A SMARTER BATHROOM
Ever wondered what the bathroom of the future will look like? The future is here when it comes to smart bathrooms. The advent of the internet of things, specifically smart home, has created a new way of interacting with our homes. Investing in smart home technology for your bathroom will turn an otherwise utilitarian room to something more exciting.
Smart Bathrooms at CES
Get the basics right
Before you invest money and time into installing a high-tech solution for your bathroom, you need to make sure that you have a solid foundation on what you build. You’ll need a few great partners to build the bathroom that you’ve always wanted. If you’re doing a renovation, start with an evaluation of the layout. There may be a better layout plan that gives you more space so don’t just go with what you currently have.
Make sure you take care of any existing issues with plumbing or electrical. That means you need to recruit the help of professionals like Sydney Emergency Plumbing for any plumbing related issues like a blocked drain. They use technology like that can help diagnose a problem so you can focus on the fun stuff. Don’t forget electrical needs, if you’re installing a smart shower, you’ll need to add wiring to places you didn’t have before.
Smart Showers
One of the best options for a smart bathroom is a smart shower. You can control the temperature of the shower by voice or keypad when you connect it with your favorite voice assistant. Smart showers allow you to be able to start and stop your shower remotely so it can start to work on getting to the perfect temperature before you even enter the bathroom. You may also be to set your preferred water pressure and duration, smart showers can save water consumption which is a big advantage for the environmentally conscious.
Now, while we are on the subject of showers, smart controls are not the only technological upgrade to consider. In fact, there are many other advances to think about as well. One of these is the shower heads that come with a range of mood lighting and rainfall options. These additions can make your shower experience hugely enjoyable, not simply a necessary action to take. Then there are the shower heads that come with Bluetooth speakers built-in, these devices that will allow you to listen to your wake-up playlist while scrubbing up for the day.
Smart mirrors
Smart mirrors will elevate your bathroom to a whole new level. They vary in features and sizes, you may prefer a small round smart mirror with anti-fog technology that prevents it from fogging up no matter how steamy your shower becomes or a rectangular with LED lights and bluetooth connectivity. You can listen to news, check the weather, and even messages. Additionally, the mirrors with LED lights for better accuracy for shaving and applying makeup.
If you’re brave and patient enough, you can even build your own smart mirror. It’s not a mistake, I said BUILD. If you do build one, please be sure to send me a photo!
I got to play with a smart mirror on one of my trips to CES. It was the LG ThinQ smart mirror, the mirror is equipped with scanning ability that takes your measurements and offers you clothing options for purchase. Once you’ve made your selection, the smart mirror will place the order! It’s still a prototype so you’ll have to wait a bit to purchase this item.
Whirlpool tubs & Smart bathtubs
When it comes to tech in the bathroom, you should consider a luxurious and relaxing whirlpool bath or a smart bathtub. Beyond the standard whirlpool tubs, smart bathtubs are the ultimate luxury item in the bathroom, it’s relatively new and sometimes feels like it’s more of a novelty than practical. Nevertheless, your baths will feel more soothing than ever before. You can control your tub from a device, you can select your water level, temperature, and even lighting. For bath lovers, this creates a soothing environment that will help you melt the day away.
Smart Toilets
Yes, smart toilets. There are many options in this category from the complete unit to just the seat portion. At a glance, it feels like a novelty. Smart toilet features can range from integrated lighting, music, warming feature to some with a bidet attachment. There are toilets that will do the flushing as well as closing the lids for you. Think of all the marriages saved by this feature alone! There are some great benefits like a self-cleaning technology and for the environmentally conscious, some toilets are designed to save water and energy.
Where To Start
Affordability can be an issue with a complete smart bathroom renovation. You can start by replacing your existing bulbs with smart bulbs or a motion-sensing dimmer switch that will automatically turn on when you enter the room and turn off when you leave. This solves the issue of fumbling for the light switch in the middle of the night.
Bathrooms can be the cause of water damage in many homes so I would recommend placing a smart water sensor under the bathroom sink and near the toilet. This will give you peace of mind that even if you are away, you will be notified if you have a water leak. They are relatively cheap and will save you so much time and money by being prepared.