3 Min Read
The definition of a luxury home is evolving. It’s no longer just about the materials on the walls, but about how a space makes you feel. New research from The Harris Poll for Lutron Electronics reveals a significant shift in design priorities: lighting, automated shades, and integrated controls have moved from high-end amenities to essential components of a home, playing a central role in shaping mood, promoting wellness, and enabling deep personalization.
More Than an Accessory: Lighting as a Core Design Principle
Lighting is now a foundational element of the design process. An overwhelming 94% of designers report that their clients view lighting as highly important, understanding its transformative power. In fact, nearly half of design professionals (47%) warn that poor lighting can devalue even the most high-end architecture and finishes. This reflects a new understanding among homeowners that lighting is intrinsically linked to lifestyle, with many prioritizing the ambiance it creates (50%) and recognizing its tangible wellness benefits (44%).
Beyond Static Grids: The Rise of Dynamic, Responsive Lighting
The trend is decidedly moving away from static, uniform light toward systems that are fluid and attuned to the rhythms of daily life. As Lutron’s Senior Director Cecilia Ramos notes, “Static light doesn’t feel natural. Dynamic, tunable lighting is becoming essential to creating fluid, multi-use environments.” While a majority of homeowners (60%) already adjust lighting based on mood or time of day, there is a significant opportunity for more intuitive control. Despite 42% expressing interest in preset lighting scenes, only 9% currently use them, revealing a major growth area for smart, human-centric systems.
From Luxury to Necessity: Automated Shades Become a Design Standard
Just as the approach to lighting has evolved, so has the role of window treatments. Motorized shades are no longer considered a rare luxury but are now an expected feature in high-end homes. 56% of designers now include automated shades in their final plans, signaling a clear shift to a new standard. This trend is driven by both aesthetics and practicality, as automated shades help manage natural light, protect furnishings from sun damage, and enhance privacy. With significant homeowner interest also on the rise, the category is poised for strong growth.
The Art of Personalized, Seamless Control
Ultimately, the data highlights that the pinnacle of modern luxury is the seamless integration of technology and design. Homeowners are seeking to make their environments uniquely their own, using personalized keypad engravings for lighting scenes like “Entertain” or “Meditation” to instantly match the mood of the room to their activity. The goal is to achieve a state of “personalized simplicity,” where the technology disappears into the background while elevating the experience. It’s a design philosophy that connects how a home functions to how its owners want to feel, creating a truly responsive and restorative space. As home renovation expert Julee Ireland emphasizes, “When we feel good in our space, we live well — and that’s truly timeless.”
About the research
This survey was conducted online within the United States from September 24 – September 28, 2025, and queried 511 randomly selected affluent American homeowners and 254 interior designers and architects. The margin of error for this group is ±4.3 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Residential interior designers and architects were sampled, and results reflect those surveyed.
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