7 Smart Apartment Trends for 2022
Smart home technology isn't becoming increasingly popular for its looks and entertainment, it also offers convenience, safety, and peace of mind that helps tenants feel even more comfortable in their space.
For this reason, smart technology is a hotter commodity in multifamily communities than ever before. In one survey of renters, 65 percent of baby boomers stated a willingness to pay a higher premium to have a space with smart home technology, and that number was even higher among millennials. 86 percent of millennials would spend more — around 20 percent more, to be more specific — per month on an apartment that had smart home technology features.
It's clear that smart technology is important to renters, but what are the devices at the tops of their lists? Below are seven of the most sought-after pieces of smart home technology.
1. Smart Lighting
With smart lighting, renters won't only enjoy the benefits of more energy efficient bills, they're also able to control the color and brightness of any room to fit their mood. The fact that this lighting can be controlled with their smartphones allows them to feel more secure knowing they can do it from wherever they are.
2. Touchless Technology
Touchless tech was a trend that was already becoming increasingly popular in multifamily units, but its necessity accelerated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. You've seen touchless hand sanitizers out in public, but there are other touchless tech options for property buildings, like touchless doorbells, elevators, and other home devices.
3. Smart Locks
More properties are opting for smart locks over physical keys. Smart locks can be used for individual apartments or for access to amenities like the laundry room, gym, or even parcel lockers. This helps renters feel even safer, and they can also grant access to visitors while they're away without having to worry about a second key.
4. High-Speed Connections
With the rise of streaming services and people working remotely, high-speed internet connections have become even more important. Mesh WiFi allows residents to connect their main routers straight to the wall so they can enjoy the fastest connection possible with any of their devices.
5. Smart Plugs
Smart plugs, or smart outlet controllers, can help extend smart home features to fans, lamps, and more. For example, just like you can control your smart lighting from your phone, smart plugs allow you to control your fan settings as well.
6. Built-in Bluetooth Speakers
This is one of the most popular smart home tech features. People love to use these speakers, which can be built into the wall or ceiling, to enhance their listening experience whether they're watching their favorite show or jamming out to their favorite playlist. Studies reveal that voice-activated devices play a significant role in someone's decision to rent a space or not.
7. Smart Video Monitoring
People love the ability to use video monitoring systems for security purposes, or to even keep an eye on children or pets while they're occupied with something else.
If you want your property listings to stand out, consider making it a goal this year to incorporate more smart home technology elements into your units. And if you're a renter looking for a beautiful New York City apartment to call your own, check out our available spaces today.