Today’s most desirable homes aren’t just beautiful to look at, they’re effortless to live in. Increasingly, clients are pushing back against the idea of a “smart home” filled with screens and interfaces, seeking instead simplicity: fewer gadgets, more experiences.
“The first thing most client’s say to me is ‘I don’t want anything complicated’ when we first start talking about technology” Abby Fox, Director at LC-AV
Paradoxically, the simpler you want your life at home to feel, the more complex the technology behind it often needs to be. Managing lighting, heating, cooling, shading, security, and entertainment seamlessly requires a sophisticated backbone - but the art lies in making it invisible.
“Our job is to make the complex simple for clients. For us technology today isn’t about creating a ‘smart home’, but about creating a feeling and a space that responds to your needs and mood.”
Here’s how we’re using technology to create simple experiences in luxury homes right now:
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1. Analogue Controls
Above all, luxury today is simplicity. The most advanced homes are those where technology disappears into the background and the interface is elegant and ever so simple. We’re seeing a move away from digital screens and touch panels towards more traditional, tactile switches and dials that can still achieve the same result. A single traditional-looking toggle can activate layered lighting scenes, while a discreet rotary dial can adjust climate - replacing the need for multiple apps and interfaces.
Lighting and Audio controls at WOW! House 2025. Technology by LC-AV. Interior by Peter Mikic.
2. Lighting that creates atmosphere
Lighting is central to how a home feels and lighting control is no longer just about convenience but a necessity in today’s homes where lighting designs are becoming increasingly complex. The latest lighting control systems allow you to set the mood for every moment - bright and energising during the day, warm and intimate at night - all with a single touch. Done well it shapes how each space feels and is effortless for you to use.
Evening lighting scene after dark with simple lighting control. Technology by LC-AV.
2. Invisible Audio
Sound is one of the most powerful mood-setters. Today, it can be delivered through high-quality invisible speakers, plastered or papered seamlessly into walls and ceilings. The result is immersive music that follows you naturally from room to room, shaping ambience without ever compromising design so it can be experienced, but not seen.
3. Human first Technology
We are using technology at home increasingly to enhance wellbeing. Circadian lighting aligns with your natural body clock, while dedicated spaces - from saunas to meditation rooms - combine sound, light, and climate control to promote health and restoration. Luxury homes are evolving into sanctuaries where technology actively supports physical and mental balance.
Spa and steam room with hidden audio, and integrated lighting & climate control ease of use. Technology by LC-AV Ltd. Interiors by Peter Mikic. Photo credit: Douglas Friedman.
5. Extending living outdoors
Luxury living no longer stops at the door. Increasingly, clients want their outdoor spaces to feel as seamlessly designed and connected as the interiors. Outdoor lighting and entertainment extend the home’s atmosphere beyond its walls, creating spaces that can be enjoyed day and night, all year round and connecting the home into one effortless experience. Think movie nights in the garden with clever fold out screens, or music that flows from inside to outside.
Outdoor Kitchen audio and hidden outdoor TV. Technology by LC-AV Ltd. Interiors by Peter Mikic. Photo credit: Kate Martin.
6. Entertainment that connects the family
With handheld devices dominating daily life, many clients are choosing to remove screens from private areas such as bedrooms and bathrooms, creating calmer, more restful spaces. Instead, dedicated media room or home cinemas are growing in popularity - places where immersive sound and large-format screens bring people together to share films, sport, and family experiences.
Dolby Atmos home cinema. Technology by LC-AV Ltd. Interiors by Peter Mikic. Photo credit: Kate Martin.
In essence, technology in the home is no longer about novelty or distraction. It’s about creating extraordinary everyday experiences - enhancing comfort, beauty, and above all, the way a home makes you feel.
When considering your next property purchase, ask not only how it looks, but how it has been designed to live.
LC-AV are experts in creating simple, beautiful and personal technology for the home. Get in touch with them for advice on your next home: info@lc-av.com or visit their showroom: 38 Mill Lane, London, NW6 1NR.
Check out their website here.
The views and opinions expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not constitute advice or a recommendation. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Enness and are not intended to indicate any market or industry viewpoints, or those of other industry professionals.
Islay Robinson, founder of Enness, is a specialist in high-value and complex mortgage transactions. He has played a key role in structuring and delivering bespoke financing solutions across a wide range of UK and international cases.
