Smarter Spaces: 4 High-Tech Solutions for the Bathroom
Digital shower controls, smart mirrors, high-tech toilets and innovative tapware can add efficiency and convenience
Kayla Matthews
16 April 2018
Houzz Contributor, app junkie and self-improvement enthusiast. I also write for Curbed, Inman, VentureBeat and VICE. You can read more posts from me on my blog, ProductivityBytes.com.
Houzz Contributor, app junkie and self-improvement enthusiast. I also write for Curbed,... More
As more people become willing to invest in bathroom features outfitted with technology, more options are coming on the market, from self-flushing toilets to digitally controlled showers.
Such high-tech devices are not in widespread use yet – and many are not yet available in Australia – but according to the 2017 US Houzz Bathroom Trends Study, demand for them increased where they are available from 19 per cent in 2016 to 26 per cent in 2017. Whether you’re ready to invest in high-tech bathroom features or are just interested in knowing what’s on the market, here are four pieces of bathroom tech to consider.
Such high-tech devices are not in widespread use yet – and many are not yet available in Australia – but according to the 2017 US Houzz Bathroom Trends Study, demand for them increased where they are available from 19 per cent in 2016 to 26 per cent in 2017. Whether you’re ready to invest in high-tech bathroom features or are just interested in knowing what’s on the market, here are four pieces of bathroom tech to consider.
1. Digital shower controls
Most of us turn a handle to activate the stream of water before stepping into the shower. Now smart systems such as the Us product U by Moen allow you to control your shower from your phone, with your voice or from a control panel.
From your phone, you can also turn the shower on and off, and pause it if needed. Beyond controlling the shower system, you can set up showering preferences, such as shower temperature, within the smartphone app.
Most of us turn a handle to activate the stream of water before stepping into the shower. Now smart systems such as the Us product U by Moen allow you to control your shower from your phone, with your voice or from a control panel.
From your phone, you can also turn the shower on and off, and pause it if needed. Beyond controlling the shower system, you can set up showering preferences, such as shower temperature, within the smartphone app.
Once you have created personalised presets in the U by Moen app, you can pick which shower command you want to start with a tap or with your voice, says Michael Poloha, senior product manager at Moen.
You are able to control the shower with your voice because the smart shower system works with Amazon’s Alexa-enabled devices. You can speak to Alexa to turn on the shower and give it specific instructions.
Poloha says commands include: “Alexa, tell Moen to start preset ‘Morning Shower,’” “Alexa, tell Moen to turn on to 39 degrees” and “Alexa, tell Moen to turn off my shower.”
You are able to control the shower with your voice because the smart shower system works with Amazon’s Alexa-enabled devices. You can speak to Alexa to turn on the shower and give it specific instructions.
Poloha says commands include: “Alexa, tell Moen to start preset ‘Morning Shower,’” “Alexa, tell Moen to turn on to 39 degrees” and “Alexa, tell Moen to turn off my shower.”
You can also control the shower by pressing the buttons on the control panel, which are available to control two or four water outlets.
A smart showering system isn’t a necessity, but for those interested in smart home tech, it could be something to add onto your smart home features.
“Moen wants homeowners to have the ability to integrate their shower into their smart home ecosystem, and enjoy the convenience of a connected lifestyle,” says Poloha.
Poloha also points out that such tech could have eco-friendly benefits. “With its warm-up and pause feature, users can save water by having the shower warm up to the desired temperature and pause, holding the setting, until you’re ready to get in,” he says. “The shower system also allows users to set timers for the length of the shower, which will keep you on schedule and help control water usage.”
U isn’t the only smart shower system on the market. If you’re in the market for a smart showering system, do your research and talk to your design professional to see what system might work in your home, and what’s available in your area.
5 Smart-Home Ideas Worth Adopting
A smart showering system isn’t a necessity, but for those interested in smart home tech, it could be something to add onto your smart home features.
“Moen wants homeowners to have the ability to integrate their shower into their smart home ecosystem, and enjoy the convenience of a connected lifestyle,” says Poloha.
Poloha also points out that such tech could have eco-friendly benefits. “With its warm-up and pause feature, users can save water by having the shower warm up to the desired temperature and pause, holding the setting, until you’re ready to get in,” he says. “The shower system also allows users to set timers for the length of the shower, which will keep you on schedule and help control water usage.”
U isn’t the only smart shower system on the market. If you’re in the market for a smart showering system, do your research and talk to your design professional to see what system might work in your home, and what’s available in your area.
5 Smart-Home Ideas Worth Adopting
2. Smart mirrors
When you’re doing a detail-oriented task, such as shaving or applying make-up, bright lighting is beneficial. Now you can get the bathroom vanity light you need on command, thanks to technology.
The Verdera Voice Lighted Mirror by Kohler is another Alexa-enabled product. You can use voice commands to turn the mirror’s side light on to a specific mode or to the desired percentage of full power. For example, you can say “Alexa, turn light to make-up mode.” Or, you can specify exactly how bright you want the lights with commands like “Alexa, turn lights to 40 per cent.”
Like U by Moen, the Kohler mirror can also control your shower, and it also has the potential to control your taps, bathtub and even your toilet. You can purchase these other smart appliances from Kohler without the Verdera mirror, which is a nice option for users who don’t want an entirely connected bathroom.
