Smart devices bring a huge benefit to our daily lives. However, when it comes to decorating, they have their downsides. Cords, speakers, consoles, monitors and other tech usually aren't stylish to begin with, and in a historic home, they look far out of place. Thankfully, you don’t have to shun modern technology in your historic brick home for the sake of aesthetics. With careful planning and savvy purchasing decisions, there are several ways of blending modern technology into your historic home.
Keep it Simple With Hidden Charging Stations
One of the easiest ways to deal with tech clutter is to eliminate cords. Using wireless devices gives you the option of keeping them out of sight while they’re in use, but eventually they’ll need to be recharged. By dedicating a hidden spot, such as inside an armoire, basket or drawer, you can run through the back of the charging station and keep your devices ready to go without drawing unwanted attention to them. You can also purchase a variety of period-appropriate furniture reproductions with modern solutions built right in.
Solutions for Permanent Smart Device Cords
Not all smart devices can allow you to be cord-free. You can still keep your historic brick home looking its best with paintable wall cord covers that create a rigid channel and blend into the background. Floor cord concealers work in the same way. While originally designed to prevent tripping hazards, they can also be placed unobtrusively along the edges of a floor, removing unsightly wires snaking around the room. Additionally, there are plenty of decorative cable management boxes to keep cords and power strips tucked away from view.
Hiding Smart Devices While Maintaining a Historic Home Aesthetic
Remote locations can help eliminate some unnecessary devices, limiting the number of items you need to hide. Many of today’s smart devices allow you to access a single device and use it throughout the house—this includes things like entertainment boxes, internet access, and lighting. Placing the smart device in a dedicated equipment closet or armoire will conceal the workings of your smart home.
Voice-activated smart devices can be hidden in baskets. There are a variety of plant pots specifically designed to hold these devices, keeping them tucked away on shelves while providing a decorative element to your room. You can purchase wireless speakers to match your interior walls or pick up some vinyl wrap to blend them away. Smart TVs can stay out of sight behind stylish media centers, but another option is to hang artwork that conceals the television when not in use. You can also build a custom frame to surround the TV, and although the TV won’t be hidden, it will better match your décor.
Hiding smaller devices involves placing them behind false books, many of which will fit in perfectly with your home and style. Available in a variety of sizes, they have the spines and visible sides of books, housing a wide assortment of electronics and smart devices. Incorporating these strategies ensures that modern technology seamlessly melds with the vintage charm of your historic home. By balancing the old and the new, you’re able to maintain the integrity of the home's aesthetic while still enjoying the conveniences of today's innovations.
Renaissance Development, experts in traditional tuckpointing methods, specializes in brick repair and restoration projects in Capitol Hill and many other historic neighborhoods in Washington, DC. Contact us today for expert advice on your historic brick home. We offer free consultations.
