Smart Home Upgrades – Cookham

Smart Home Upgrades in a Fully Finished Property, Cookham – No Mess, No Disruption

When this client purchased their new home, they contacted us before moving in to understand what improvements could be made to WiFi connectivity, lighting control, and audio – without disturbing a fully decorated and furnished property.

Like many homeowners in this position, they wanted the house to work better, but without building work, chasing walls, or visible disruption. The focus was on practical upgrades that would improve everyday living from day one.

Fixing WiFi Properly – Not Just Adding More Equipment

The property already had a good starting point. The previous owner had installed wired data points throughout the home, including TV locations, cupboards, and low-level sockets. However, while a UniFi WiFi 5 system was in place, it hadn’t been deployed correctly.

As a result, the home suffered from dead spots, inconsistent speeds, and unreliable coverage, particularly challenging in a property that is both long and tall.

Rather than starting again, we built on the existing infrastructure.

We upgraded the access points to UniFi WiFi 6 models and installed additional access points in key locations, ensuring full 5GHz coverage throughout the property. This approach delivers faster speeds, better device handling, and far more consistent performance.

To complete the network, we installed a UniFi router and PoE switch, allowing us to properly manage and monitor the system remotely. This ensures the network remains reliable as the client adds more devices and services over time.

The result is a WiFi system that feels invisible – strong, stable, and consistent everywhere in the home.

Smart Lighting Without Rewiring or Redecoration

Lighting was another key area for improvement. The property originally used standard traditional light switches, offering no automation, scheduling, or flexibility.

Because the house was already fully finished, a no-mess solution was essential.

We installed a Control4 retrofit lighting system across the ground floor, external lighting, and key upstairs areas including the master bedroom and landings. This approach allowed us to transform how lighting works in the home without altering wiring or décor.

The new system is designed around the client’s routine:

* Lights that follow daily schedules

* Exterior lighting that operates automatically

* Simple, consistent control across the home

Beyond convenience, this also improves energy efficiency, ensuring lights are only used when and where they’re needed.

Most importantly, the system feels natural to use – lighting that works around the client, not the other way around.

Multi-Room Audio That Fits Modern Living

To complete the upgrades, we installed Sonos audio in several rooms, focusing on soundbars for everyday TV viewing and a full 5.1 system to create a more cinematic experience where required.

Sonos was chosen for its ease of use and sound quality, as well as its seamless integration with iOS devices and AirPlay 2. The client can enjoy high-resolution music throughout the home, group rooms together, or simply enhance the sound of the TV they’re watching.

This delivers both multi-room audio and improved television sound, without clutter or complicated control.

To extend the audio experience beyond the house, we also installed a Sonance Landscape Series 8.1 system, powered by a Sonos amplifier, in the rear garden. The speakers and subwoofer are carefully hidden within planters and along the garden edges, allowing music to be enjoyed evenly across the space without visible hardware.

This approach delivers rich, balanced sound while preserving the clean look of the garden. Integrated into the wider Sonos system, the client can easily include the garden as part of their multi-room audio setup or enjoy it independently, perfect for entertaining or relaxing outdoors, all controlled from the same familiar app.

A Thoughtful Upgrade for a New Homeowner

This project is a great example of how a home doesn’t need to be stripped back or rebuilt to benefit from smart technology. By carefully assessing what was already in place, we were able to upgrade the network, lighting, and audio in a way that was clean, efficient, and future-proof.

For homeowners who’ve recently purchased a property and want better connectivity, smarter lighting, and simple audio – without mess – this approach delivers real, everyday improvements from the moment they move in.

Pro Media continues to deliver premium home technology solutions across Berkshire and beyond — specialising in Control4 installations, home cinema design, smart lighting control, and whole-home automation systems.

If you have a similar project you would like to discuss with us, please call us on 0345 505 1760 or choose the link below for other contact options: