Flying cars. Personal jet packs. Solar-powered robots. Is this the Christmas Wish List of the Future? For decades we’ve been predicting a life with these conveniences, yet we’re still driving on highways, dealing with canceled flights, and stocking up on batteries and chargers for electronics and toys. We do, however, have access to at least one invention that would make the Jetsons proud – motorized shades.

There was a time when motorized shades were seen as a feature strictly for the rich and famous. Fortunately, technology has come a long way; the latest models are sleek, accessible and beneficial in almost every home, no matter who you are or where you live. If you love the idea of motorized shades, but aren’t sure they’re worthwhile, this article will help you take a step toward the future.

Security and Protection

While motorized shades offer many benefits, we’ll cover the most important one first: the safety of your house and everything in it. Over time, excessive sunlight can damage the interior of your home, breaking down your hardwood floors, fabrics and furnishings. With the push of a button or a preset timer, you can easily limit the effects of damaging UV rays. Preset timers offer another important benefit – they discourage burglars while you’re away. Simply set them to open and close at certain times for a “lived in” look, and you’ll be able to travel worry-free.

Convenience

Too many of our daily activities are routine, tedious and dull, taking up more time than we’d like to admit. Remove the chore of opening, closing and constantly adjusting window treatments from your to-do list. Motorized shades make it easy to complete this task, leaving you more time to spend on the things that matter. Plus, with the current trend toward natural light, amazing views and large windows, you won’t have to worry about fiddling with hard-to-reach window treatments or heavy drapes. One push of a button, and the job is done!

Energy Conservation

Excessive sunlight and UV rays won’t only damage your precious belongings; they’ll also increase the temperature in your home. During the summer months, especially in Wilmington, N.C., this can cause a strain on your AC unit and raise your heating bill significantly. Thanks to the preset timers and sun sensors of motorized shades, you can make sure your shades are lowered during the hottest, brightest part of the day – even when you’re at work.

Safe and Beautiful

Some of the most beautiful things in life, like a stunning sunset or a sudden thunderstorm, are short-lived. The ease of opening motorized shades makes catching these magical moments easier than ever. Of course, while beautiful views are nice, looks aren’t everything. That’s why we love the fact that motorized shades are cord-free, making them an excellent choice for homes with small children and pets.

They’re Just Plain Cool

Yes, motorized shades have a lot of benefits. From safety features to security measures to energy savings, there are many practical reasons to install them in your home today. But we couldn’t forgive ourselves if we left out one of the best perks of motorized shades – they’re really, really cool. We may not have flying cars, and personal jetpacks are still a long way off, but when you walk into your living room, push a button, and watch as every shade in the room rolls open at once, you’ll feel a little bit like you’re living in the future. It’s a feeling that can’t be beat.

If we’ve convinced you that the future has arrived, visit Strickland’s Window Coverings. We can’t promise you a robotic maid like Rosie, but we can guarantee you’ll love our motorized shades!

Fred Kumpel is the owner of Strickland’s Window Coverings and Carolina Closet Company. Fred has over 30 years of experience in the industry. Strickland’s Window Coverings is a window treatment design center specializing in custom blinds, shades, shutters and fabric treatments for over 70 years. Carolina Closet Company provides professionally designed and custom built organization solutions. Its complete line of home organization solutions includes unique solutions to organize closets, pantries, garages, basements, laundry rooms as well as Murphy Beds. To learn more about our company, visit www.stricklandswindowcoverings.com and www.closetsbythesea.com. Fred can be reached at [email protected] or call 910.762.0944.