You probably know that automated shades are a hot commodity right now. In fact, according to a March 2024 study from Future Market Insights (FMI), the global blinds and shades market is expected to reach $26.78 billion by 2034 (up from $16.26 million in 2024). And automated shades are playing a substantial role in this growth.

But how do dealers take advantage of this? When you think about the ideal target market for selling the latest, most technologically advanced smart devices, you might focus on Gen Xers and Millennials. You might think young people who cut their teeth on connected technology would be your best customer for buying connected devices like automated window shades.

But if dealers focus too narrowly on these younger generations, they may be missing out on opportunities for growing their business.

The target market that dealers should be focusing at least some of their energy and resources toward is, or course, of baby boomers. Born between the end of World War II and 1964, when the economy was flourishing and births were on the rise, baby boomers can play a sizable role in growing your automated shade business and revenues.

This article offers six reasons why dealers of these smart products would be smart to keep the baby boomers front of mind.

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1. Getting Comfortable with the Right Automated Shades Technology

Many baby boomers have reached a point in their lives when enjoying creature comforts in the home has become a top priority. They may have even moved into a new home, perhaps downsizing the footprint but increasing the presence of stress-reducing, comfort-enhancing devices in their living space.

Light-blocking and light-filtering automated shades can put lighting, temperature, and privacy control at the homeowner’s fingertips, especially if the shades can be controlled through voice control or using an app via a mobile phone or tablet.

Automated shades can also go a long way toward making the lighting and temperature in a home more comfortable. Homeowners can control automated shades to take advantage of the warmth of the sun during colder days and keep rooms cool by lowering the shades during the heat of summer.

If desired, automated shades can be pre-programmed to open and close at set times (which can change according to the season).

Baby boomers can rest easier with automated shades featuring blackout fabric in their bedroom. These shades will keep all unwanted light out of a bedroom during the desired sleeping time. They can then be programmed to raise at a set time in the morning, providing a gentle but effective wake-up prompt.

2. Prioritizing Spending Time Away… over Simply Spending

Most baby boomers would rather spend their hard-earned money on fun things like vacations, instead of things like high energy bills. That’s one reason why they appreciate the energy efficiency of automated shades.

By scheduling the shades to stay open more frequently in the winter, homeowners can use less heat and switch off lights and lamps. Homeowners can also automatically schedule their shades to close in the summer, naturally cooling the interior space.

Because the automated shades can be programmed to be open or closed at certain times of the year or day, users can optimize energy management, slash monthly utility bills by up to 30%, and reduce their environmental footprint.

3. Mobility Isn’t Always What It Used to Be

For some baby boomers, the convenience of automated shade control may just be a necessity.

For people who are elderly, disabled, or have chronic pain or illness, automated shades as part of a complete smart-home ecosystem, can help them to live independently and age in place.

4. Security Is a Warm Blanket – and an Automated Shade.

Many boomers, especially those who live alone, put a high value on security. They may have invested in effective security products like the latest alarms, smart locks, and outdoor lighting, but may not have considered automated shades as part of an overall security solution. They should.

With automated shades, homeowners can schedule the shades to be down when they’re not home, through integration with any of a variety of smart hubs or home control systems. They can also be activated by smart thermostats, smoke alarms, and other devices that receive triggers when the house is empty. The shades can receive those triggers and automatically lower the shades so no one can see inside.

Smart shades can also be programmed to lower automatically when it gets dark outside, enhancing privacy and security. They can be put into vacation mode, which will create random patterns of opening and closing, making it difficult for potential housebreakers to detect a routine.

5. Seeing the Big, Connected Picture

Boomers may not all be technology savants, but they are increasingly using connected smart devices to improve the quality of their lives and bring greater comfort and control to their everyday living.

Automated shades can be a perfect fit for an existing smart home system, integrating with other devices like smart lighting, locks, thermostats, and more.

In a connected home, users can set up customized scenes complete scenarios incorporating many of these devices. For example, upon arriving home and unlocking a smart lock, they can set up a scene where indoor lights turn on, temperature reaches a desired, comfortable level, and shades rise to let in the daylight or lower to allow maximum privacy.

6. Automated Shades Help Sell the Resale Value

Many baby boomers are interested in not only making their home as comfortable and secure as possible, but also in securing and increasing the value of their property.

Automated shades not only have tremendous aesthetic value with their clean, modern aesthetics, but they can also serve to protect a home’s furnishings and carpeting from potentially damaging fade caused by constant sunlight.

With the installation of automated shades, baby boomers can enjoy all the convenience-enhancing benefits today while potentially increasing the resale value of their homes down the road.

Baby boomers may have an appreciation for bygone days and simpler times. But that doesn’t mean that they aren’t an ideal target market for some of the most advanced smart home devices, including automated shades.

Before dealers draw the curtain on a great opportunity, they should consider all the reasons to focus their attention on this technologically engaged demographic.

Jason Turner is the founder and CEO of PowerShades, a designer and manufacturer of manual and motorized shades.

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