Tiffany Brooks is the visionary designer behind the HGTV Smart Home series for the past 10 years. Brooks’ designs have continually pushed the boundaries of innovation, blending style with cutting-edge technology. This year, she took on the unique challenge of remodeling a home in the multicultural city of Atlanta. With a keen eye on the existing architecture, Tiffany embarked on a seven-month journey to transform the space into a modern marvel.
Innovation & Tech Today spoke with Brooks about her creative process, standout smart features of HGTV Smart Home, and the future of smart home technology, such as the rise of robots.
Innovation & Tech Today: Congratulations on designing HGTV Smart Home for the tenth year in a row! Can you tell us about the design process?
Tiffany Brooks: Thank you so much. I’m absolutely honored. Well, first, I started by catching the vibe of Atlanta. Atlanta is different because it’s so multicultural and diverse, so I honed in on that as well as the architecture of the home.
Since this is the first year we remodeled a home instead of doing a new build, the architecture and the bones of the home served as the starting point, and I went from there to create a design plan. Overall, it took seven months to complete.
I&T Today: What are some of the standout smart technologies and features in this year’s HGTV Smart Home?
Brooks: Flex spaces! One thing I had so much fun with was incorporating multiple-use spaces throughout my design. For example, the family room also serves as a library and office by incorporating custom bookcases and smart features like a Frame TV and a computer monitor that can be hidden with the push of a button.
We also had the opportunity to add some functional tech to a hall closet to act as laundry storage as well as a cleaning solution. Not only is there a hidden ironing board and hamper, but a vacuum port is installed to make cleaning the floors a breeze.
I&T Today: How do you balance aesthetic and functional aspects of a design, particularly when integrating smart home technology?
Brooks: Smart design is about functionality, technology, and sustainable living. In my experience, more brands than ever, especially in the home category, are turning towards producing more practical and sustainable products. Smart home technology is becoming a lot more common and, in turn, has made for a wider variety of “prettier” options. So, my selections have been made much, much easier.
I&T Today: As the host and lead designer of the HGTV Smart Home series, what are some of the most exciting smart home innovations you’ve encountered?
Brooks: I’m a sucker for anything that moves and can be easily hidden as well as anything that brings high-tech to the outdoors. A pop-up charging station is definitely a favorite of mine. I also personally love having wireless security cameras outside. Having a watchful eye on things, especially when I am away, is life-changing.
I&T Today: How do you see the future of smart home technology evolving, and what trends should homeowners be aware of?
Brooks: Robots. 100%. I think we should prepare to embrace them. I know how that sounds, but if you think about how technology, especially AI, is rapidly growing and expanding. It’s not far off to say that within the next 10 years, robots (especially in the home category) will be in most households.
I&T Today: What advice would you give to aspiring interior designers who are just starting their careers, especially in integrating technology into their designs?
Brooks: My best advice would be to pay attention to the evolving technology around you. Interior design often follows fashion trends, and fashion is influenced heavily by technology. Understanding when and where to use technology is also important, as is consistency.
I&T Today: Sustainability is a growing concern for many homeowners. How do you incorporate eco-friendly technologies and sustainable practices into your smart home designs?
Brooks: Sustainable living is a part of smart design, so having a smart home also means incorporating eco-friendly elements and sustainable materials. I always look at how things are built, how they’re made, and how they will hold up over time. Knowledge is power here, and so I make a conscious effort about what I include in my smart home designs.
I&T Today: For homeowners looking to incorporate smart technology into their homes, where do you suggest they start, and what are some essential features they should consider?
Brooks: I always say start with security. Think about cameras, a video doorbell, and having visuals around your entire home. It is an easy first step because it involves your safety and well-being. From there, you can move on to your appliances and then entertainment. But again, safety first!
