Posted on: October 1, 2007

Smart Dreams

The bedroom is well on its way to becoming a hotbed of technology and convenience in the home. From voice-activated options to anticipatory technology to television shows projected onto the ceiling, you just may never want to leave

By Jeff Schnaufer
CTW Features

Imagine, if you will, retiring at the end of a long day to your bedroom of the future: As you enter the room, you switch on the lights with your voice and the television pops out of the ceiling playing your favorite film. You step into your master bathroom, take off your shoes and feel the warmth of the heated tiles relax your body. Before you climb into your customized bed, you open the window drapes and gaze upon the nighttime Paris skyline.

Even though you live in the United States.

No, the bedroom of the future won't have teleporters from Star Trek. But experts say it will have the virtual technology to project another environment onto your window pane. And it won't be long from now. We already have much of the other technology described in the above bedroom - whether you're ready for it or not.

"With all the changes going on in the hectic world we live in, we need a place that is ours and has all the latest technology, toys, tools, bedding and beds," says Margi Kyle, a Cornelius, N.C.-based interior designer best known as the Designing Doctor. "Technology has become the focal point in the bedroom."

With more Americans working out of their homes and needing Internet connection, many bedrooms are being transformed into a combination office/sanctuary. Design and technology experts say companies are working hard to incorporate high-end electronic entertainment and information technology into this floor plan. We asked a few of these experts for their recommendations on how to transform your bedroom into the ultimate high-tech hideaway.

Tune In

It's no question that the flat screen television is a top pick, but where to put it? While there's always the wall, now there's also technology that allows the TV to rise from the foot of the bed.

"Or, better yet, why not invest in a projector and use the bed the way it's supposed to be used – laying down?" says Gary Kayye, a Chapel Hill, N.C.-based HomeAV and ProAV consultant. "Imagine laying on your back in your bedroom and your TV's projected on the ceiling right above you."

A MP3-compatible surround sound system linked to a master control system with your visual entertainment components will allow you to enjoy either audio or video without a plethora of remote controls, says Louise Farrar-Wegener, an interior designer with Z3 Design Studio in Portland, Ore. She also recommends a laptop computer and docking station with wireless capabilities and connection to HDTV (for gaming).

Get Into Place

"The big trend in entertainment as it relates to TV is not only time shifting (think digital video recorders) but place shifting!" Kayye explains.

"Imagine relaxing after a late dinner in your media room, home theater or even the large-screen in the family room. As the movie plays on, it’s getting late. So, you decide to pause the movie and finish it later, as all you want to do is get more comfortable in bed,” he says.

“Ah, but with place shifting, that movie can be streamed from the living room to the TV upstairs in the bedroom or even the bathroom – all with a box like that made by Sling Media – for less than $300!"

Get Comfortable

The bedroom is a place for the whole body to relax. Bamboo flooring, natural area rugs and heated bathroom tiles can keep your feet happy. Kyle suggests a motorized bed with a mattress that will keep you warm during the winter, cool in the summer and be able to inflate of deflate depending on your body weight and needs.

Comfort zones can help do the rest.

"Zonal temperature control systems are very popular with our clients, allowing them to keep the bedroom as cozy or chilly without affecting the rest of the house," says Farrar-Wegener.

For that late night nosh without a trip to the kitchen, Farrar-Wegener suggests a personal refreshment center or nook, complete with programmable appliances like an espresso/coffee maker, electric tea kettle, under-counter fridge and microwave/convection oven.

Get Smart

For those who just can't get enough technology in their bedroom, Kayye says there's always the smart way to go.

"If you’ve got the money, you’d invest in a full-functional smart-home system,” Kayye says "Then, not only do you get all the TV, whole house audio and control of the lights and HVAC, but you can add total automation. These systems are developing where they can start to learn (and guess) what you want to do next. So, you want a candle-lit bath, the lights turn off (or at least dim) automatically when you light the candle, or when you put on romantic music.

“Then, after the bath, you get out and as you move from the bathroom to the bedroom, lights anticipate your arrival and switch on and off appropriately. Music plays and follows you too. When the phone rings, the music pauses itself."

Breathing Room

Finally, remember why the bedroom was initially created. Give yourself room to relax.

If you have an office in your bedroom, or even a computer and desk, Kyle suggests designing your bedroom to separate them as much as possible.

"A healthy room to me would be a trundle bed that would totally disappear into the wall and help recreate a techno space for day-time duties," says Kyle., who also suggests erecting a permanent, partial or movable wall to conceal anything that looks like work. "It is not healthy to sleep with all this technology around us."

Farrar-Wegener says most of her clients prefer non- desks in the bedroom. "By this I mean the functionality of a desk but out of sight /out of mind when need be," she says. "Armoires are often used. We’ve designed custom cabinetry that looks like furniture where ... the 'office' remains hidden until needed."

Finally, consider painting your room in relaxing colors and including built-in task lighting that softens at night, like mood lighting. Treating your windows with honeycomb shades also offer energy efficiency and a softer look for the room.

With so many Americans working out of their homes, multi-tasking between children, their activities, partner responsibilities, work obligations and time for self, Kyle says, "the importance of a sacred bedroom is essential."

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