The Latest Smart Home Tech Your Hudson Valley Home Needs

Are you building a home in the Hudson Valley? Or maybe you’re remodeling your current one? Either way, you have probably put some thought into all the at-home conveniences that smart home technology can bring. As we’re in the midst of building our own Dream Home in Millerton, we’re considering everything from exquisite design elements to luxury fixtures and appliances, so we reached out to DBS Remodel for some expert advice.

Based in Poughkeepsie, DBS Remodel has been in business for almost 40 years servicing the Dutchess County area and beyond. The company was founded as Dutchess Decking in 1986 by Brian Altmann with a focus on custom decking, glass sunrooms, and screen enclosures. Since then, the brand transformed into Dutchess Building Specialists in 1990 after recognizing a demand for full-service remodeling and finally evolved into DBS Remodel in 2007.

With several awards over the years and a move to a new shop, the Poughkeepsie-based operation now provides a wide array of home renovation services and transforms various areas of Hudson Valley homes, including kitchens, bathrooms, and both exterior and interior spaces. Safe to say, DBS Remodel is well versed in the smart home tech space. As such, we heard from Ayla Altmann, marketing director at DBS Remodel and daughter of founder Brian, about some modern recommendations.

“At DBS Remodel, we are always looking for new ways to make our clients’ homes more comfortable and convenient, and smart home features have become the most popular upgrades in our recent home remodels,” says Ayla.

Among these features, Ayla cites smart ovens as a top choice for homeowners. Not only do the cooking appliances provide convenience by allowing users to preheat, monitor, and control their cooking right from a phone app, but they also provide a level of safety that typical ovens do not offer by allowing for owners to ensure their ovens are off from remote locations. Similarly, Nest thermostats also provide peace of mind. Perfect for homeowners who travel or may have multiple homes, the thermostats can be adjusted remotely for efficiency and safety.

In the bathroom, Ayla recommends Bluetooth-enabled smart mirrors that let users listen to their favorite music or podcast while in the shower or getting ready. Smart toilets, like the ones from Kohler, are another big hit for their features like Bluetooth, built-in speakers, lighting, bidet functions, and heated seats. Schluter Ditra heated floors are a client favorite in bathrooms and bedrooms, providing comfort through an app that controls temperatures. “Our clients love being able to wake up in the morning and turn on their heated floors before even getting out of bed,” says Ayla. Heated floors are especially ideal for the colder months that the Hudson Valley experiences.

“Our clients have been extremely satisfied with their choices to implement smart technology in their homes when remodeling,” says Ayla. “It makes their lives so much easier and adds a functionality that normal appliances don’t offer.”