The Tech Effect: Technology Influencing Furniture and Home Design in More Ways Than One

Feature photo above courtesy of Pella Windows & Doors.

 

Author Alvin Toffler once wrote that technology is the great “engine of change.” As evidenced more every day, he could not have been more right, even when it comes to the world of furniture and home design.

 

These days, many pieces of furniture are outfitted with charging ports, outlets and ways to connect phones via apps to make everyday tasks easier for the owners. However, the less obtrusive these features are, the better for interior design sake, local designers said.

 

“Everything is very subtle,” said Natalie Biles, co-owner of Shine Interior Design Studio in Lonoke. “One of the great things I’ve seen is nightstands with built-in charging pads that you can just lay your phone down on.”

 

Jayson Cain, owner of Jayson Cain Interiors in Little Rock, said he often incorporates technology such as sound systems into designs in a way that will not detract from the overall look.

 

 

For the exterior of homes, specifically doors and windows, people are wanting technology integrated, as well, such as Wi-Fi-controlled front door locks and window panes that open up with the press of a button.

 

“That is something we’re excited to see,” said Josh Melton, sales manager at Pella Windows & Doors of Arkansas and Missouri.

 

However, some home design trends may also be a response to the constant presence of technology in people’s lives.

 

“We spend so much time in the tech world, so I think what people are starting to look for and lean toward is evidence of things having the human touch,” Biles said.

 

Designers and homeowners are incorporating this in many ways, including carved details on furniture, natural woods and one-of-a-kind items with a lot of personality.

 

 

Cain, whose design style takes inspiration from European chateaus and the Gilded Age, is seeing that with his clients. He said he has noticed even young people are leaning toward furniture and pieces that are not mass produced.

 

“They’re more geared toward purchasing antiques and collectables than in the past,” he said.

 

Rather than lots of little decoration pieces, he is also seeing people turn toward splurging on a few big statement pieces to decorate a room.

 

Biles said she has worked with numerous clients recently who are wanting rooms inspired by ‘90s trends, which seems fueled by nostalgia — a time before everyone had laptops, cell phones and chatbots at their fingertips.

 

 

No matter what vibe clients are going for, both designers work with them to incorporate the owners’ visions while still creating a timeless look homeowners can be happy with even as design trends shift.

 

The colors people are painting their rooms and wanting in furniture also appear to be moving away from the stark white and futuristic vibe that has been popular in recent years. Cain said he has been incorporating a lot of “rich and moody” paint colors into his clients’ homes. Biles said many of her clients seem to be leaning towards warmer tones, also, such as chocolate brown and clay.

 

“Colors that are grounded and natural,” Biles said.

 

On the exterior, darker colors, as well as natural woods, are in vogue, Melton said.

 

“Black windows are still very popular,” he said. “They create a lot of depth.”

 

He said many of the trends people are wanting with windows and doors can be attributed to the prevalence of home improvement shows.

 

“People see the shows and think, ‘I would like to do that here,’” he said. “‘How do I make that happen? How do I transform my home?’”

 

Transforming a home is no small task, though, so how can someone who has a whole house to decorate go about it without feeling overwhelmed? The first step is to “tackle one room at a time,” Cain said.

 

 

Katie Bodiford, a designer at Jayson Cain, suggested that if clients have favorite pieces they already like, they can reupholster them to freshen them up and give a space a whole new look.

 

“People can also try adding different textures with something like throw pillows or maybe an ottoman,” Bodiford said.

 

Updating windows may seem expensive, but they can save homeowners money by keeping heating and cooling costs low.

 

“Energy efficiency is probably the single biggest reason why people look to replace their windows and doors,” Melton said. “The cost of energy is not going down.”

 

Costs of windows and doors are not going down, either, because prices for materials are going up, Melton added. He said people who have been thinking about making replacements on their homes for a while should do it sooner rather than later.

 

However, if the budget is too tight right now for a whole redo, there are some smaller details that someone can do throughout their spaces to give them a new feel. Cain said paint and lighting changes can totally transform a room.

 

Biles suggested trying to “shop your own home.”

 

 

“Adding something from a different room can really mix things up,” she said.

 

No matter the trends a homeowner is following with their decorating, one thing is for sure: “People are looking for things that feel real,” Biles said.

 

SEE THE FEATURE BELOW AND IN OUR SEPTEMBER 2026 ISSUE OF AY MAGAZINE