It is no secret that smart technology is gaining popularity in our homes. Thanks to Alexa, Google Nests and other smart devices, we are getting more and more used to device-controlled homes. And its reach extends beyond the four walls of a house and into smart garden rooms.
Of course, smart home technology and smart garden rooms have a number of benefits as they enhance comfort, experience and efficiency in one convenient movement. Whether you use your garden room as a home office, entertainment space, gym, yoga studio, or living annexe, you can integrate smart technology into your garden room.
At Garden Room Solutions, we design and build the highest quality luxury garden rooms across the South Coast. Over the years, we have seen smart home technology develop and grabbed every opportunity to incorporate it into our garden rooms. In this blog, we share why you should consider creating a smart garden room and how you can do this.
What Are Smart Technologies?
Smart technology is a term that refers to remote-controlled or voice-activated home functions that are interconnected.
Usually, these devices can also be automated, meaning you don’t have to worry about switching them on or off.
Examples of smart technology include:
- Smart bulbs
- Smart blinds
- Smart plugs
- Thermostats
- Security systems
- Entertainment units
- Smart devices such as Amazon Echo, Google Nests etc.
Each of these is usually able to connect with a smart device, so one voice command will enable you to use the technology. This makes controlling them incredibly easy, as you can stay snuggled on the sofa and switch on a light by simply asking Alexa to “switch on a light”.
Why Incorporate Smart Technology into Garden Rooms?
There are many reasons why people have started to extend their technology from their homes and into their garden rooms.
Convenience and Control
Get your garden room ready for use without stepping foot into the space with remote controls or automation. This could be switching the heating on in the morning before heading out to your office for a working day or switching the lights on in your man cave from the gaming chair while halfway through an intense game online that you just can’t leave.
Smart technology allows you to be flexible with its use, giving you more control over what is used and when without having to move.
Energy Efficiency
Our garden rooms have several specifications that meet energy efficiency standards, which smart technology can enhance.
By integrating a thermostat or smart bulb, you can optimise energy usage with their automated functionality. Additionally, if you have connected them to a remote control app or enabled voice control, you can switch them on and off as you enter or leave, meaning energy is used when needed rather than when scheduled.
Of course, improving energy efficiency will also help your bills, so it really is a winner.
Enhanced Security
There are some savvy smart security systems and cameras available that can provide you with peace of mind.
Installing these around or in your garden room will enhance their security, so you can be confident that any belongings or equipment left in the space will be safe and secure while you aren’t using it.
Personalised Experience
No matter what you are doing, everyone has their own preference for room ambience.
Some might like music and a bright working environment. Some might like silence. Some might like dimmed lighting while snuggled up watching a movie. Others might want complete darkness.
With a smart garden room, you can create the space’s atmosphere to be exactly how you would like it so you can enjoy the experience.
Key Smart Technologies for Garden Rooms
While not being part of your home, there are very few limitations on how you can create a smart garden room.
Smart Lighting
Smart bulbs are one of the easiest ways to create a smart space.
There are several brands available, each with similar features.
They fit as a normal bulb would in your lamp or fitting (make sure you get the right fixture) and then will connect to an app on your phone. From the app, you can also connect it to a smart device, meaning you can either voice control the bulb or click a button on the phone.
Features include:
Adjustable brightness
Colour changing
Motion sensor capabilities (sometimes)
Usage monitoring
Automation via schedules or timers
These features offer optimal control so you can create a vibe that fits your activity and preference.
Not to mention, it can save you money!
Smart Climate Control
As a standard, we will install heaters in your garden room. While we have a go-to brand and supplier, we can install other heaters should you have a smart-controlled solution you prefer.
Alternatively, we could fit a smart thermostat into your garden room to work with our heaters.
Like the smart lights and bulbs, these will connect to an app on your phone and a smart device, meaning they can be controlled from elsewhere in the house.
Features include:
Remote temperature control
Schedule settings
Energy tracking
Often, these are most appreciated during the colder months as you can switch the heaters on before heading out to the room, meaning you will arrive to a warm room rather than freeze while the space heats up.
Again, this will likely save you money as you have more control over the usage of the heaters.
Smart Security Systems
Camera doorbells or motion sensor cameras are classified as smart security systems.
These record what is going on outside your garden room, capturing the footage in a mobile app, in which you can review the footage.
Features include:
Real-time alerts
Remote monitoring
Video recording
These act as a deterrent to intruders, and they provide additional security and peace of mind that your garden room is safe.
Smart Entertainment
If you use your garden room as an entertainment space, there are plenty of ways you can make it into a smart space.
Smart speakers and plugs allow your entertainment system to be voice-controlled or remote-activated.
Features will include:
Multi-room audio
Voice assistants
Streaming services
Combined with other smart devices such as smart bulbs, you can create a relaxing atmosphere, perfect for watching a movie from the comfort of your seat.
Smart Blinds and Curtains
Smart blinds are an excellent addition to a smart garden room, again putting convenience and comfort at the tip of your fingers.
These are often mechanised blinds or curtains, activated by an app on your phone or voice. These can also be put on a schedule, meaning you wouldn’t even have to think about opening or closing them.
Features will include:
Remote-control
Voice-control
Automated opening/closing
Light control
As well as enhancing comfort and ease of opening and closing, these will also offer more privacy and natural light optimisation.
Creating a Smart Garden Room With Us
We create stunning, bespoke garden rooms that can be used in a multitude of ways.
Whether you are looking for somewhere to house your baking enterprise, a kid’s playroom, a pool house or some additional living space, we can work with you to build a smart garden room that perfectly suits your needs.
Our process will start with a visit to your property to assess the space available for a garden room. At this consultation, we will sit with you to discuss your vision. Here, we can discuss how we can integrate smart technology to enhance the functionality and comfort of the space.
If you specify at our planning and design stage that you wish to include smart features, we can incorporate these into our installation process, meaning you won’t even have to worry about fitting them once your garden room is up and in place.
Interested in a smart garden room from Garden Room Solutions? Head down to our showroom in Wimborne to meet our team, see an example of our work and discuss your ideas today.
Alternatively, drop us a message using our online contact form, and we will give you a callback. If doing this, why not look at our gallery and videos to get some inspiration and see some of our previous work?