Exploring IKEA’s New Smart Home Range: A Personal Journey
On a recent visit to IKEA, I was thrilled to discover their expanded range of smart home products. Intrigued by the possibilities, I decided to delve deeper into each product and envision how I could integrate them into my home. Here’s a look at the various smart products I found and how I plan to use them to enhance my living space.
The DIRIGEA Hub
Get ready to transform your home into a haven of smart tech magic with the DIRIGERA Hub, the beating heart of IKEA’s smart home system! This little powerhouse seamlessly connects and controls all your smart products through the intuitive IKEA Home smart app. Imagine managing your lighting, blinds, speakers, and more, all with the tap of a finger on your smartphone or tablet.
But wait, there’s more! The DIRIGERA Hub lets you create customizable scenes to set the perfect mood, whether it’s a cosy movie night or a vibrant dinner party. And with voice control compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, and Google Home, you can command your smart home with just your voice!
The DIRIGERA Hub also gives you real-time monitoring so you can keep an eye on your home, even when you’re away. This incredible hub makes it easy to integrate multiple devices into a cohesive system, creating a truly smart and convenient living space. If you’re looking to elevate your home with the latest smart technology, the DIRIGERA Hub is an absolute must-have!
Light Bulbs
Light up your life with IKEA’s TRÅDFRI LED bulbs, the perfect way to illuminate any room with style and smarts!
The GU10 bulb is a superstar for spotlights, delivering 345 lumen of bright, adjustable light. Want a warm, cozy glow for a relaxing evening? No problem! Need a cool, crisp light for focused work? Done! This versatile bulb lets you wirelessly dim and adjust the light tone from warm to cool, making it ideal for both task and ambient lighting.
For general lighting needs, look no further than the B22, E14 and E27 bulbs, boasting a powerful 1055 lumen. But that’s not all! These bulbs lets you switch between three distinct colour temperatures, creating the perfect mood for any activity. Need a vibrant energy boost? Switch to a cool white. Want a cozy, relaxing atmosphere? Choose a warm white. The possibilities are endless!
All these bulbs are energy-efficient, consuming up to 85% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, making them good for the planet and your wallet! And with the IKEA Home smart app, you can control your lighting with ease, creating a truly smart and personalized home experience.
Lighting Fixtures
Get ready to illuminate your home with IKEA’s stunning collection of smart lighting solutions! These innovative lights combine cutting-edge technology with sleek design, making them the perfect way to enhance your home’s ambiance and functionality.
The MITTLED LED Spotlight is a must-have for any kitchen! This versatile and energy-efficient spotlight illuminates your cabinets, showcasing your beautiful dinnerware collection and creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. With its dimmable white light, you can adjust the mood to suit any occasion. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to install and uses up to 85% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, lasting 20 times longer! It’s a sustainable choice for your home and your wallet.
For flawless illumination over your kitchen work surfaces, the IRSTA LED Worktop Lighting is the perfect solution. Its opal white finish provides even, shadow-free lighting, making food preparation a breeze. This modern lighting solution not only enhances your kitchen’s functionality but also adds a touch of elegance.
Looking for a smart, wireless lighting solution for smaller rooms? The STOFMOLN LED Ceiling/Wall Lamp is your answer! This compact lamp offers a warm white glow that can be dimmed wirelessly through the IKEA Home smart app. Adjust the lighting to suit your mood and activities, whether you’re relaxing in the hallway or reading a book in the corridor. It’s a practical and stylish addition to any home.
The PILSKOTT LED Floor Lamp is a true design statement! Its modern graphic shape and bendable LED strip create dynamic light effects, adding a touch of contemporary flair to your living room or bedroom. Dim the light wirelessly to suit your needs, making it the perfect companion for cozy evenings or lively gatherings.
Finally, the NYMÅNE LED Pendant Lamp combines vintage inspiration with modern functionality. This stunning pendant lamp features a wireless dimmable white spectrum, allowing you to adjust the colour temperature from warm to cool white. Perfect for dining areas, it provides direct light over your table, creating a pleasant atmosphere for meals. The NYMÅNE lamp’s adjustable lighting and stylish design make it a versatile and attractive addition to any room.
Together, these IKEA smart lighting solutions offer a perfect blend of functionality, energy efficiency, and modern design, enhancing the ambiance and convenience of your home. Get ready to illuminate your life with IKEA!
Sensors and Controls
Step into a world of smart home convenience with IKEA’s incredible range of sensors and smart controllers! These innovative gadgets make your home safer, more efficient, and more comfortable than ever before.
