How to Transform Your Space with Intelligent Window Solutions: Smart Blinds Explained

 Smart Blinds offer a great way to make your home smarter while adding convenience and comfort without a huge up-front cost. By combining a built-in motor with a remote control or mobile application you can automate your window treatments and even set up schedules to open/close them when you’re not home. You can also add them to a smart home ecosystem to connect with other devices like your lights and thermostat.



Some work with your existing blinds

There are many smart blind options on the market – some work with your existing blinds, others replace them entirely. Some use your WiFi to connect to the internet while others require a hub or bridge to function. Some even offer the ability to be controlled via voice commands using a device like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

They’re Bluetooth-enabled so they work

IKEA has a great option with their Smart Blinds. They’re Bluetooth-enabled so they work with Google Assistant and Alexa and you can control them using a mobile app. They’re easy to install as you simply remove the wand/tilt mechanism from your existing blinds and stick the new unit in place. You can also enable sunrise and sunset automation so they automatically open or close each day. They’re solar-powered as well so they don’t need hardwiring and only need to be charged periodically through the sun (or plugged into a USB for a constant power supply).

Smart blinds that are a little more expensive

Levolor makes smart blinds that are a little more expensive but they are also very high quality. They’re designed to replace your existing blinds and offer a wide range of colors, styles, and materials so you can match them to your decor. They’re also available with a built-in motor for additional automation and are compatible with Google Assistant, Alexa, SmartThings, and Apple HomeKit. Levolor’s setup requires a hub which you can purchase separately or include when ordering the blinds (which is nice since they’re not that cheap to begin with).

Custom-cut shades to ensure they fit your windows perfectly

Somfy offers both Smart Blinds and shades that can be retrofitted to your current setup. You can choose from several standard sizes and mount types and can even order custom-cut shades to ensure they fit your windows perfectly. They’re also compatible with a variety of smart home systems including Google Assistant, Alexa, SmartThings, HomeKit, and IFTTT.

The new Soma Connect is a very interesting option

If you’re looking for something more affordable, the new Soma Connect is a very interesting option. It’s a small box that attaches to your existing blinds and connects via Bluetooth low energy to your smart home system of choice. It’s compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa and you can add it to your Home Assistant setup easily – just search for “Soma” in the integrations list and you’re good to go. It does rely on a smartphone app to function though which some may not be comfortable with.

Conclusion

Lastly, the Sunsa Wand is a simple device that allows you to upgrade your existing blinds in less than 2 minutes. This battery-powered device replaces your existing wand/tilt mechanism and can be used with most standard blinds. It’s controlled via the free mobile app and includes features such as scheduling and sunrise/sunset automation.


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