Rebecca Foster rounds up the most innovative smart home products and systems, taking a closer look at the technological developments that have made them possible

It wasn’t long ago that installing an intelligent system in your home to link your heating, lighting, security and entertainment systems via one centralised hub seemed beyond the realms of possibility for most of us. A layered lighting setup that could be activated at the swipe of a button, or a security arrangement that simulated your actions to make the house appear lived in, seemed to be reserved for tech-savvy homeowners with big budgets to spend. “The general public weren’t really aware of the possibilities of a smart home back then,” says Andy Moss, managing director at Moss Technical. “It was referred to as ‘home automation’ and was widely perceived as expensive, over-complicated and likely to go wrong.”

Today, the picture couldn’t be more different. The influx of DIY wifi-controlled systems and devices that link easily to your smartphone has made smart tech much more accessible. “Adverts for wireless, retrofit or DIY products like Hive and Nest have made people realise they can control their homes while they’re away,” says Andy.

The proliferation of voice assistants (Alexa, Siri etc) has allowed homeowners to easily integrate their lighting and entertainment streaming services. For example, the Philips Hue range of smart illumination products offers a selection of simple-to-install solutions, with prices starting at less than £20. Plus, they can easily be linked to whichever voice assistant you are using to create a simple DIY smart setup. The possibility of saving energy (not to mention money on bills) by incorporating an efficient heating and lighting system is another benefit that homeowners can’t ignore. “Ultimately, when we discuss smart tech advances in the last five years, the main difference is our shift in mentality,” says Andy.