The best smart technology for the bathroom: an expert guide |
Smart technology for bathrooms often gets overlooked, with homeowners often directing their tech focus toward more forward-facing rooms, such as the living room, entrance hall and even the kitchen.
This is actually a real shame as incorporating even just one or two pieces of smart tech into the bathroom really can make all the difference to how well it functions for you, smoothing out the busy morning rush and enhancing your evening routine.
When it comes to setting up a smart home, you must choose products specifically for the type of room in which they are being installed. It is also important to think about who will be using the space. You don’t want to end up spending a fortune on a whole bunch of smart tech that you’ll never use.
We reached out to the experts for their advice on the best smart tech for bathrooms to ensure you know where to spend and where to save.
The best smart technology for bathroom remodels
When it comes to the best bathroom remodel tips, incorporating some smart home tech is a brilliant way not only to future-proof the space but also to ensure that it is a room that is nothing but a pleasure to use.
‘Incorporating smart home technology into a bathroom remodel can enhance both functionality and luxury,’ explains Daryl Friedman, global president and CEO of CEDIA.
‘When considering adding smart home tech, work with a professional integrator to assess what is feasible within your space and help bring your vision to life,’ advises Daryl. ‘Integrators are knowledgeable about the latest technologies and can provide insights into how different devices can work together seamlessly, ensuring that your bathroom is practical and functional.’
1. Install smart bathroom lighting for total control
(Image credit: Drench)
There are so many smart lighting benefits, not least that it can help with your overall wellbeing – and in a bathroom, anything that can help get you going in the morning and aid with relaxation at night should be a priority.
There are so many smart bathroom lighting options out there, but be on the lookout for those that can be preset to come on at different intensities depending on the time of day and also those that offer hands-free operation.
‘The Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi 2nd Gen Motion Sensing Dimmer gives you hands-free control of the lights in your bathroom and even allows you to set different dimming settings based on the time of day,’ explains James Shurte, senior product manager at Leviton. ‘No more being blasted with light when you wake up to go to the bathroom. Not only that but you can fully control the dimmer via the My Leviton App from anywhere in your house.’
‘Homeowners can use devices like smart bulbs, smart switches and dimmers to control bathroom lighting,’ adds Joel Worthington, president at Mr. Electric. ‘These types of devices are controlled through apps on smartphones and tablets and can also be controlled through voice assistants and automated schedules. Bathroom light sensors can also be set to not turn on during certain hours such as nighttime for further convenience and functionality.’
The TREATLIFE Smart Light Bulbs from Amazon are a great buy.
Joel oversees operations of 170 North American franchise locations and international master franchisees.
Established in 1994, Mr. Electric® is a global franchise organization providing electrical installation and repair services. Mr. Electric franchisees provide these services to both residential and commercial customers at almost 200 locations worldwide. Mr. Electric is a subsidiary of the Neighborly® family of service franchises.
2. Banish mould and condensation with smart ventilation
(Image credit: LisaSarah)
If you are always on the lookout for how to clean mold in the shower, your choice of smart tech could just make this a thing of the past. Seeking out and installing the best bathroom ventilation should be top of your to-do list when remodeling your bathroom.
Look out for exhaust fans that turn on when they detect excess humidity and that switch off when normal levels are reached – not only will this reduce the risk of mold and mildew, but it will also cut down on condensation and generally make your bathroom more pleasant to spend time in.
‘You want to be comfortable when you’re in the bathroom and the Leviton Humidity Sensor and Fan Control helps you do that,’ says James Shurte. ‘This product is easy to install and automatically turns your bath or ventilation fan on or off due to its ability to detect excess humidity in a room. This means that your bathroom will be less prone to mold and mildew without you having to lift a finger.’
The Leviton DHS05-1LW Humidity Sensor Switch from Amazon automatically turns ventilation fans on or off.
As a Senior Product Manager for Leviton’s Residential business unit, James Shurte is responsible for product leadership of Leviton’s Smart Home initiatives with a focus on connected lighting and load control. An enthusiastic advocate for technology and all things IoT, James is currently managing Leviton’s next generation Decora Smart portfolio.
3. Bring together practicality and comfort with a hi-tech toilet
It isn’t just when planning bathroom lighting and ventilation that you can give your space a smart upgrade, bathroom sanitaryware is in on the act now too, including the most functional of all items – the toilet.
‘In recent years, many bathroom renovations include a smart toilet, which is the gold standard of a bathroom renovation,’ says Danny Hertzberg, a licensed real estate sales associate with the Jills Zeder Group who recently renovated his apartment with a focus on using all the smart home elements available at that time. ‘It’s important to plan for this feature in advance in order to have electrical connections in the right places for the toilet and the smart panel.’
‘Smart toilets run the spectrum from luxury and ultra-advanced to basic and affordable. Warmed seats, UV light cleaning elements, automatic seat raising, and sensor night lights are just a few of the features.’
The DeerValley Smart Soft Close Toilet from Lowes features a night light, a built-in deodorizer fan, and adjustable seat temperature levels.
As a member of The Jills Zeder Group, Danny Hertzberg has received numerous awards and accolades, including being named to the ’30 Under 30′ list by Forbes, and most recently the ’40 Under 40′ list by the South Florida Business Journal.
‘In 2013 I purchased an apartment and renovated it for myself with a focus on using all smart home elements available at that time,” says Danny. “One of the aspects I was most proud of was fully integrating smart home tech into my morning routine. I set up the system to open the blinds instead of an alarm and at the same time raise the temperature to make it easier to get out of bed. The lights in the bathroom would then come on with a dim setting and news would turn on, which was embedded into my bathroom mirror. It was a morning symphony of carefully ordered smart home tech to start a great day!’
Three of the best smart toilets
DeerValley Smart Soft Close Toilet
This reasonably priced smart toilet comes with a range of handy features including a night light for nocturnal bathroom trips, a built-in deodorizer fan, a heated seat with adjustable temperature, automatic flushing, a high-efficiency flush, and a soft close seat.
KOHLER Smart WaterSense Toilet
While this might not be the cheapest option, this toilet is jam-packed with features, including an elongated seat design for added comfort, a bidet function, a deodorizing function, and a heated, soft close seat. It is the only model here with an adjustable seat height.
Uncle Brown Luxury Smart Toilet
A mid-priced smart toilet with a night light and digital display in addition to a hygienic bidet function, automatic flush, fully adjustable heated seat, a warm air dryer, and auto deodorization. It also comes with handy instructions for DIY installation.
4. Enjoy all the benefits of a smart shower
(Image credit: Grohe)
The smart bathroom tech doesn’t stop with toilets – you can also work it into your shower room ideas.
‘Another smart home bathroom element is a smart shower with the ability to precisely set the temperature, and water pressure, to filter water, and even play music,’ says Danny Hertzberg.
The Doozoler Full Body Shower System from Amazon is a rain shower system that allows you to control it using Bluetooth technology from your smart device, letting you play music and scroll through 64 different lighting options. It also features a large rain shower head, a range of body jets, a handheld shower with an ultra-long hose to make cleaning easy, and a thermostatic lock for safety.
5. Use your mirror for more than just preening
(Image credit: Sanctuary Bathroom)
Your bathroom mirror ideas can be useful for so much more than showing you your beautiful reflection – they are now available with a whole host of smart functions.
‘Smart mirrors have come a long way beyond embedded TVs,’ says Danny Hertzberg. ‘These smart mirrors now have a wide range of LED light settings, Bluetooth music, and anti-fog technology.’
The GESIPOR Bathroom LED Mirror from Amazon features lighting that you can preset at different intensities for various times of day, can play your favorite music, and has a defogger button that will clear the mirror in just seconds.
FAQs
What’s the next big thing in smart tech for bathrooms?
If you want to future-proof your home for later life it will really pay to look into where smart home tech is headed next.
‘The smart home evolution started with utility aspects like lighting, alarm systems, HVAC heating/cooling, with the second wave focused on elevating speakers, entertainment aspects, and kitchen-focused smart automation,’ explains Danny. “The next chapter of smart home tech is definitely AI integration and seamless voice control. Both aspects should be considered when planning a bathroom renovation for the future.”
What smart tech can reduce energy usage in the bathroom?
Convenience aside, bathroom smart tech can also help when it comes to shrinking your energy usage – and, consequently, your utility bills.
‘Some smart devices to help with energy efficiency are smart plugs and smart exhaust fans with humidity sensors,’ says Joel Worthington. ‘Bathroom light sensors can help with energy efficiency as they will turn off the lights when the room is not in use.’
‘Smart showerheads and faucets can be used to track water usage, pressure and temperature,’ continues Joel. ‘Smart leak detectors monitor for leaks and certain models can shut off the water supply if needed to avoid further damage from a water leak.’
While remodeling your bathroom take the opportunity to think about what other smart home must-haves you could integrate elsewhere into your home. Would your bedroom benefit from smart lighting, or could you up the security in your home with the latest technology to protect your property?
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