What will houses of the future look like? What will televisions be replaced with? What will heat our homes? While we don’t know the answers to all of these questions, there are clever ways to embrace change now to save yourself time and money in the future. From sustainable changes through to technology advances, here’s how to make your home futureproof with these genius additions - and some don’t even cost the earth!
READ: 10 genius ways to keep your house warm without paying for heating
1. State-of-the-art security
Ring doorbells are much more common now, indicating that people are stepping up their home security to ensure their possessions are safe. Boundary give you the ability to monitor your home's security from your phone. Switch your alarm on and off, see when motion sensors are triggered and even set off a panic button siren.
Solar panels will save you money
2. Solar panels
As energy provider E.ON states, solar is "the world's fastest growing renewable energy solution" so it's worth learning more about. The panels and the installation may not be cheap, with moneysupermarket.com estimating around £4,800 per household, but having them will reduce your electricity bills. Plus, you can get paid for the solar energy you don’t use, by essentially selling it to an export company.
READ: The pros, cons and costs of solar panels
3. Smart heating
Having your heating hooked up to your phone is not only game-changing for ease, but it can also save you money too! Hive even has a savvy Heating Plus subscription service which monitors your usage and gives handy tips to save you up to £10 per month!
Thermostat mini, £119, Hive
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4. LED lighting
Here's one change you can make also immediately to add a technological touch to your home. Upgrade your ordinary lightbulbs to LED lightbulbs, along with a Philips hue starter kit, and you can easily control your lights from your phone. As well as choosing the brightness and the colour, you can set timers that automatically turn on and off your lights - even when you're not at home.
Signify UK&I Commercial Leader, Giuliano Ghidini, also points out the other benefits of these bulbs: "LED bulbs last much longer and generate less heat which means they use less energy. It's no surprise that LED lights are one of the most popular smart home devices right now."
Philips Hue smart bulbs starter kit, £61, Amazon
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SHOP: 41 best housewarming gift ideas that are unique, personal and practical for new homes
5. Electric vehicle enabled
Making your home equipped to charge an electric vehicle is a sure-fire way to ensure you are ready for the future. In fact, it has been announced that new homes built in England will have to be fitted with electric car chargers by law. With Hive you can "electrify your driveway" from under £1,000!
Car Insurance Expert at confused.com Alex Kindred says: "With more than half (57%) of UK drivers wanting to see the government do more to help people make the switch to EVs, it’s encouraging to see this new government initiative announced. With the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars coming around quickly, we need to see more cost-related incentives at the point of purchase.
"Over half of drivers (58%) told us that they're concerned by the lack of charging points available for EVs, they need to be reassured that won’t struggle to find charging points for their electric car. It needs to be as easy as filling up with petrol."
Would you add electric car charging points at your home?
6. AI shopping
Still scribbling down a shopping list each week then forgetting something and having to pop to the shops once again? Bother are on a mission to prevent multiple gas guzzling trips to the supermarket each week, instead AI technology monitors your shopping habits and ensures you're always stocked up on the essentials - everything from toilet roll and tampons to pasta sauce and bathroom cleaner.
Kitchen cleaning bundle, £9.99, Bother
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7. Integrated taps
Hot and cold used to be the only option when it came to kitchen taps, and now you can have boiling water, filtered water and even sparking water. Instant hot water is revolutionary for hot drinks and cleaning!
Sammy instant boiling water tap, £57.03, Wayfair
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MORE: 13 easy home hacks to slash your electricity bill now
8. Phone charging furniture
Instead of digging to the back of your drawer for your charger, companies have made smart furniture which comes with in-built charging panels. Simply place your phone down on your bedside cabinet or coffee table and it could be charging without a wire. Easy, peasy.
Swift Milano wireless charging bedside table, £171, Matalan
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9. Fitness mirror
A mirror and a gym membership all in one, these new-age machines allow you to virtually follow a workout in the mirror in the comfort of your own home. The likes of Kate Hudson and Reese Witherspoon have given them a go!
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