High-end tech integrators take note: the luxury home market may be sending a clear, if unexpected, message—less tech is more.
A recent eye-opening article in The Hollywood Reporter signals a subtle but growing revolt among the elite against the very technology that integrators have built their businesses around. Some of the wealthiest clients in glitzy Los Angeles are walking away from hyper-connected homes and embracing the “dumb home” as a new status symbol. The question is: Will that trend stay within the boundaries of California or migrate everywhere?
The article paints a vivid picture: L.A.'s celebrity elite are increasingly commissioning multi-million-dollar homes without any smart tech—no voice-activated lighting, no app-controlled HVAC, not even an automated toilet. Instead, these clients are gravitating toward homes with natural heating, old-school light switches, and a retreat from digital clutter.
According to one residential estate agent quoted in the article: “Buyers are seeking homes that offer self-sufficiency, resilience, and a retreat from tech-driven lifestyles.” The article claims the popularity of tech-less homes isn’t just aesthetic—it’s philosophical. In an age of digital saturation, simplicity is luxury.
A Beverly Hills-based interior designer cited in the article tells the story of a client who inherited a fully automated penthouse with a control system. The result? Chaos… the homeowners said they “couldn’t find a single light switch.” The client ended up spending more than $100,000 to rip out the intelligent, motion-activated lighting system and replace it with manual controls.
The client ended up spending more than $100,000 to rip out the intelligent, motion-activated lighting system and replace it with manual controls.
In another example, a dining table embedded with hydraulic lifts wouldn’t budge without a passcode. Elegant? Maybe. Frustrating? Definitely.
The kicker? Even highly paid tech executives themselves are opting out. The article details how a former CrowdStrike exec asked for a media room that included books, board games, and a Corvette-turned-pool table. Why? He wanted a place that his six kids would actually use—no screens required.
The Culprit: Over-Selling and Under-Using
So, how did we get to this point? Integrators may have to look in the mirror and ask themselves if they have over sold the dream of the fully connected lifestyle—loading homes with layers of automation that were too complex, too glitchy, or simply unused. Clients don’t just stop using these features, they remember the frustration. And in tight social circles, that perception spreads like wildfire. “Tech was a waste of money,” they say. And their friends listen.
Integrators, this is your wake-up call. Technology is not dead. But the days of impressing elite buyers with over-engineered digital wizardry may be. Simplicity, reliability, and wellness are the new luxury. Integrators who listen—really listen—to their clients’ needs and frustrations will earn trust and long-term business.
Don’t be the company they call to uninstall a $100,000 system. Be the partner who helps them enjoy their home—tech and all.
What to Do: Adapt or Be Left Behind
Integrators don’t need to abandon technology… they need to recalibrate their pitch and refine their value. As you are building your proposals in D-Tools Cloud or D-Tools System integrator, think about:
- Prioritize Usability Over Complexity — Avoid layering in flashy systems that require manuals. Ensure every system—be it lighting, AV, or shades—has a fallback manual control and intuitive interface.
- Reframe “Smart” as “Simple” — Instead of overwhelming clients with tech, offer systems that blend invisibly into the home and daily life. A rock-solid, enterprise-grade wireless network is still a must-have, but it doesn’t need to be over-branded.
- Lean Into Wellness — Many affluent clients are leaning toward wellness-focused lifestyles. Leverage this with solutions like circadian lighting, air quality sensors, and natural soundscapes—technologies that support peace of mind rather than disrupt it.
- Offer a “Less Is More” Tier — Create service packages that focus on essential functionality: fast, reliable Wi-Fi, high-quality (but limited) music zones, a basic media room, and discreet security. Make simplicity the feature.
- Educate, Don’t Just Install — Spend more time understanding your client’s lifestyle and tech tolerance. If a client rarely uses their TV remote, they’re not a candidate for a 10-zone touchpanel system.
