However, with the right combination of form and function, even the sleepiest room in the house could benefit from a little tech. Don’t believe me? Think about the guy who knows more about tech and bedrooms than any of us.

Bond. James Bond.

First, lighting. Remember the awful “clapper?” Clap to turn it on, clap to turn it off? Great idea, poor execution. You end up clapping like someone who belongs on a short bus, and waking up the person next to you. But you also don’t want to fuss with dangling pulls or those annoying little plastic knobs in the middle of the night when she hears a noise. The simple, quiet choice is a touch-activated lamp. You’ve probably seen them, right next to the traditional lamps – if you’ve ever looked at lamps.  Tap it anywhere on the base, the light comes on. Tap it again, it goes off. Even better? Your local hardware store sells a little attachment you put between the bulb and the lamp that makes this feature work with ANY lamp.

Speaking of lighting, how sick are you of slamming into the wall or tripping over a shoe on the way to the bathroom? Here’s a simple, techie solution – motion-sensitive night lights. Plug one into an outlet between the bed and the head, and you’re good to go.

Though I’ve only ever known one person who had them, you can also go for the totally cool automatic window shades. The ladies see those, and you’re well on your way to a James Bond evening.

Next up, the TV. Once you’ve won the battle to put one in the bedroom, follow these two simple rules: make it small, make it HD. You’ve already got the big TV somewhere else in your place, right? Consider it your compromise. Make it one that can easily be closed away in an armoire, or, if it’s out in the open, at least make sure it complements the décor. HD is a given. You wouldn’t go out today and buy a horse and buggy, would ya? You’ll get bonus points if it’s multifunction – you know, built-in DVD, etc. – less wires and remotes to deal with.

I’m just going to stop now and say that while it indeed plugs in and is powered by electronics, I will not endorse a Craftmatic bed, even though it does provide optimal TV-viewing positions. The much larger downside is that you’ll feel like you’re in a hospital, and no one wants that at home. The only power anything your bed needs is what you and your partner bring to it.

Don’t like harsh alarm clocks? You’ve gotta check out the “Peaceful Progression Alarm Clock” from Hamburger Studebaker, Hammocker Slammacher, or however you pronounce that catalog you only see in SkyMall. It uses gradually increasing ambient light, spa sounds, and even aroma to wake you up, instead of some annoying morning crew or the God-awful BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! It’s the difference between a drill sergeant calling you a puke at 5AM and your Mom kissing your forehead as she tells you the bacon and pancakes are ready.

Now that, my friends, is sweet. And less than 50 bucks. Can you say “no brainer?”

Quick sidebar. Ever grab your iPod to go for your morning run, only for it to be completely dead? No one should have to work out without their daily fix of James Brown, so I offer up some nightstand solutions that charge your iPod and give you a cool alarm clock. Personally, I prefer the JBL Time Machine (Hello! It’s JBL!) since no Better Guy would be caught dead paying $700 for a Bang and Olufsen model. Dude, it’s an alarm clock. Go buy a nice watch or a suit with the money you have left.

Well, besides some freaky-deaky stuff that a gentleman such as myself wouldn’t discuss in a public forum, that’s my take on tech for the bedroom.