The STYRBAR Remote Control is a game-changer for anyone who wants to simplify their lighting control. This versatile remote allows you to manage up to 10 LED light bulbs simultaneously! Dim the lights, switch them on and off, and even adjust the color temperature to create the perfect ambiance for any occasion. Its compact design and magnetic wall bracket make it incredibly convenient to use and store. Say goodbye to wired installations and hello to effortless lighting control!
The VALLHORN Wireless Motion Sensor is a brilliant way to enhance home security and convenience. This sensor automatically turns on lights when motion is detected, both indoors and outdoors. Place it strategically around your home to ensure safety and peace of mind. It operates on rechargeable batteries and can be connected to multiple light sources, making it a practical and energy-efficient solution.
The VINDSTYRKA Air Quality Sensor is a must-have for anyone who wants to breathe easy. This smart device monitors harmful particles (PM2.5), temperature, humidity, and total volatile organic compounds (tVOC) in your home, providing real-time data on air quality. It’s particularly useful in areas prone to pollutants, like kitchens or near fireplaces, and can be integrated with other smart home devices for enhanced functionality. Breathe easy knowing you’re creating a healthy living environment for yourself and your family.
The PARASOLL Door/Window Sensor adds an extra layer of security to your home. This slim sensor easily installs on various types of doors and windows, alerting you if they’re opened. When connected to the DIRIGERA hub, it sends notifications to your smartphone, ensuring you’re always aware of any unexpected entries. Peace of mind at your fingertips!
The BADRING Water Leakage Sensor is a lifesaver for preventing potential water damage. This small, easy-to-place sensor can be positioned under sinks, near appliances, or in any area where leaks might occur. When water is detected, it emits a beep and sends a notification to your smartphone (if connected to the DIRIGERA hub), allowing you to act quickly and prevent costly damage.
The SOMRIG Shortcut Button is a game-changer for your smart home! This compact button allows you to effortlessly activate up to six preset scenes from the IKEA Home smart app. Enjoy seamless control over your lighting and ambiance with a simple push!
Finally, The INSPELNING Plug with Energy Monitor transforms any household appliance into a smart device! Plug your appliances into this smart plug and control them remotely, monitoring their energy usage through the IKEA Home smart app. This feature helps you manage your energy consumption more effectively, potentially lowering your electricity bills. Perfect for lamps, coffee makers, and other small appliances, it combines convenience with energy efficiency.
Smart Audio Solutions
Get ready to elevate your home’s sound and style with IKEA’s SYMFONISK range, developed in collaboration with Sonos! This innovative collection seamlessly blends high-quality audio with stylish design, creating a perfect harmony for any home environment.
The SYMFONISK WiFi Bookshelf Speaker is a versatile masterpiece that can be placed horizontally or vertically, or even mounted on the wall to double as a practical shelf. Its compact design blends seamlessly into any room without sacrificing space or aesthetics, while still delivering rich, room-filling sound. It’s perfect for spaces where you want great audio without compromising your style.
The SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp is a true innovation! This sleek black base with a glass shade combines a WiFi speaker with a functional lamp, providing both ambient lighting and high-quality sound. It’s an ideal addition to bedside tables or living room side tables, adding a touch of elegance and functionality to any space. Its dual functionality eliminates the need for additional devices, making it a stylish and practical choice.
The SYMFONISK Picture Frame with WiFi Speaker is perhaps the most unique of the trio. This powerful speaker is disguised within a stylish picture frame, available in black. Hang it on the wall or lean it against it, seamlessly integrating with your home decor. It even supports interchangeable fronts, allowing you to customize its appearance to match your style. This clever design ensures that the speaker provides excellent audio quality while remaining unobtrusive, making it perfect for living rooms, bedrooms, or any space where you want to maintain a clean, minimalist look.
Together, these SYMFONISK products demonstrate how smart technology can be elegantly incorporated into home decor, offering both functionality and style without compromising on either. Embrace the future of home audio with IKEA’s SYMFONISK range, and transform your home into a sanctuary of sound and style!
Extras
Get ready to elevate your home with two innovative products from IKEA that seamlessly blend functionality and style! First up is the STARKVIND Table with Air Purifier. This stunning piece of furniture is not just a table; it’s a smart air purification solution that enhances your living space. Crafted with a beautiful stained oak veneer, the STARKVIND table features a built-in air purifier that effectively cleans the air in your home, making it perfect for small rooms. Imagine enjoying your coffee while knowing that the air around you is fresh and clean! You can manage the air quality manually or through the IKEA Home app, giving you complete control at your fingertips. Plus, it comes with an additional gas filter, ensuring that your indoor air remains free from harmful pollutants. This table is a stylish investment in both your home decor and your health.
