. Just be sure to secure it. Hide the infrastructure. And game like it’s 2399.
