I honestly thought there’d be more options that don’t look like tech from a high school AV closet.
You’re not wrong—most of these hubs and sensors look like they belong in a server room, not a living room. I’ve had clients ask if we could “hide the robot boxes” more times than I can count. If you want something that doesn’t kill your vibe, I usually recommend starting with Lutron Caseta for lighting (the switches are pretty sleek) and maybe Eve for sensors—they’re not perfect, but at least they won’t ruin your decor. And yeah, Home Assistant is powerful but it’s definitely not plug-and-play. Sometimes it feels like you need an IT degree just to dim the lights.
I get what you mean about the “robot boxes”—it’s wild how few options actually blend in. I spent way too long hunting for gear that wouldn’t mess with the look of my new place. It takes a bit of creativity, but it’s possible to make it feel intentional. Sometimes I just embrace the techy vibe and call it “modern art” if anyone asks…
Sometimes I just embrace the techy vibe and call it “modern art” if anyone asks…
That’s one way to handle it, but honestly, I find most smart home devices are designed with function first, aesthetics second—if at all. Have you found any brands that actually prioritize design? I’ve seen a few attempts, but most still look like routers or speakers with a facelift. Curious if you’ve managed to integrate anything that doesn’t scream “gadget” from across the room.
Lutron’s Caseta line is probably the closest I’ve seen to blending in—clean switches, nothing flashy. Some of the newer thermostats from Ecobee and Nest aren’t too bad either, but yeah, most of it still looks pretty utilitarian. I’ve had clients ask if we can hide hubs in cabinets just to keep things looking tidy... sometimes that’s the only real option.
Smart Home Ecosystems Worth Checking Out
I hear you on the “utilitarian” look—sometimes it feels like the designers never actually saw a real living room. Lutron Caseta’s probably the only thing I’ve put in that didn’t make my wife roll her eyes. The switches just sort of disappear, which is what you want when you’re spending this much on finishes.
Funny enough, I had a client who wanted to hide literally everything—routers, hubs, even the thermostat. We ended up tucking a bunch of stuff behind a false panel in the mudroom. Not exactly standard, but it worked. I do wish more companies cared about how these things look out in the open, though. Some of those Zigbee and Z-Wave hubs are just... not pretty.
Nest is decent, but I still think Ecobee looks a bit sleeker on the wall. Still waiting for someone to make a hub that looks like an art piece or something. Until then, I guess we’ll keep stashing them in cabinets and hoping nobody notices the blinking lights.
