Tech Brings More Luxury and Convenience to the Bathroom
The latest products include voice- and remote-controlled mirrors, showers and toilets, as well as zero-gravity tubs
Erin Carlyle
March 9, 2019
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes to remodel. Former Forbes real estate reporter. Fascinated by cool homes, watching the bottom line.
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes... More
With technology spreading ever further into our lives and homes, the bathroom may be the one place you’d prefer to stay disconnected. But some seriously cool products shown at the 2019 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show may change your perspective.
First of all, let’s be clear that technology already is making its way into the bathroom through our mobile phones. A couple of years ago, Houzz research revealed that more than half of homeowners renovating their master bathrooms admitted to using a mobile device in there at least once a week — about one-third to check email, and 28 percent to text. While most of us probably limit our technology in the bathroom to using the cellphone or perhaps streaming the occasional movie, the new and upcoming products featured here forecast where the bathroom industry is headed.
First of all, let’s be clear that technology already is making its way into the bathroom through our mobile phones. A couple of years ago, Houzz research revealed that more than half of homeowners renovating their master bathrooms admitted to using a mobile device in there at least once a week — about one-third to check email, and 28 percent to text. While most of us probably limit our technology in the bathroom to using the cellphone or perhaps streaming the occasional movie, the new and upcoming products featured here forecast where the bathroom industry is headed.
Photo from Kohler
Smart Bathroom Lighting to Match Circadian Rhythms
The most interesting new products we spotted at the show use technology to make the bathroom a more relaxing, restorative place to be. Take Kohler’s new Veil Lighted suite of illuminated bathroom products — freestanding tub, mirror, vanity and sink, and toilet — designed to serve up the right level of light to match your body’s circadian rhythms.
Homeowners can activate the products in a variety of ways — through motion control sensors, so that when they move near the sensor the appropriate level of light turns on, and through voice commands to their Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, which they can use to fill their bathtubs, adjust their mirror lighting and more. Homeowners also can control the Veil Lighted series through a remote control or the Kohler Konnect app.
Smart Bathroom Lighting to Match Circadian Rhythms
The most interesting new products we spotted at the show use technology to make the bathroom a more relaxing, restorative place to be. Take Kohler’s new Veil Lighted suite of illuminated bathroom products — freestanding tub, mirror, vanity and sink, and toilet — designed to serve up the right level of light to match your body’s circadian rhythms.
Homeowners can activate the products in a variety of ways — through motion control sensors, so that when they move near the sensor the appropriate level of light turns on, and through voice commands to their Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, which they can use to fill their bathtubs, adjust their mirror lighting and more. Homeowners also can control the Veil Lighted series through a remote control or the Kohler Konnect app.
Photo from Kohler
As just one example of how the products match circadian rhythms, consider how bright lights can be jarring early in the morning or in the middle of the night. At those times, the products will produce a gentle glow. Alternatively, homeowners can set the amount of light emitted at specific times of day to fit their preferences.
Browse bathroom vanities in the Houzz Shop
As just one example of how the products match circadian rhythms, consider how bright lights can be jarring early in the morning or in the middle of the night. At those times, the products will produce a gentle glow. Alternatively, homeowners can set the amount of light emitted at specific times of day to fit their preferences.
Browse bathroom vanities in the Houzz Shop
Photo from Kohler
Kohler’s dimmable Verdera Voice lighted mirror goes a step beyond voice commands and actually embeds an Amazon Alexa in the mirror itself. Homeowners can tell the mirror to turn on the shower, play music or report on traffic. Voice commands to the mirror can control other Alexa-enabled products in the home. While the mirror is currently available only with Alexa, Kohler plans to launch it with Google Assistant later this year.
Find a bathroom designer near you in the Houzz pro directory
Kohler’s dimmable Verdera Voice lighted mirror goes a step beyond voice commands and actually embeds an Amazon Alexa in the mirror itself. Homeowners can tell the mirror to turn on the shower, play music or report on traffic. Voice commands to the mirror can control other Alexa-enabled products in the home. While the mirror is currently available only with Alexa, Kohler plans to launch it with Google Assistant later this year.
