These Smart Home Devices Can Be “hidden” to Blend More Discreetly Into Your Interior.
Smart home technologies have truly transformed the way we live and work at home, giving us more control over our environment and appliances. We can now adjust the climate, track resource consumption, and stream media content anywhere in the home with the touch of a finger or a few spoken words. But this convenience and capability comes at a price, and that price is, shall we say, the aesthetics of some of these smart technologies. Smart devices are often bulky plastic monstrosities that take up too much flat surface area. If you’re hoping for a more elegant, analog look but still want the benefits of modern smart home technology, the good news is that there are plenty of smart home technology options that can be easily hidden (or at least made less noticeable).
Use a wall-mounted minimalist Wi-Fi router.
Perhaps the most unattractive device in your smart home is the most basic one: your router. You can’t successfully create a smart home if your devices can’t connect to a reliable network, but routers have become so unattractive that people try to hide them in baskets or behind plants. Instead of hiding your router, try minimizing its visual presence. The eero Pro 7 is a reliable Wi-Fi 7 mesh router that not only looks sleeker than most routers but can also be wall-mounted to hide it from flat surfaces and out of the way. While not exactly hidden, it’s much less noticeable and intrusive than most routers.
Hide your smart plugs, locks and security systems.
Smart devices like outlets, locks, dimmers, and security systems provide peace of mind and control over your home, but they can also be bulky, creating a sense of clutter—not exactly the stylish and modern look a smart home should offer. However, these devices can help eliminate this clutter:
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The Level Lock Pro is a smart lock that looks like a traditional deadbolt and integrates into the interior of the door for a cleaner, more traditional look.
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Smart plugs like the Kasa KP200 or Eve Energy Outlet eliminate the need for a bulky adapter and look like any other outlet in your home (and it’s easy to replace the outlets yourself ).
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The Lutron Diva smart dimmer works with Alexa, Apple Home, Google Assistant, Ring, and other devices, offering a range of useful smart features. Yet, it looks just like any other dimmer in the world, so you don’t have to worry about your home looking like the set of a bad sci-fi series.
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A home security system can also be “smart,” and when it comes to outdoor cameras, you might want them to be visible to serve as a deterrent. Other security options, such as motion sensors, can enhance your sense of security, but are often unsightly. Instead, choose the Aqara Zigbee vibration sensor , a subtle, easily concealed device that detects motion and alerts you immediately.
Make your media viewing experience less intrusive with built-in smart speakers and hidden smart TVs.
Smart media devices can take entertainment to a whole new level and make home entertainment more enjoyable—but even the most stylish Bluetooth speaker can look unsightly (and that’s another thing to keep in mind). Devices like Sonos ceiling speakers are flush-mounted and can be painted to match the ceiling, making them virtually invisible. Another option is Amina ‘s in-wall speakers, which can be installed inside cabinets or concealed by drywall, making them almost completely invisible.
Another smart device that stands out in most homes is the television. There’s nothing wrong with having a TV as the centerpiece of your living room, but if you don’t want a huge piece of plastic and glass dominating the room, modern frameless TVs like the Samsung The Frame transform into a work of art when not in use as a TV, so you won’t have an ominous black screen ruining your next party.
Keep your bathroom clean and tidy with a smart mirror TV.
Having a smart device in the bathroom is useful for checking the news and weather while getting ready for the day, or for livening up your bath with music or other media. But a bulky piece of plastic on a limited countertop isn’t ideal, and wall-mounted TVs can detract from the clean, serene space. The Sylvox Magic Mirror TV, however, looks like a regular bathroom mirror when not in use, but at the touch of a button, it transforms into a smart TV, allowing you to play music, movies, live broadcasts, or simply get news and weather information.
Make your kitchen stylish and tidy with smart countertops.
Kitchens have always been a magnet for clutter. Appliances on the countertop, groceries, and marketing mail—everything piles up, and space is always at a premium. One solution is to install more modern countertops. Products like Invisicook install induction burners under the countertop, allowing you to use it as a work surface for both food preparation and cooking—no separate burners required. This creates a sleek, minimalist look and provides additional workspace when you’re not cooking. Installation of these countertops should be done by professionals, and you may need to replace existing countertops, as they have specific thickness and material requirements.
Another way to discreetly make your kitchen smarter is with Freepower wireless charging countertops. This requires replacing your existing countertops with models with integrated Freepower chargers, but once installed, you can simply place your devices on the countertop and they’ll charge—no bulky chargers or unsightly wires required.