TASTEFUL TECH

WITH THE RIGHT GADGETS, YOU DON'T NEED TO SCRIMP ON STYLE, SAYS SAM WYLIE-HARRIS

- SAM WYLIE-HARRIS

IT'S safe to say, smart home technology is going from strength to strength - and with this, fashionable furnishings and decor to inspire you.

"As people spend increasingly more time in their living rooms, expectations of how our furnishings actually function, is slowly changing," highlights Gisela Lancaster, head of buying at Sofology.

For many people, she says the central role of furniture has shifted from purely stylish, comfortable seating, to an investment of multifunctional sofas that offer style.

THE SMART SOFA

Perhaps it's due to an increase in people working from home, or rise in popularity of listening and media rooms, but this year alone Gisela says they've seen a 44% uplift in sales of sofas with additional tech features such as heated seats, fridges, smart consoles and speakers.

"Of course this isn't to everyone's taste, but growth within the smart sofa category has been consistent since 2023," says Gisela. "Cinema-style sofa sales have increased approximately 75% year on year."

Look out for ranges which appeal to the style-conscious designer...

Think a level of 'smart chic, she suggests, that will appeal to a wide range of tech and interiors fans. Sofas with advanced touchscreen control panels which allow users to manage music via Bluetooth, recline and adjust headrests with ease and manage seating temperature with a single swipe of the screen.

THE SMART BED