There’s no question that electronic components take up space. But do they have to be so visually overpowering? They certainly don’t have to be. If you take the right steps to choose and install them, you can keep all the tech clutter to a minimum, cleaning up the visual plane and improving mental wellbeing for home occupants.
It’s true! Studies show that women who perceive their homes as cluttered produced higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol throughout the day than those who described their abodes as a well-organized and restful space. Remotes on coffee tables, smart speakers on countertops, TVs, tablets, even huge banks of light switches on the walls can contribute to stress-inducing “mess.”
Unless an electronics component has been designed intentionally as a showpiece, the goal of most architects, interior designers, home tech professionals, and homeowners should be imperceptibility. It not only makes a house look better but feel better.
Inset Wall Plates Give Switches and Other Devices a Discreet Profile
Most manufacturers recognize the need to minimize the visual impact of electronic equipment and have taken great strides to do so. For just about every device that sits on a tabletop, there are products that allow it to be installed directly onto or tucked within the wall or ceiling surface.
The latter approach, while more difficult to achieve, lends a better, nearly invisible result. Rendered as a seamless extension of the wall material or completely concealed above the ceiling, Wi-Fi access points, soundbars, security cameras, touchscreens, tablets, keypads, light switches, and thermostats transform from electronic eyesores to elegant home tech assets.
When decluttering a home in this fashion, be sure that the device operates just as well in the wall or ceiling as it does self-contained on a countertop. Another key consideration is the wall surface itself. Many mounts are intended only for installation in drywall. Companies like WALL-SMART, however, offer mounts that can also be recessed in solid surfaces like marble, metal, concrete, glass, and other materials common in today’s homes.
Before and after image of a WALL-SMART solution being used to conceal the digital wall panel. (Courtesy of WALL-SMART).
The Right Displays Can Either Blend In, or Disappear Entirely
Other key offenders of visual discomfort are displays. Sure, they’ve gotten skinnier, but they’ve also grown larger in overall dimension. This bodes well for movie night but can be visually distracting otherwise. Motorized projection screens offer an eye-pleasing alternative. The screen stays hidden until you need it, freeing up space and your mind from an overbearing presence in the room.
The disappearing act is only part of the solution, however. The housing that holds the screen and the motor needs to contribute to the clean, uncluttered aesthetic, too. A big, bulky housing defeats the purpose, so opt for a small, slender, design-friendly housing that complements the architectural and interior style of the space. Screen Innovations is a motorized projection screen manufacturer that builds assemblies based on this design objective.
In some cases, the entire assembly can be installed in a pocket in the ceiling; if not, the housing comes in several custom colors to match the surrounding surface. This same design model embodies SI’s line of motorized window shades, allowing windows to be free of pull cords and other clutter.
Finding Peace and Harmony Through Discreet Technology
It’s hard to relax when there are too many items fighting for your attention. Ditto for staying organized and on task. When tablets, speakers, screens, and other home technologies have overstepped their boundaries, it’s time to put them in their proper place. With innovative mounting and concealment techniques and products, the unruly assortment of technology affecting your mental and physical health, not to mention your home’s appearance, can finally facilitate a lifestyle of greater peace and harmony.
