This study investigated the impact of proximity and interaction mode on user perceptions in smart homes. A within-subjects experimental design was employed, simulating scenarios of human interaction with smart home devices in three interaction modes, namely physical buttons, graphical user interfaces and voice interaction. User perception was measured in perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, satisfaction, and behavioral intentions to use. A total of 100 participants were recruited in the experiment. The results indicated proximity and interaction mode had significant effects on user perceptions. Voice interaction was favored over GUIs and physical buttons in a distant usage scenario in terms of perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, satisfaction, and behavioral intention. When people interact with smart home devices in a close usage scenario, no significant difference in satisfaction and behavioral intention was observed between voice interaction and GUIs. The study provides empirical evidence on the importance of proximity in the interaction with smart home devices and practical implication for the information presentation design in smart homes.