Next, let’s talk about the FYRTUR Block-out Roller Blind. This smart, wireless, battery-operated blind is a game-changer for anyone looking to create the perfect ambiance in their home. With its ability to completely block out light, the FYRTUR blind transforms your room into a cozy sanctuary, ideal for sleep or movie nights. You can control it remotely or integrate it with the DIRIGERA hub and the IKEA Home app for even more convenience. Imagine waking up in the morning and effortlessly adjusting your blinds without getting out of bed! Available in a sleek grey color, these blinds not only enhance your privacy but also add a modern touch to your decor. They are an affordable way to upgrade your living space while enjoying the benefits of smart home technology.
Room-by-Room Integration
Hold on to your hats, smart home enthusiasts! As soon as I saw all those amazing IKEA smart home products, my mind was racing with upgrade possibilities. The best part? They all run on the Zigbee protocol, which means you can easily integrate them into your existing Home Assistant setup with a couple of Zigbee radios. Imagine customizing your light switches to work with these awesome IKEA devices!
But then, I spotted the SOMRIG Shortcut Button, and my jaw dropped. This little button is a game-changer! It eliminates the need for any complex integration, allowing you to control everything from within the IKEA Smart Home Platform. It’s incredibly user-friendly, making smart home control a breeze.
Of course, if you’re a tinkerer at heart and enjoy a bit of “jiggery pokery,” you can definitely utilize these products within Home Assistant. The possibilities are endless!
I thought I’d do a relatively quick run around my house and let you know what I would install, replace or upgrade.
Front Garden
The front garden is where it all begins. Those old wall lights, with their outdated GU10 bulbs? Gone! They’re getting replaced with sleek, energy-efficient LED alternatives. I can already picture the warm glow welcoming guests to my home.
Front Porch
The front porch is getting a complete makeover. Two door and window sensors will be keeping a watchful eye, ensuring my home is secure. The aging ceiling light is getting the boot, replaced with the stunning STOFTMOLN LED Ceiling light. And of course, there’s a SOMRIG Shortcut Button to control it all. Plus, a FYRTUR Block-out roller blind for those times I want to create a cozy, light-free haven. And let’s not forget the VINDSTYRKA Air Quality Sensor to keep the air fresh and clean.
Downstairs Hall
The downstairs hall is getting a touch of smart home magic, too. The ceiling light is getting a much-needed upgrade with 3 energy-efficient GU10 LED bulbs. Two SOMRIG Shortcut Buttons will be strategically placed, ensuring I can control the lighting from anywhere in the hall. And an Air Quality Sensor will be keeping the air fresh and healthy.
Kitchen
Oh, the kitchen! This is where the real fun begins. An Air Quality Sensor and a Air Purifier will be keeping the air clean while I’m whipping up culinary masterpieces. Two SOMRIG Shortcut Buttons will be strategically placed, allowing me to control the lighting with ease. The existing ceiling bulbs are getting replaced with energy-efficient GU10 LED bulbs. I’m also adding a pair of SYMFONISK Wi-Fi bookshelf speakers to create a truly immersive sound experience, and upgrading my smart speaker to a HomePod for even better sound quality. Then, there’s the IRSTALED worktop lighting to illuminate my culinary creations. And to top it all off, a FYRTUR Block-out roller blind for those late-night cooking sessions.
Dining Room
The dining room is getting a touch of elegance and functionality. Those two pendant lights are getting replaced with the NYMÅNE LED Pendant Lamp, adding a touch of modern sophistication. The existing lamp is getting an upgrade with an energy-efficient LED bulb. And of course, we can’t forget the essentials: an Air Quality Sensor to keep the air fresh and two SOMRIG Shortcut Buttons for convenient lighting control. One by the door to the room and one by the door to the outside will allow me to control the lighting from anywhere in the room. I’m also adding an INSPELNING Plug to control the string lights that adorn my garden, creating a magical ambiance. And for those times when I want to create a cozy, light-free haven, I’ll be adding a FYRTUR Block-out roller blind.
