4 interior designers told us what smart tech you should actually buy

Starting small, a smart plug is an easy and inconspicuous way to incorporate smart tech into a room. Kanika Bakshi Khurana, founder and principal designer of Kanika Design in the Bay Area, said that a smart plug like the Kasa Smart Plug is a simple upgrade that can "automate lamps or small appliances without changing anything about how the existing setup works, and are ideal for more subtle low-lift smart remodeling."

"I basically search for devices that improve the quality of life while remaining visually discreet," Khurana said. "The best smart home products shouldn't stand out -- they should melt into the design." 

Also: Why this $7 smart plug beats any other that I've tested in my home

As far as the Kasa Smart Plug goes, it's a cheap upgrade too, at just $17 for a two-pack. It'll work with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant devices, and you can create schedules, timers, and scenes for different times of day. 

Before you even enter your home, you can benefit from smart devices, especially when it comes to security. Devices like a smart lock make it easier to go keyless and give those you trust access to your home while making it harder for strangers to find a way in. 

Su Ozduran, an architectural designer at Country Floors, said this is her most useful upgrade recommendation. "[Keyless entry] is perfect for homes, rental properties, or service personnel who need remote access and the option of an activity log," she told ZDNET. 

Also: Everything you need for smart home security

One smart lock we recommend based on our own testing is the Yale Assure 2 lock. It features a touchscreen keypad that you can set up with different codes for everyone from your in-laws to your dog walker. The Yale Assure 2 can also be set up with auto-lock, so you have peace of mind that you didn't forget to lock the door. 

Whether you listen to music, binge TV shows, or are a movie buff, a good speaker is a must-have in any home. And for those who want the best immersive sound, Yoni Asulin, a home design and remodeling expert and owner of ASL Remodeling, recommends the Sonos Era 300. 

"I am always on the lookout for speakers that add to a room's sound without adding an eyesore. The Sonos Era 300 speakers feature spatial sound, which enables the speaker to project sounds in every direction in the room instead of from a single device," Asulin said. "They feature upward-firing drivers that reflect sound against the ceiling to create an illusion of elevation in the environment in a room, making them great for open-plan living spaces."

Review: The Sonos Era 300 is close to a perfect smart speaker

In addition, you can connect the Era 300 with other Sonos speakers like the Sonos Arc for the ultimate Dolby Atmos entertainment experience. 

You may not think about smart tech when you think of your shower, but Asulin said a digital control shower system like the Kohler Anthem redefines showering. 

"The shower control interface creates a digitized experience for the user, allowing you to set up to nine shower programs with temperature and pressure settings. You get the convenience of operating both a shower head and a spray wand simultaneously with a single touch," he said. 

The Kohler Anthem lets you set your daily morning showers to cold to wake you up better, and your nighttime showers to warm to wind down from the day. Another great feature is that you can even start your shower remotely via the Kohler app if you are ever in a hurry. 

The lighting in your home is arguably one of the most important aspects of design, since it can set the mood and tone, whether you are cooking, having a movie night in, or having a dim-lit dinner party. 

For smart lighting, Khurana said the best option by far is Philips Hue. 

"Philips Hue is one of my favorite lighting systems as it allows homeowners to change the brightness and color temperature by mood or time of day," she said. "Specifically for illuminating living areas where you want layered lighting but a clean, minimal look without all the bulky fixtures."

The Philips Hue brand has a reputation for creating reliable and easy-to-use smart lights, with up to 16 million different colors (including 50,000 shades of natural white light). To upgrade your lighting, you can get everything from a regular light bulb to under-cabinet lighting to recessed can lights and more. 

While you'll need a Philips Hue Hub to enjoy most of the smart perks and automations, one single hub can manage up to 50 Philips Hue bulbs, and is compatible with IFTTT, Alexa, HomeKit, SmartThings, and Google Assistant.

Lauren Lerner, founder and principal designer of Living with Lolo, lives and works in Scottsdale, AZ, so she knows about extreme heat. For smart climate control, her go-to device is the Google Nest thermostat. 

"It learns your schedule, is easy for clients to actually use, and the integration with other Nest products means you're building inside one ecosystem from the start," she said, adding, "In larger homes, pairing multiple units keeps every zone dialed in."

Google Nest, in particular, has a wide range of compatibility, even with homes that are old with outdated heating and cooling systems. An app lets you control the thermostat from anywhere in your home, and you can also receive alerts and notifications through it.