Smart Homes with Smart Shades: An Introduction to Home Automation
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Smart shades are a simple upgrade that delivers a significant impact. By adding motorised control to your interior blinds, you can bring in the sunshine in an instant. With a quick tap on your phone or a button on your wall, you control the light, privacy, and mood of your home from anywhere.
Below, we explore what makes a home “smart,” the benefits of automation, and how choosing the right motorised blinds transforms Adelaide's everyday living.
What is a Smart Home?
From lighting and temperature to security and entertainment, motorisation lets you control your home with your voice, an app, or a scheduled routine.
But one home feature you might overlook is your window coverings. Imagine:
- Closing the blinds in your bedroom each night without getting up
- Being gently woken by morning sunlight at the time you choose
- Keeping your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter automatically
- Enhancing privacy with a simple tap
When it is this easy to adjust your blinds, you’ll be surprised by how often you do.
Why Use Smart Shades?
Motorised blinds instantly modernise how you use your space. No cords, no fuss, just seamless control over natural light and comfort.
So, which interior blinds can be motorised? Burns for Blinds offers a wide selection of indoor motorised blinds:
- Roller blinds
- Roman blinds
- Cellular shades
- Whisper shades
- Sunscreens
- Venetian blinds — such as aluminium or Woodmates®
No need for unsightly cords or chains like with a manual system; children will not get tangled in cords, for example, so these types are perfect for families.
Existing or brand-new window coverings can be motorised, wire-free motors can be battery or solar powered, and there's an optional interior sun sensor to 'wake up' your home. Blinds are also protected because an automatic override function kicks in if the blind is attempted to be opened or closed manually.
Flexible control options are wall mounted units, remote control or via the amazing Somfy myLink and TahomaTM One app on your smartphone or tablet.
What about motorised blinds for your outdoor living space? If you're embracing an open-plan lifestyle, there are many options for an automated solution:
- Clear PVC blinds
- Shadeview blinds
- Roller shutters
- Awnings such as straight drop, folding arm, and alpha styles
For example, smart outdoor blinds like clear PVC blinds keep rain and wind at bay, and shadeview blinds are designed to filter and view instead of blocking it entirely. There are also choices for UV strength, maintenance, and colour.
Motorising external blinds adds sophistication to any home, featuring a discreet, compact motor in a unit fixed to the fascia, is compatible with a sun sensor and wind sensor, and offers a range of control options. Wall-mounted units, remote control, or via Somfy myLink and TahomaTM One app on your smartphone or tablet.
Whether you’re motorising existing blinds or selecting new ones, smart home system installation is fast and surprisingly simple.
What are some of the benefits of installing an automated blind as opposed to a manual one?
Maximise energy efficiency
Motorised blinds help regulate indoor temperatures naturally:
- Automated schedules: close automatically during peak sun to keep rooms cooler
- Open on winter mornings to welcome warmth
- Reduce reliance on air-conditioning and heating
This supports a more energy-efficient home, climate control, and more comfortable living year-round.
Better home security
Shades that use smart home technology act as a subtle layer to your existing security systems. When you are away:
- Scheduled movements make the home appear occupied
- Temperature sensors can react to natural light
- Automated routines keep privacy consistent, day and night
It is an effortless way to enhance security without extra hardware.
Comfort and ambience
Create the perfect setting for every moment with motorised roller blinds:
- Smart lights mean you can dim the light for movie night
- Soften glare in living areas
- Wake gently with morning light
- Maintain privacy while still allowing soft natural brightness
Ambience becomes something you control, not something you tolerate.
Learn more about blinds: Do Security Doors Add Real Value To Your Home? Why Invisigard is a Smart Investment.
How Do You Pick a Smart Shade?
Choosing the right motorised blind depends on your space, style, and daily routines. Consider:
- The type of blind: roller, roman, venetian, cellular or sunscreen
- Whether you want battery, solar or mains-powered motors
- How much natural light you want to filter
- Your preferred control method (app, sensor, remote or wall switch?)
- How automation fits into your wider smart-home plans
How can Burns for Blinds help you with indoor or outdoor blinds for your Adelaide property?
A Burns for Blinds specialist can walk you through fabrics, finishes, operation styles, and compatibility. We make sure that your new motorised shades fit your home perfectly. Have a read about our motorisation partners:
We've been in partnership with Somfy for over 10 years and for a very good reason: Somfy is a world leader in controls and motors for window furnishings. We are also in partnership with QMotion, Alpha Motors, and Oz Roll for reliable, cost-effective motorisation solutions for all properties, from commercial to residential and building in progress.
Looking for sunscreen blinds in Adelaide? From smart home automation using voice commands, Google Home, and smart devices, Burns for Blinds aims to support you with smart living.
Want Automated Blinds and Curtains in Adelaide? Talk to Us!
Motorised blinds are one of the easiest smart-home upgrades that instantly improve how you live. Smart shades are more than a luxury; they are a lifestyle upgrade. Why not install them before the summer sets in?
Book a free measure and quote with Burns for Blinds and discover how simple, stylish, and enjoyable home automation can be. A trusted name in the window furnishing industry since 1953, we were founded to offer high-quality, stylish window treatments. Operating out of four showrooms in South Australia, located at Norwood, Gepps Cross, Mount Barker, and Seacombe Gardens, we create beautiful and functional spaces with our extensive range of blinds, shutters, doors, and curtains.
We offer the best tips for buying blinds for renos and new builds, commercial, security, curtains, and a collection of interior blinds for Adelaide residents.
Contact us by calling (08) 8131 3333 for exceptional products and expert advice.