Living Room
The living room is the heart of the home, and it’s getting a complete smart home makeover. We’re leaving the ceiling fan alone (for now!), as IKEA doesn’t currently offer smart ceiling fan modules. But the four GU10 bulbs in the wall lights are getting swapped out for energy-efficient LEDs. Our old side table is getting replaced with one of the Air Purifier Tables, adding a touch of style and functionality. The standing lamp is getting an upgrade with the PILSKOTT LED floor lamp, providing a warm, inviting glow. An Air Quality Sensor will be keeping the air fresh and clean. And for complete control, I’m adding three SOMRIG Shortcut Buttons—one by the door and two strategically placed on either side of the sofa. Finally, I’m adding a pair of smart speakers, linked to our Apple TV, for an immersive audio experience.
Top Hall
The top hall is getting a simple but effective upgrade. The five E14 bulbs are getting replaced with smart bulbs, allowing me to control the lighting with ease. Two SOMRIG Shortcut Buttons will be strategically placed, ensuring I can control the lighting from anywhere in the hall. And an Air Quality Sensor will be keeping the air fresh and healthy.
Bathroom
The bathroom is getting a touch of luxury and smart home magic. Those outdated LED downlights are getting replaced with the STOFMOLN LED Ceiling/Wall Lamp, providing a brighter, more even light. An Air Quality Sensor will be keeping the air fresh and clean. And a SOMRIG Shortcut Button will be placed for convenient lighting control. Finally, two FYRTUR Block-out roller blinds will be added to the windows, providing privacy and light control.
Master Bedroom
The master bedroom is getting a touch of luxury and smart home magic. An Air Quality Monitor will be keeping the air fresh and clean. Three SOMRIG Shortcut Buttons will be strategically placed for convenient lighting control. The bulb in the ceiling light will be replaced with a smart bulb, allowing me to control the lighting with ease. And the two lamps are getting replaced with a pair of SYMFONISK Speaker Lamps, creating a truly immersive audio experience. Finally, a FYRTUR Block-out roller blind will be added to the window, providing privacy and light control.
Kids Bedroom
The kids’ room is getting a touch of fun and functionality. An Air Quality Monitor will be keeping the air fresh and clean. Two SOMRIG Shortcut Buttons will be strategically placed for convenient lighting control. An Air Purifier will be attached to the wall, ensuring the air is always clean and healthy. The bulb in the ceiling light will be replaced with an IKEA smart bulb, allowing me to control the lighting with ease. The existing lamp will be replaced with a SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp, creating a truly immersive audio experience. Finally, a FYRTUR Block-out roller blind will be added to the window, providing privacy and light control.
Office
Ah, the office! The haven where I spend countless hours Working From home and crafting these smart home adventures. It’s time to give this space the smart home upgrade it deserves, and I’m brimming with excitement!
First, we’ll be installing the standard smart home essentials: an Air Quality Monitor to keep the air fresh and two SOMRIG Shortcut Buttons for convenient lighting control. But wait, there’s more!
My current desk lamp is getting a major upgrade with a SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp. I’m envisioning a symphony of sound and light, perfect for those late-night writing sessions. And to create a truly immersive atmosphere, I’ll be adding another SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp on the opposite side of the room.
To add a touch of warmth and style, I’ll be placing a PILSKOTT LED Floor Lamp in the corner next to my beloved potted plant. The bulb in the ceiling light is getting replaced with an IKEA Smart Bulb, allowing me to control the lighting with ease. And for those times when I need to focus and block out distractions, I’ll be adding a FYRTUR Block-out roller blind to the window. Finally, to ensure the air is always fresh and clean, I’ll be adding an Air Purifier to the room. And because space is at a premium, I’ll be mounting it to the wall.
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the cost! It’s definitely an investment, but trust me, the convenience and functionality of these IKEA smart home products are worth every penny. Especially when you compare them to other brands – IKEA’s quality is fantastic, and their designs are sleek and modern.
I’m still working out the exact budget myself, but I’m excited to see how everything comes together. I love that IKEA’s ecosystem is so streamlined and integrates seamlessly with Apple HomeKit. No need for complicated setups or a Raspberry Pi – just pure, simple smart home magic! While I appreciate the power of Home Assistant, I’m happy to keep things simple and focus on the features that truly make a difference in our everyday lives.
So, what do you think? Would you consider upgrading your home with IKEA’s smart home products? Would you swap out your entire smart home setup for these? And what do you think IKEA is missing from their line up? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Let me know in the comments below or on the social post that bought you here – I’m eager to chat with you about this exciting smart home journey!