Welcome! What's On Your Mind?

The Benefits of Upgrading to Lutron HomeWorks 

When you moved into your Twin Cities home, was it already equipped with a lighting control system? Or did you have a Lutron lighting system installed years—or even decades—ago? 

If you’re still using a legacy Lutron system like Lutron Interactive, LiteTouch, or Illuminations, you may have noticed poor performance after switching to LED bulbs. Maybe certain fixtures are no longer working, or you’re experiencing flickering lights, erratic dimming, and unreliable behavior. 

Why does this happen to older lighting systems? And how can you fix it? Here’s how (and why) we upgrade Lutron lighting systems for our clients in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. 

Customize Your Home Environment With Elegant Lighting Solutions

Walk into your home, and what do you see? Is your home perfectly illuminated with artificial lighting that’s balanced with natural light from the outside? With the tap of a button, it could be. Lutron HomeWorks QS offers precise lighting adjustments, allowing homeowners in Minnetonka, MN, to create elegant, luxurious environments that adapt to their unique lifestyles and preferences. Whether you're hosting a dinner party, unwinding after a long day, or just getting up in the morning, Lutron’s HomeWorks QS system helps you shape your home’s ambiance to match the needs of the moment.

Continue reading for tips on leveraging this powerful lighting system to enhance your living spaces.

Bringing Natural Light into Your Home as Fall Turns to Winter

As summer turns to fall and the days grow shorter, our bodies attempt to adjust to the decreasing daylight. While the exact amount of daylight you lose depends on where you live, it’s astonishing to realize that from the first day of fall to the end of the year, many in Minnesota will experience over three hours of diminishing light. 

So, what does this reduced light do to our bodies? For many of us, decreasing sunlight disrupts the internal time clock known as the circadian rhythm. For those who are susceptible in St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN, lack of adequate sunshine can lead to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression associated with chemical changes occurring in the brain due to less daylight. 

Here, we’ll explore the circadian rhythm, how the body responds when it’s disrupted, and the lighting technology that can bring your body back into balance as the seasons change.

Enhancing Your Home's Natural Light and Beauty

Today, more homeowners and interior designers than ever before are embracing the power of natural light. As the main source of ambient lighting, it brings immense beauty, warmth, and illumination. In the process, it reduces energy consumption and enhances your sense of well-being. It's a potent element that deserves a special place in our homes. 

Yet, it comes with a cost. As the sun arcs across the sky, harsh UV rays enter our homes, damaging the interior. In response, we close our shades and there they remain, blocking the many benefits natural light brings. 

The answer is motorized shades. These automated masterpieces adjust throughout the day, protecting your home while letting in the gift of natural light. If you're wondering how roller shades will blend in with your home's design, you'll be pleasantly surprised to learn these window coverings come in vast styles, colors, and materials.

At Innovative Control Systems, we partner with Lutron, the global leader in motorized shades and lighting control, to bring our clients the greatest selection and enhanced functionality. Let's explore what these window coverings offer your home in Minnetonka, MN.

Enhance Your Home’s Aesthetics While Reducing Energy Consumption

In the late 1950s, lighting control was complicated and expensive, with few homes having the power to control the intensity of their lighting. Then, in 1959, Joel Spira, a physicist, invented the first solid-state dimmer that could replace the light switch. 

These dimmers not only enhanced the home environment but also saved energy. Realizing the future of lighting control and its long-term appeal, Joel and Ruth Spira incorporated Lutron Electronics in 1961, changing how we light our homes forever. 

Let’s explore today’s Lutron dimmer and how it’s transforming lighting control in homes throughout Minnetonka, MN.

Imagine a Home That Creates the Ideal Illumination Effortlessly

Lighting has a powerful effect on the human body and emotions. Soft, warm hues signal to the body it's time for rest. Bright, blue tones make it easier to concentrate with focused attention. When the sun's natural light enters a home, it brings warmth, renewed energy, and immense beauty.

Light, at its very essence, changes the world.

Yet, because of its ubiquitous existence, we've come to take it for granted. We flip a light switch, and a room illuminates. Today, however, home lighting control offers so much more. 

It readies your Minnesota home in the morning, turning on the perfect lights at just the right hue and intensity before you wake. When you return from work, your home greets you as soon as you pull into the driveway, setting the tone for the evening with warm landscape and interior lights. When you go to bed, you press a ‘Good Night’ button, and every light throughout your home dims to darkness. 

Are you ready to experience the incredible world of automated lighting and how it's transforming homes in the greater Twin Cities region? Let's view a day through the eyes of smart lighting.

The Smart Lighting Solution That Follows the Sun 

Have you ever noticed how lighting affects your emotions? Flashing lights can make your heart race, warm lights create a cozy ambiance, and bright lights can make you feel either energized or exposed. Parties are often more enjoyable with dimmed lights, while a dark restaurant during the day can feel unnatural.

It’s clear light can influence our emotions, but have you considered how the lighting in your home might be subtly shaping your mental state? This is the idea behind human-centric lighting, a cutting-edge trend in smart technology that brings the benefits of natural light into your home. 

Read on to discover how human-centric works and how lighting control solutions like Lutron can enhance your daily life in the Twin Cities area. 

A Smart Guide to Lighting Control Systems 

You’ve always used regular light bulbs and on/off switches—why change now? 

Well, you may be surprised by the life-altering benefits smart lighting can provide. A complete lighting control system like Lutron is sophisticated enough to control every light fixture and motorized shade in your house. 

Discover the possibilities and learn how smart lighting control will work in your Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, home. 

Illuminate the Possibilities of Upgraded Lighting & Shading Control

It’s time to prioritize functionality that blends aesthetically into your living spaces. Multi-gang light switches are an eyesore, slow-paced device responses cause frustration, and manual window treatments take too much time to adjust. These are just a few outdated features you may have throughout your home in the Twin Cities.

Outdated lighting and shading systems can detract from the comfort and value of your high-end home, so it’s time to assess your current technology systems to see if it’s time for an upgrade. 

Below, we review a few signs that your existing lighting control system is due for an upgrade, then explain the benefits you can enjoy from an upgrade to a Lutron lighting system. Want to learn more? Keep reading!

SEE ALSO: More About the Technologies Available from Innovative Control Systems 

Tell-Tale Signs Your Lighting and Shading System Is Outdated

Discolored or Yellow Wall Plates 

One of the most visible signs of an aging lighting configuration is the discoloration of wall plates. Many start out sleek and white, but these components can turn yellow or fade over time, indicating potential material fatigue that could affect functionality.

How an Expert Lighting Design Adds Value to Your Property

Harness the transformative power of lighting in your home. Proper lighting design elevates aesthetics, mood, and functionality, making your space an optimal place to live. In this blog, we explore the benefits of lighting design, its impact on your home's luxury and comfort, and why early collaboration with a lighting designer is crucial for achieving optimal results.

Imagine lighting that enhances every corner of your home, highlighting your favorite artwork and setting the mood for every occasion. From the cozy ambiance of a dimly lit dining room to your home office's vibrant light, the right design is key to enhancing your living space in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area. 

The Benefits of Lighting Design

Well-designed lighting supports our circadian rhythms, which are vital for maintaining health, enhancing mood, and boosting productivity. It mimics natural light patterns, promoting better sleep at night and alertness during the day, thus improving overall well-being​. 

Moreover, lighting designers are pivotal in creating beautiful and functional spaces. Through their expertise, they highlight architectural features and make spaces more usable. This balance of form and function results in spaces tailored to the activities within them, whether it's reading in a cozy nook or preparing meals in a well-lit kitchen. 

Finally, a home's overall quality is profoundly influenced by lighting. Good lighting design evokes specific moods and feelings, transforming a room into a tranquil retreat or a vibrant gathering place. This makes lighting not just a component of interior design but a catalyst for curated experiences. 

Enhance Your Luxury Lifestyle with Smart Lighting & Control

Integrating technology solutions adds functionality to living spaces, but it does so much more than that. Lutron HomeWorks QS stands out as the top-in-class lighting control system for its reliability and sophistication, and that’s why it works so well in our clients’ homes throughout the Twin Cities. 

Keep reading to learn more about this exciting game-changer in lighting control technology! 

SEE ALSO: Follow Us on Facebook!

