For years here at Zeus Integrated we have been installing custom motorized shade solutions for our clients. Motorized shades are a great way to add privacy to your home as you smarten it up.

But for years smart shades have been limited to the wealthy. A smart shade setup can cost many tens of thousands of dollars.

IKEA has seen this as an opportunity to tap into a new market: smart home tech.

In April 2019 IKEA is rolling out with a new smart blind called Fyrtur. Fyrtur is a smart blind that also doubles as a blackout blind thanks to the durable blackout fabric it is constructed out of.

The blinds are wireless and battery-powered, and can be operated simply with a remote control and IKEA's new smart home wifi hub.

Should you buy IKEA blinds?

IKEA has a long established history of being a cheap, DIY option to get unique furniture. Delivering upon that reputation is part of the reason IKEA is the largest home furnishing retailer in the world.

Their reputation, and success, is predicated upon making home furnishings affordable and accessible to lower income households through their DIY options, flat packing, and scale of manufacturing. While these may be perceived as features for some, they're bugs for others.

Many home owners -- especially our clients -- do not want DIY, flat pack, or cheap furnishings in their house. Our clients want high-quality, high-end, custom solutions that fit their unique home and lifestyle.

IKEA just doesn't cut it.

While the Fyrtur blinds will make smart blinds accessible to the average homeowner, they will not be custom, high-quality, nor high-end. If you value high-end, quality, and custom, these IKEA blinds aren't for you.

If, on the otherhand, you are just trying to dip your toe in the water and test out smart home tech for yourself, this could be a good way to get started. 

Image provided courtesy of IKEA.