The Biggest Home AV & Smart Home Trends of the Year
In 2025, Luxury Homes Became Smarter, More Comfortable, and More Connected
Living in a smart home is about so much more than living with technology for technology’s sake. It’s about creating an environment that feels intuitive, personalized to your family’s preferences, and with a touch of luxury added to your usual routines.
In 2025, homeowners across the country are leaning further into technology-rich living by working with integrators, builders, and designers to curate spaces where simple control, comfort, and entertainment are fully aligned with their lifestyles.
At Crawford Entertainment Systems, we’ve seen firsthand how the best AV and smart home trends this year have elevated our clients’ homes. Below, we take a look at the key shifts we saw in 2025—and our predictions on where things are headed next. Keep reading!
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Trend #1: High-End Audio Finds Its Moment Again
Two-channel audio systems saw a noticeable resurgence this year. Homeowners who once settled for soundbars or Bluetooth speakers rediscovered the beauty of intentional listening. Speakers became centerpieces in living rooms, libraries, and dedicated listening spaces. Paired with trusted amplifiers, preamps, and subwoofers, these high-performance sound systems offer something irreplaceable: rich, dimensional sound that brings music to life. For those seeking immersive audio experiences that go beyond background noise, brands like Focal, B&W, Klipsch, and others remind us that sound matters.
Trend #2: Smarter Control for Every Room
Simplified home automaton and control systems have redefined what modern living looks like, especially in larger homes. Control4 and Crestron Home continue to lead the way with beautifully integrated platforms that manage lighting, shading, climate, and AV from one intuitive interface. Want to experience how simple it is to manage all of your devices? Visit our C4 Certified Showroom.
By embracing the ability to customize scenes, homeowners can now adjust the entire home’s lighting and music with a single touch or voice command. This shift toward centralized, reliable control reduces complexity while enhancing daily comfort, entertainment, and efficiency.
Trend #3: Lighting and Shades that Respond to Life
Motorized shades and smart lighting systems became essential design elements in 2025. More homeowners are embracing automated routines that provide natural light in the morning, soft lighting at sunset, and energy-saving dimming when rooms aren’t in use.
Indoor and outdoor solutions pair clean aesthetics with meaningful impact everywhere, from the kitchen to the covered patio. The result: improved sleep cycles, better energy management, and enhanced well-being no matter where you’re located.
Trend #4: Outdoor AV Joins the Conversation
Outdoor living continues to evolve this year, especially with advancements in weatherproof AV. Turning your outdoor kitchen into the ultimate party spot can rival its indoor counterparts.
Landscape audio, buried subwoofers, and all-weather displays bring high-quality sound and visuals to patios, pools, and rooftop terraces—enhancing entertainment experiences without sacrificing style or performance.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next in 2026
The coming year will bring a greater focus on interoperability, enabling various smart home systems to communicate more efficiently with third-party devices. Homeowners will continue to expect control platforms to connect new lighting, audio, video, and shading effortlessly, regardless of brand.
We’re also watching the rise of microLED displays, which offer remarkable brightness and lifespan in a more energy-efficient package—perfect for home theaters and media rooms with clean, modern aesthetics.
Lastly, energy management is gaining traction. Battery backup and solar-ready systems are increasingly being installed in luxury homes, aligning smart technology with long-term sustainability goals.
Plan Ahead for a Smarter 2026
The smartest homes are the ones designed around how you live your life, and the best time to plan is before construction or renovation begins. Integrating AV and automation early leads to cleaner installations, better performance, and solutions that feel native to the space.
Visit our Control4 Certified Louisville showroom to experience these and other systems in action. Our team is ready to help you design the next phase of your connected lifestyle, where comfort, control, and technology come together with purpose.
Let Crawford Entertainment Systems help you plan for a more exciting new year. Schedule a consultation or a showroom visit today, and let’s explore what’s possible.
