Over the past year, we’ve spent more time at home than ever before, with the Covid-19 pandemic bringing with it seemingly endless lockdowns and instructions to stay indoors. Even though lockdown is now gradually easing, this time to reflect on our surroundings has given many of us a new appreciation for our abodes and brings to the forefront one or two ways we might be able to live a little better.
When it comes to luxury homes, it’s all about facilitating the lifestyle you want to live, and gone are the days when it was all about aesthetics. Today, functionality and ease are just as important as beautiful interior design. With such a plethora of incredible home tech features and accessories to choose from, there’s likely something to suit your every need and desire.
So, if all of this time spent pondering your living setup has left you craving an upgrade, then it might be time to introduce some new bells and whistles to your home. Here are our top five picks to add an extra dose of luxury in 2021 – in an entirely modern way.
A cleaning robot
Robotic vacuum cleaners have been around for a while now, but today’s versions are more efficient and high-tech than ever. As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, we’ve been largely unable to let cleaning staff into our homes and are becoming more reluctant to do so even after lockdown ends. So, if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by your lengthy to-do list, then this might be the best investment you’ll make this year.
The Proscenic 850T is small and efficient, and can be voice-controlled via the likes of Alexa or Google Home – and can even mop your floors for you, too. Quiet and organised, you won’t even know it’s there when you have other things to get on with – so you can join that important Zoom meeting with the New York office and leave it to do its job.
Smart home security
OK, so this one might not feel like the most exciting of new additions to your home, but it’ll give you peace of mind – essential if you have a lot of valuable items or are a high-profile person, which could potentially put you and your possessions at risk. Not only that, but it relies on an ultra-modern and sophisticated form of technology to keep you safe – certainly the future of home technology.
The Ring Always Home Cam works as part of a smart home security system from Amazon-owned ring. This thoroughly modern accessory is an innovative new solution to home security. A drone that serves as your personal security guard, simply link it to an app on your phone – which will alert you to any movement on your property – and you can remotely launch the drone to explore what’s going on.
If you’re the type to regularly leave home only to wonder if you left your hair curlers or the iron on, then the indoor drone extension is just the ticket, and will investigate that for you, too.
Launching this year in the US, we’re still waiting on a confirmed date for the UK – but priced at $249.99, it’s a cheap investment that could make life feel that little bit less stressful – which in our eyes, is always worth the money.
A luxury home lift
There’s a lot to be said for living in a spacious home, but taking your belongings or moving furnishings up and down the stairs can be stressful and often exhausting, especially in your latter years. Having a luxury home lift installed can help lighten the load and make life easier, and the Stiltz Duo Home Lift is an innovative solution that can be fitted almost anywhere within your property.
With space for two people, it is compact and streamlined, allowing you to maintain the opulent overall aesthetic of your home. If you live in a town-house or multi-storey home, then it might just be the best investment you’ll make – particularly if you have mobility issues but wish to stay in your beloved home.
Home fitness tech
Fitness tech remains one of the biggest trends in 2021, with more options available to us in the comfort of our abodes than ever before. With gyms closed for long periods over the past year, the industry has been forced to pivot to cater to our needs, and some companies have cashed in on the situation by bringing us their most innovative new offerings yet.
Sky Q, in particular, has been making waves over recent months, offering an integrated fitness app with over 600 on-demand Fiit classes. The Fiit training platform has become immensely popular in recent years, with celebrity trainers and fitness stars leading its sessions, and its at-home tech add-ons allow for a fully immersive experience from the comfort of your home gym. A wearable heart rate monitor connects to the Fiit app and allows you to measure and track your statistics in real-time, helping you to get the most out of your workouts and set and exceed personal bests with each class.
Coffee on demand
As the trend towards ease and convenience continues, we can expect to see all manner of new home tech emerging over the coming years to meet our needs. The De’Longhi Prima Donna Soul is the perfect way to transform your mornings, and will connect to an app on your smartphone – roasting your beans on demand and steaming fresh milk to make your favourite barista-style beverages whenever the mood strikes.
Whether you’re struggling to get out of bed unless you know there is a latte waiting for you or are on your way home from the airport and desperate for a quick caffeine hit, this innovative new system will ensure that you never have to wait for a brew.
