Design pros, this is your playbook for integrating technology into the experience and the business of interior design. Katye McGregor Bennett explains why the integrator, your behind-the-walls systems partner, belongs at the table before drywall. That early involvement lets lighting, audio, networking, and security serve the design vision, and it keeps you out of tech support. Pair with a proper service plan and remote monitoring, and the integrator handles issues while you lead the relationship.

Start every project with the network, the home’s digital foundation, then layer categories like motorized shades and high-performance displays. A solid network reduces glitches, supports heavy use when the household is active, and future-proofs for growth. Watch power quality too; a stressed grid can cause flicker and crashes, and an integrator can diagnose and stabilize.

Lean on the Home Technology Association’s Integrator Finder, assessment form, and budget calculator to vet partners and start transparent, experience-focused conversations with clients. Test tech at home or in your studio to build language and confidence, then position it as part of wellness, aging in place, and daily joy.

Bottom line, curate two to four trusted integrators, align on aesthetics and communication, scope realistically with HTA tools, and let tech elevate the client’s lifestyle and your margins.