The kitchen has become one of the most multifaceted areas of the home. You cook in them, entertain in them, relax in them, and yes, you’ve got to clean them.

As a result, it’s one of the first places you should consider integrating electronic systems.

These add-ons needed be expensive. You can start with something as simple as a motion sensor that activates the lights in the pantry automatically when you open the door, or put in a more sophisticated system that can stream music to speakers in the kitchen … and elsewhere. Go for lighting control, home control, even large touchpanels that double as TV screens.

Click here to see our slideshow of 10 ideas to pick out a few of your favorites, then present them to your custom electronics professional.

Lisa Montgomery - Contributing Writer

Lisa Montgomery has been writing about home technology for 15 years, with a focus on the impact of electronics on a modern lifestyle.