Friday 8 August 2014

Technology in home furniture: what can we expect to see in the coming years?

Photo Credit: JD Hancock
We are currently in the midst of a the most technically advanced digital age we have ever been through and technological gadgets are now becoming increasingly common in all aspects of our everyday life, including the home. It’s not just the home, our furniture is joining the party. High tech gadgets are now becoming embedded in ordinary objects and whereas this was a fiction of the imagination of science fiction writers in the past, it is now happening for real.

We have gone and found furnishings which are both practical and visually appealing, some of these technologies are available now, whilst others will become prevalent in years to come. One thing that they have in common is that they’re extremely advances whilst being multifunctional and superbly practical at the same time.

With production methods now so advanced, and much more advanced than they have ever been, it really isn't hard to imagine a plethora of hybrid furniture which combines say, a tablet, and a plush leather recliner. And why not, if it can be made, it should be! We've travelled a long way since the trusty cup holder was a function that left people in shock, and very soon there will be technologies that don't even exist yet which are incorporated into our chairs, seats, tables, stools or worktops. But what can we expect, this blog will give you a taster of what might be around the corner:

Tabletop tablets




Already available from Hammacher, the coffee table touch screen turns the humble coffee table into a fully interactive and fully functioning windows 8 tablet, complete with its huge 32” touch screen. We imagine they will become more common over the next few years and they are very useful for people who want to look at photos or maps at the same time.

Not only is it a tablet, you can obviously place your coffee on it, or even eat of it. There is no need to worry about spillages due to the reinforced glass which is also equipped with an anti-glare filtering.

Slotted tech furniture




With the rise of iPads and other tablet brands, it’s only a matter of time before designers create furniture which incorporates slots so that they can sit upright, so we can easily view either a streamed television show or simultaneously browse the internet together with somebody else. No more will we have to perch our phones or tablets up against things, and this sort of feature could be included in almost any type of furniture you might find in the home.


The I-Sopod




It’s always ideal to find a place to relax that will put you in complete peace and take you away from the world. The I-sopod is designed to do just this. This bath is shaped just like a big round pod that opens and closes. When the tub is open, it lights up using the LED lights that are installed inside the base of the tub. Not only does it light up in captivating colours, it is also installed with an MP3 system so that you can completely chill out. The I-sopod is designed to come in a variety of colours to suit your preference. Will we be seeing more technology like this in the future?

The Light up Coffee Table




This table has been cleverly designed to interact with any movement on the table. It is designed with LED lighting that senses absolutely anything that touches the table. The lights are white and very bright, and it creates an effect that looks surreal and very pretty. The cord that connects the lighting is hidden well meaning there are no annoying wires all over the floor - it is also a very eco-friendly option.

Keyboard integrated chairs




In the digital age, the need for gadgets to be integrated in furniture has grown significantly, and this need has been answered by the ‘Origin’ ergonomic task chair. Its allows you to sit whilst offering a keyboard on either arm of the chair, you can therefore keep a good posture. The fully adjustable ‘Origin’ was built with your average office worker in mind and looks to prevent repetitive strain injuries whilst allowing the user to remain comfortable.


Tech-charging furniture




In the future we might see a rise in furniture which has built in charging facilities, allowing us to charge up our digital products whilst not taking up extra space with unsightly wires. Perfect for the minimalist, this furniture would allow us to power up whilst our devices remained hidden away in draws. This would be a great option for people who live in smaller spaces or those with one eye on technical developments.

Door handle with self-sterilization system



We've all been there, after going to the toilet, having to use the door handle which may be germ ridden. There has been rumours of a door handle which will eliminate this issue and just by touching the handle and opening the door, your hands will be sterilised. A very handy invention which could work in the home but would be especially handy in a public location.


The Cloud




Want to feel like you’re floating on a cloud when you relax? This design concept plays with idea of feeling on top of the clouds. This is a lounger chair  design that uses a magnetic field base that lies on the floor. The magnetic field is used to keep up a light and soft cushion shaped like a cloud. This levitating sofa could be the world’s favourite thing to sit back and relax on in the future!

Who really knows what the distant future really holds, the technologies we have included in this list are either currently in the prototype stage or are being rolled out soon by their designers. Whilst they might be on the higher end of the price range now, it wont be long before they are widespread and are incorporating all the technologies of the day. They will make our lives much easier from day to day whilst ensuring we are connected to the outside world and are able to continue living our online lives, or even carry on working.

This blog was written by Jennifer Smith for <a href=”http://conwyvalleyplumbing.co.uk/central-heating-installations/”>Conwy Valley Plumbing</a>, the premier provider of all your energy saving and bathroom installation services in the UK.

Images courtesy of Shutterstock

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