For the higher end market, luxury ramps up a notch in 2025 with these eight features among the must-have list for homeowners, says Bradd Bendall, BetterBond’s National Head of Sales.
Automation – but smarter
Smart home automation becomes even more intuitive and seamless this year. From digital showering systems to robotic lawnmowers, there is nothing that technology can’t do in the home. Look out for innovations such as the smart glass door system that transforms from clear to frosted at the touch of a button. This technology integrates with Alexa or Google Assistant to respond to voice commands. In the kitchen a smart fridge with a full-panel digital display integrates with your daily routine. Even pool maintenance – often the bane of a homeowner’s daily routine – is now a cinch with a device that uses sensors and AI-algorithms to skim the pool’s surface and collect debris.
Smart homes need smart furniture. This means lamps, tables and couches with built-in charging ports. Everyday furniture items will increasingly become interactive devices, says Bendall. Why reach for the remote control if you can change the channel on the TV by simply tapping the touch screen surface on your seat?
Intuitive lighting
There has been a shift to intuitive lighting systems with AI-driven controls that adapt to homeowners’ habits, mood and the time of the day. With the renewed focus on wellness within the home, there’s a growing demand for lighting that mimics natural light, like circadian rhythm systems, by aligning with our body’s natural cycles.
Tech for health
We love tech for the convenience it offers but the modern home also uses wellness-focused technology to enhance living spaces. Advanced filtration technology, natural ventilation, water purification systems and sleep-enhancing technologies are just some of the offerings that help make the home a healthier place.
Hushed homes
Based on the premise that your home should be your sanctuary, the quiet luxury trend relies on a neutral palette, high-quality finishes and natural light to create a look of understated elegance. This design approach, known as “hushing the house”, involves transforming one or more rooms into serene spaces with muted hues. “The philosophy behind this design approach is that modern life is filled with emotional noise in the form of stress and anxiety. By eliminating visual noise in at least one space in the home, it’s possible to create an oasis of calm,” says Bendall.
Net-zero homes
Sustainability has long been standard in modern homes, but now the focus is on net-zero homes that produce as much energy as they consume. They do this in various ways, including using passive design principles that allow for high-performance windows that keep the home warm during winter but minimise radiation and heat during summer, for example. Every element of the home, from the walls to the flooring, contributes to insulation.
Take the plunge
In keeping with the wellness theme, a standout feature on many homeowners’ lists this year will be a cold-water plunge pool. The benefits of cold water immersion are well-known – from helping to eliminate inflammation to improving concentration, explains Bendall. Whereas a few years ago a hot tub would have topped the wish list, now cold plunge pools are the hottest trend for luxury homes.
Get charged
With annual sales of electric vehicles in South Africa exceeding 1,000 units for the first time last year, according to Lightstone Auto and the National Automobile Association of South Africa, it’s likely that more homeowners will want an electric charging station, says Bendall. Home charging stations with smart technology make it possible to set charging schedules and control the charger remotely.
Back to nature
Biophilia is still a strong design trend, says Bendall. “People want to feel connected with the environment and this means large floor to ceiling windows, indoor gardens and ample use of natural materials throughout the home.” Elements that allow nature into the home include green roofs, vertical plant walls and a seamless flow between the indoors and outdoors. Organic materials such as bamboo, clay and wood not only emulate nature, they also help create healthier, calmer spaces.