Lighting technology continues to gain momentum within the custom integration industry, and at CEDIA Expo 2025, Bob Schuppe of Resolute Design Group said the category has become one of the most important trends shaping residential projects.
Speaking during an “Inside Buzz” interview at CEDIA Expo, Schuppe described lighting as the industry’s “next frontier,” pointing to advances in tunable LED technology, smaller aperture fixtures and evolving architectural preferences as key drivers behind the category’s growth. He noted that the industry is moving beyond basic functional lighting and toward systems designed to improve aesthetics, comfort and the overall experience within the home.
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According to Schuppe, architects and builders are increasingly embracing newer lighting technologies that minimize the visual impact of fixtures throughout the home. He explained that traditional recessed cans are gradually giving way to smaller, lower-profile lighting solutions and modular LED systems that offer greater flexibility in both design and performance.
Schuppe also discussed the growing role integrators play in helping clients navigate increasingly complex technology decisions involving lighting, AV, networking and automation. He described integrators as technology advocates responsible for bringing together solutions from multiple trades and tailoring them to the homeowner’s specific needs and preferences.
The conversation also touched on the broader trend of making technology less visually intrusive inside luxury homes. Schuppe pointed to the rise of small-aperture and invisible speakers as another example of how manufacturers are prioritizing design-conscious technology that blends into the architecture rather than standing out from it.
Beyond product trends, Schuppe emphasized the ongoing importance of CEDIA Expo as a place for integrators to evaluate emerging technologies, exchange feedback with manufacturers and stay informed about the direction of the industry.
