4 Must-Have Smart Home Upgrades for 2026

Design a Better, More Fun Living Environment for Your Family 

The New Year fills us with an urge to refresh our lives and living environments. As you think up the perfect resolutions for your health and happiness, we’re here to offer up some smart home tips. And with our expert team guiding the way on any upgrades, it will feel like a much less time-consuming commitment than that new diet. 

All our clients are a little different. But the goal is the same: to create a retreat in their homes that lets them forget about everything outside of it. For some, it means investing in wellness technology; for others, it means better, greater entertainment systems. Whatever your style, we’ve got a recommendation for you. 

Upgrade Your Home Theater & Entertainment Spaces

The New Year kicks off with fireworks, so why not start with some flashy entertainment upgrades? We’ll help you update older TVs or projectors with Samsung or Sony BRAVIA models with higher resolutions, stronger HDR, better contrast, and smoother transitions. 

Any movie or sports enthusiast knows the image is only the first step. We also recommend incorporating the newest audio formats for a more immersive viewing experience. As more shows and events come mixed in Dolby Atmos, it’s time your surround sound setup was optimized for it. These come with height channels and stronger bass for sound that envelops you from all sides. 

And don’t worry, manufacturers are offering more and more invisible or in-ceiling/wall speakers that blend with your decor. So you can add more sound without adding more clutter. For displays, look into the latest motorized lifts that conceal them from view when not in use.

Refresh Lighting, Shading, and Wellness Features

Just as important as having a fun home is having a comfortable one. Add tunable-white or warm-dim lighting systems that mimic natural daylight patterns. These help regulate your circadian rhythm for better sleep and reduced stress. We’ll help you create preset scenes for work, hosting, or waking up. Each with the perfect lighting.

If there’s one home upgrade you need to have if you don’t already, it’s motorized shades. Eliminate cords and wands, and opt for shades that adjust automatically based on time or sunlight. Or manage them on the go via custom-engraved keypads or mobile apps. The best part? They come in a wide range of fabrics and colors to maintain your go-to decor. 

Add a Soundtrack to Your Day With Whole-Home Audio 

Whether you’re a podcast enthusiast, news junkie, or audiophile, one of the best home upgrades is multi-room audio. Enjoy high-quality sound in all your rooms and outdoor spaces with discreet yet powerful speakers strategically placed throughout your home. 

And with a unified control platform, it’s easy to find the media you want and choose where to play it. While you listen to the latest Normal Gossip episode in the kitchen, the kids can pull up their go-to Spotify playlists on the patio. 

We’ll advise you on the latest speakers and help you update to Control4’s latest software for a more intuitive listening experience. 

Take the Party Outside With Outdoor Entertainment 

Fresh air makes everything a little better, so why not give your outdoor spaces the same love as your indoor ones? Start with weather-ready audio from Coastal Source. Their speakers and subwoofers deliver rich sound across your yard without sticking out or getting damaged by the elements.

If movie nights and game days are more your style, add an outdoor TV from Samsung or SunBrite. These displays stay bright in the sun and tough in the rain, so you can enjoy your favorite shows without dragging an indoor TV outside.

And to top it off, we can help you add outdoor lighting scenes using your Lutron or Control4 system. Add soft pathway lights, warm patio glows, and just the right ambiance for long dinners and late-night hangouts.

Create a home you love spending time in. Our team is here to guide you through upgrades, answer questions, and recommend the right technology for your space. Call us or fill out our contact form to get started.