Every year, homeowners are looking for new ways to elevate their homes. Many focus on the latest security systems, smart TVs and audio, or upgraded lighting or thermostats, but in 2026, that’s changing. Smart home tech is no longer just about entertainment and safety, it’s evolving to enhance your health and quality of life. Homeowners are taking notice, and now, they’re starting to think more about functionality that can support their wellbeing. From lighting that helps you sleep better to audio that reduces stress, here are five smart home upgrades you should consider tackling this year.
- Start Looking Into Circadian Lighting
Smart lighting is a benefit in itself – being able to adjust brightness levels and color temperature whenever you want. But what if you could incorporate lighting that is designed to mimic natural sunlight? Circadian-optimized lighting is where to start. Systems like Lutron Ketra go beyond basic smart bulbs; they mix color to create white light that feels natural and smoothly brightens and dims over the course of the day to mimic sunlight.
- Upgrade Your HVAC System with Premium Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats from partners like Ecobee and Nest are ideal for helping you save energy and money on your electric bill, but what if they could also help you create a healthier indoor environment for your family? Some of the most premium smart thermostat options come with built-in indoor air quality monitors, sensors, natural heating and cooling, and humidity tracking in real-time. Plus, with schedules and adaptive ECO options, your house can maintain the most optimal conditions no matter what time of day.
- Install Whole-Home Audio for Therapeutic Sound in Every Room
Whole-home audio isn’t just for entertaining anymore, it’s being used as a wellness tool as well. With distributed audio and multiroom audio systems from our partner Sonos, you can have a different sound in each room – white noise in your bedroom for uninterrupted sleep, your energizing playlist kicking on with your alarm clock, focus-enhancing audio in your home office, or guided meditation and nature soundscapes throughout your home.
- Add Acoustic Panels
Did you know, chronic noise exposure can raise blood pressure, disrupt sleep, and increase stress? Acoustic treatment isn’t just for home theaters anymore. Strategically adding acoustic panels in bedrooms can help eliminate noise disruptions for deeper sleep. In home offices, they absorb sound to reduce echo and improve speech clarity, essentially helping boost focus and productivity. In meditation spaces, they create true quiet for mindfulness practices. Think of it as creating healing spaces that actively support your mental and physical health.
- Integrate Everything with a Unified Control System
The real magic happens when all of your systems work together seamlessly. A unified home automation control system from partners like Control4 links your various home functions such as lighting, climate control, entertainment, shading, and other functions through a central, integrated interface – all accessible through your smartphone, an in-wall touch-screen, or a portable remote, no matter where you are in the house or in the world. Imagine coming home from a long day at work, or back from vacation, to a home that dims the lights, turns down the cooling, and turns on a relaxing playlist as you unwind and destress.
Ready to design a home that supports your wellbeing? Contact the Acoustic Design Systems team at 702-648-7474 or schedule a consultation to discover how smart home technology can transform your daily life.