The Prestige of Lutron HomeWorks QS in Luxury Homes

The top echelon of Lutron’s lighting control offerings is much more than a smart lighting system. It is a comprehensive solution combining the best technology, design, and customization. 

How Natural Daylight Spectrums Improve Your Well-Being 

There’s a problem with the way we’ve been illuminating our homes. When you buy a light bulb at the store, you’re stuck with one shade of light all day. But everyone knows certain color temperatures don’t work for all times of day. In the morning, lights should shine bright and cool, like a sunrise. And at night, lights should appear warm and dim, like a cozy candlelight or campfire. 

It’s not just for aesthetic purposes. Lighting is proven to influence our circadian rhythms, the internal clock that regulates our energy levels and metabolism. So, if your home’s lighting is off-balance, you could be disrupting your mood, sleep, and productivity. 

Smart LED light fixtures are changing this. These intelligent bulbs and lighting products allow you to change their color and brightness instantly. Premium smart LEDs from brands like Ketra by Lutron offer millions of color possibilities, and Lutron control systems allow you to schedule lights to activate and adjust automatically. 

If you’re wondering if smart LED lights are really worth it for your Minnetonka, MN, home, let’s explore the importance of lighting for our well-being and the science behind it. 

‍SEE ALSO: Explore Our Smart Home Control & Lighting Solutions in Minnesota 

Enjoy Greater Comfort and Energy Efficiency in Your Home  

Smart home technology should be about making life easier and your space more enjoyable. That's why we love motorized shades and partner with Lutron for our shading installations. They've turned controlling natural light into a seamless experience. In this blog, we're diving into why installing these shades is smart for any homeowner. From saving on energy bills to making your rooms look more stylish, we've got the lowdown on why Lutron's solutions are worth considering in your Minneapolis, MN, home. 

Embrace Greater Energy Efficiency

By optimizing natural light, Lutron’s motorized shades reduce your need for artificial lighting during the day. And you don’t need to go out of your way to tug on chords every morning—your shades gently open on their own. 

Plus, Lutron’s honeycomb shades add pockets of insulation to your windows, keeping warmth in during winter and blocking out heat in summer. This means your HVAC system doesn’t have to work overtime, saving you money and making your home more energy-efficient. It's a win-win: your home stays comfortable, your energy bills go down, and you do your bit for the planet.

Integration with Smart Home Systems

Lutron shades are a breeze to integrate with your existing smart home setup for extra functionality. Imagine setting your shades to adjust automatically with the day's light or scheduling them to help you wake up in the morning—all without lifting a finger. Plus, with the ability to craft custom scenes that tie in other smart devices, you can prep your room for movie night, dinner parties, or a relaxing evening with just a tap. It's all about making your home work smarter, not harder. 

Don't Sacrifice on the Aesthetics 

Lutron's offerings, including drapes, blinds, sun shades, and honeycomb shades, come in various styles, materials, and colors to match any decor. Beyond the wide selection, Lutron takes personalization a step further by offering color-matching services and allowing clients to use their own fabrics. This level of customization ensures that your window treatments not only meet your functional needs but also blend perfectly with your interior design, reflecting your style and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your home. 

Your Introduction to Lutron Home Lighting Control

Lighting plays a crucial role in creating the perfect ambiance in your Minneapolis home. Whether you want to relax in a cozy setting or host a vibrant gathering, having control over your home's lighting is essential. And when you’re already tucked in bed but accidentally left the light on? Imagine turning it off with a tap on your phone! 

That's where Lutron lighting control comes in. Lutron’s home lighting control systems offer complete customization over your lighting and shading, giving you the power to create the perfect atmosphere for any occasion.

How does Lutron work? Read on to find out. 

SEE ALSO: Meet Innovative Controls, Minneapolis’ Expert Lutron Installer 

Types of Lutron Lighting Control Systems

Lutron offers a range of lighting control systems to suit different needs and preferences. The first type is the RadioRA 2 system, which provides wireless control of your lights. This system is ideal for retrofitting existing homes as it doesn't require any additional wiring. With RadioRA 2, you can control your lights from a convenient keypad or through a mobile app, giving you complete flexibility.