Tech advances for living rooms

The evolution of American families and their changing lifestyles is a popular topic these days. As family dynamics and lifestyles morph, they drive a change in home design.

“People are changing their vision of a ‘traditional home,'” noted Lydia Marks, co-principal of New York City-based design firm Marks & Frantz Design.

“The forces behind these changing dynamics include generational shifts in attitudes, behaviors and lifestyles as well as advancements in home technology, each informing the other,” added Lisa Frantz, co-principal of Marks & Frantz Design.

Usable decor at the heart of today’s living room

Today’s living rooms feature a multitude of state-ofthe-art technology. Stunning televisions, slim speakers, ultra slim laptops and tablets are a must in today’s living room designs, and because there are so many options and colors to choose from, families can seamlessly integrate technology to enhance the function and design — even in traditional homes.

Connected devices like Smart TVs are transforming how people consume content. Advances such as the webOS Smart TV Platform offer new features like “Channel Plus” for simple access to channels including BuzzFeed, Esquire and more.

Multi-purpose living spaces

Formal living and dining rooms that are never used are a thing of the past, Marks explains. TV still remains king; Mintel reports 99 percent of American households with children younger than 18 have at least one TV in their home. However, families are using spaces like living rooms to serve multiple functions, including entertainment and work, researching and making purchasing decisions, and communicating with distant loved ones.

A smarter home on the rise

Homes are becoming as connected as the people who live in them. Today, home automation systems can control thermostat settings, lower and raise mechanized blinds, turn lights off or on, and monitor home security.

This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.