Bathrooms of the future

The bathroom is one of the most important places in the home.

Within it, for many, it might be the only time they are truly by themselves in a day.

As a room which is visited frequently throughout the day, bathrooms of the future should feel more homely and incorporate smart technologies to heighten the bathroom going experience.

Smart technologies are usually associated with cars or integrated homes, where you can control nearly anything with an app on your phone.

Most products these days are being upgraded with smart technology, from televisions to fridges, no appliance is without the possibility of being ‘smart’ – a bathroom is no different.

From toilets to showerheads, the bathroom is getting a 21st century upgrade.

“A smart bathroom is the integration of technology to enhance the sensory experience,” Webb & Brown-Neaves Designer Scott Richardson told New Homes.

Smart technology in bathrooms isn’t all about luxury, it can also be a helpful time saver.

“Technology can range from high-tech toilets with heated seats and self-cleaning functions, to anti-fog mirrors with built-in backlighting and Bluetooth speakers,” Mr Richardson said.

“Other products include showerheads with digitally controlled temperature and pressure, as well as switch glass which can turn from clear to opaque in an instant.”

At Webb & Brown-Neaves, this technology can be combined to fully integrate with voice-controlled smart homes, according to Mr Richardson.

Mr Richardson said while smart bathrooms did not have as much market impact as other smart technologies, they were becoming more prevalent in the housing market and the trend was predicted to continue

“In many ways, the bathroom is the final frontier of smart gadgets,” he said.

“We see smart bathrooms becoming more popular to complete the smart home experience.

“As more products with better pricing become available, we’ll start to see smart bathrooms really take off.”

For those willing to install smart bathroom technology, the results will speak for themselves, according to Mr Richardson.

“Smart bathrooms offer the ultimate user experience,” he said.

“They create a calming sanctuary in your own home, where everything can be operated with a voice command.”