I Can Talk to My Home of the Future?

Yes, and it will talk back. No joke. Luke Mullins of U.S. News & World Report lists 8 innovations he thinks the typical American home will have in the future:

1. Point and build – Rather than cookie-cutter developments, experts say more consumers (than the existing 20 percent) will go for customized construction and use online design tools to create their own home, which would then be passed along to fabricators and assemblers. This will create more diversity in size and design.

What? No more Levittowns?

2. Right-size house — Get ready for smaller and smarter houses. Formal living rooms and dining rooms will go the way of the milkman — no longer used or needed.

What do we do with our McMansions?

3. Smart metering — Imagine a device in your home in which you can see how much electricity, gas, heat, and water you’re using each day. No more worries about that “gotcha” utility bill each month.

If Prius can do it, why can’t a house?

4. Voice recognition — Through new technologies, you can interact with your house simply by saying, “turn heat up!”

What happens when the husband yells “turn the heat down” at the same time?

5. Facial recognition — Not only will your home recognize your voice, it will recognize your face. So, when you stumble into the bathroom in the morning, wall-mounted sensors will recognize you and remind you to take your prescription.

What if I get a facelift? Will my house recognize me?

6. Smart fridge/cupboard – Sensors in your fridge and cabinets will detect when you’re low or out of milk, butter, eggs, etc., and will place an order with the grocery store.

Will the sensors replace my beloved potato chips, or put me on a diet?

7. Smart kitchens — “When a homeowner places a food item on the smart kitchen’s counter, a monitor will display a list of additional ingredients available in the house and even offer recipe suggestions.”

Is Ramen considered a food item?

8. Virtual mirror — Interactive mirrors will remind you of the day’s events or may even suggest an outfit to wear.

Mirror? Teens and narcissists will never leave the house

And now, back to the present…

Looking for home improvement ideas? We have lots of kitchen design ideas, bedroom design and some fabulous-looking swimming pools.