Key Takeaways
- There’s a shift toward network design first, rather than buying individual gadgets first.
- Outdoor living integration continues to grow as outdoor spaces become larger and more used.
- Energy-aware lighting and shades are increasingly requested alongside convenience features.
- Interest in Matter-based devices is growing as homeowners want flexibility, not ecosystem lock-in.
A Shift From Gadget-Buying to Infrastructure-First Thinking
Maybe the clearest trend we’re seeing right now is a change in how homeowners approach the very first conversation. A few years ago, most calls started with a specific device a homeowner had already bought or was considering. Increasingly, the first question is about the network and overall plan, with specific devices coming later, after the foundation is right. This reflects growing awareness that a smart home built on a weak network underperforms no matter how good the individual devices are.
Outdoor Living Integration Keeps Growing
As NJ homeowners continue investing in larger, more architecturally significant outdoor living spaces, pools, kitchens, covered patios, technology requests for those spaces have grown right alongside them. This includes outdoor-rated audio and displays, dedicated outdoor network coverage, and lighting and shade integration that extends seamlessly from indoor to outdoor living areas rather than treating them as separate systems.
Energy Awareness Is Becoming a Standard Request
Energy-aware lighting and shade scheduling, reducing reliance on air conditioning during peak sun hours, scheduling lighting to avoid unnecessary use, is showing up in more project requests, often alongside more traditional convenience-focused asks rather than instead of them. It’s not yet the primary driver for most projects, but it’s increasingly part of the conversation.
Growing Interest in Avoiding Ecosystem Lock-In
We’re seeing more homeowners specifically ask about Matter-compatible devices and platforms that don’t lock them into one ecosystem permanently. This reflects a broader awareness, partly shaped by past experiences with mismatched devices, that flexibility now protects against regret later if preferences or available technology change.
NJ Context
These trends show up consistently across the Monmouth, Ocean, and Middlesex County projects we’re currently quoting and installing, and we expect the shift toward infrastructure-first planning specifically to continue as more homeowners learn from friends’ or neighbors’ mismatched DIY smart home experiences.
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