“Kohler Konnect products are made to function with the Konnect App, a voice command assistant, manually or a combination of these,” says Jonathan Bradley, Kohler new-product development project leader. “Some consumers may seek a full-connected bathroom experience, in which utilising the Verdera Voice to control other products may be the ideal scenario. For others who are looking to engage in an experience on a small scale, integrating one or two connected products into their space may be a perfect solution.”
When you’re doing a detail-oriented task, such as shaving or applying make-up, bright lighting is beneficial. Now you can get the bathroom vanity light you need on command, thanks to technology.
The Verdera Voice Lighted Mirror by Kohler is another Alexa-enabled product. You can use voice commands to turn the mirror’s side light on to a specific mode or to the desired percentage of full power. For example, you can say “Alexa, turn light to make-up mode.” Or, you can specify exactly how bright you want the lights with commands like “Alexa, turn lights to 40 per cent.”
Like U by Moen, the Kohler mirror can also control your shower, and it also has the potential to control your taps, bathtub and even your toilet. You can purchase these other smart appliances from Kohler without the Verdera mirror, which is a nice option for users who don’t want an entirely connected bathroom.
“Kohler Konnect products are made to function with the Konnect App, a voice command assistant, manually or a combination of these,” says Jonathan Bradley, Kohler new-product development project leader. “Some consumers may seek a full-connected bathroom experience, in which utilising the Verdera Voice to control other products may be the ideal scenario. For others who are looking to engage in an experience on a small scale, integrating one or two connected products into their space may be a perfect solution.”
While many consumers might be interested in the concept of a connected smart mirror, there are likely many others who feel such technology isn’t necessary in the bathroom. In the end, it likely comes down to simple personal preference.
“It’s all about making life easier – even the little moments,” says Bradley. “Imagine drawing a bath without monitoring the hot and cold water. Imagine flushing without using your hands. It’s all about convenience, personalisation and comfort.”
The Verdera Voice mirror is expected to launch in the US in spring 2018, he says. It is not yet available in Australia.
“It’s all about making life easier – even the little moments,” says Bradley. “Imagine drawing a bath without monitoring the hot and cold water. Imagine flushing without using your hands. It’s all about convenience, personalisation and comfort.”
The Verdera Voice mirror is expected to launch in the US in spring 2018, he says. It is not yet available in Australia.
3. High-tech toilets
Although it doesn’t look much different from a standard toilet on the outside, a high-tech toilet has features that aren’t obvious until you start using it. For example, the lid can automatically open and close, and it can flush by itself after each use.
The Neorest by Toto (not yet available in Australia) offers both of those features. This toilet even has water jets that can wash your bottom with one of three modes. The toilet is covered with a ceramic glaze that reduces bacteria buildup and minimises mould growth and debris. Inside the bowl, the water stays clean thanks to an electrolysis process. Each flush uses only 4.8 litres of water, making this toilet an eco-friendly, sustainable choice.
See more bathrooms with wall-hung toilets
Although it doesn’t look much different from a standard toilet on the outside, a high-tech toilet has features that aren’t obvious until you start using it. For example, the lid can automatically open and close, and it can flush by itself after each use.
The Neorest by Toto (not yet available in Australia) offers both of those features. This toilet even has water jets that can wash your bottom with one of three modes. The toilet is covered with a ceramic glaze that reduces bacteria buildup and minimises mould growth and debris. Inside the bowl, the water stays clean thanks to an electrolysis process. Each flush uses only 4.8 litres of water, making this toilet an eco-friendly, sustainable choice.
See more bathrooms with wall-hung toilets
4. Innovative taps
Touch-free bathroom spouts have become commonplace, especially in commercial restrooms. Not only do they prevent people from leaving the water running, but they also are more sanitary than standard options because you don’t have to touch the taps to turn them on and off. However, those spouts can be tricky, because they usually require placing the hands in precise positions.
US company Delta wants to make it easier to turn on these high-tech spouts with its new sensing technology. This tapware innovation is different from the sensors you typically see because it detects the presence of a person’s hands anywhere around the fixture. Additionally, you can start or stop the flow of water by tapping the lever-style handle at the top or any section of the spout.
This technology could also prevent you from having to polish the fixture as often because people won’t smudge it with their fingerprints every time they use it.
Tell us
What bathroom technology do you have or would you use? Tell us in the Comments. And if you found this story helpful, like it, save it, and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Read more stories about bathroom trends
Touch-free bathroom spouts have become commonplace, especially in commercial restrooms. Not only do they prevent people from leaving the water running, but they also are more sanitary than standard options because you don’t have to touch the taps to turn them on and off. However, those spouts can be tricky, because they usually require placing the hands in precise positions.
US company Delta wants to make it easier to turn on these high-tech spouts with its new sensing technology. This tapware innovation is different from the sensors you typically see because it detects the presence of a person’s hands anywhere around the fixture. Additionally, you can start or stop the flow of water by tapping the lever-style handle at the top or any section of the spout.
This technology could also prevent you from having to polish the fixture as often because people won’t smudge it with their fingerprints every time they use it.
Tell us
What bathroom technology do you have or would you use? Tell us in the Comments. And if you found this story helpful, like it, save it, and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Read more stories about bathroom trends
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I receintly bought the Toto and I love it.
I’d like a bathroom style sink faucet with pull out to fill watering cans, wash hair in sink or wash a small pet.