Find a bathroom designer near you in the Houzz pro directory
Photo from Kohler
Showers That Respond to Your Voice or Touch
Kohler’s DTV+ showering system with Kohler Konnect allows you to create personalized shower settings for every member of your household. You can set sound, water, steam and lighting preferences, and use voice commands or the wall-mounted interface, pictured, to launch preselected settings. You can even start your shower with your voice while lying in bed so that it’s warm and ready by the time you reach the bathroom.
Showers That Respond to Your Voice or Touch
Kohler’s DTV+ showering system with Kohler Konnect allows you to create personalized shower settings for every member of your household. You can set sound, water, steam and lighting preferences, and use voice commands or the wall-mounted interface, pictured, to launch preselected settings. You can even start your shower with your voice while lying in bed so that it’s warm and ready by the time you reach the bathroom.
Photo from American Standard
American Standard’s Spectra Touch shower head changes spray patterns with a touch of the outside ring, as shown in this photo. A second model, the Spectra eTouch shower head, comes with a remote control that can be mounted on any shower surface, so homeowners who may have trouble reaching or stretching to the actual shower head can easily change the spray pattern using the remote.
American Standard’s Spectra Touch shower head changes spray patterns with a touch of the outside ring, as shown in this photo. A second model, the Spectra eTouch shower head, comes with a remote control that can be mounted on any shower surface, so homeowners who may have trouble reaching or stretching to the actual shower head can easily change the spray pattern using the remote.
Photo from Toto
Comfort Features for the Bathtub
Spa-like destination bathtubs are trending, and some of the products at KBIS are along for the ride. The most futuristic example is Toto’s flotation tub with Zero Dimension technology. It simulates zero gravity for the bather by positioning the body with torso reclined and hips, ankles and knees flexed. This tub was launched in 2018 with a high price tag.
Comfort Features for the Bathtub
Spa-like destination bathtubs are trending, and some of the products at KBIS are along for the ride. The most futuristic example is Toto’s flotation tub with Zero Dimension technology. It simulates zero gravity for the bather by positioning the body with torso reclined and hips, ankles and knees flexed. This tub was launched in 2018 with a high price tag.
Photo from Toto
This year, Toto introduced two new tubs with zero-gravity technology at prices that are more palatable to the everyday homeowner. This Recline Comfort flotation tub includes a built-in headrest and a built-in footrest that allows ankles and knees to flex into the ideal zero-gravity position.
This year, Toto introduced two new tubs with zero-gravity technology at prices that are more palatable to the everyday homeowner. This Recline Comfort flotation tub includes a built-in headrest and a built-in footrest that allows ankles and knees to flex into the ideal zero-gravity position.
Photo from American Standard
American Standard’s DXV brand showcased its luxury tub at KBIS. The Aqua Moment drop-in air bath with a waterfall came on the market in September 2018 and debuted at KBIS earlier that year. It features a massaging shoulder bath, thanks to a headrest that recirculates the bathwater so it falls in a cascade over your shoulders. Bathers can choose one of eight colors of LED lights to illuminate the water.
10 Destination Bathtubs for the Ultimate Soak
American Standard’s DXV brand showcased its luxury tub at KBIS. The Aqua Moment drop-in air bath with a waterfall came on the market in September 2018 and debuted at KBIS earlier that year. It features a massaging shoulder bath, thanks to a headrest that recirculates the bathwater so it falls in a cascade over your shoulders. Bathers can choose one of eight colors of LED lights to illuminate the water.
10 Destination Bathtubs for the Ultimate Soak
Photo from Kohler
Toilets That Plug In
The latest in cutting-edge toilets bring a blend of luxurious features to the bathroom, from self-cleaning and deodorizing functions to the increasingly prevalent bidet washing technology. This year also brought the industry’s first integration of a home assistant — the Amazon Alexa — into a toilet itself.
With Kohler’s new Numi 2.0 toilet, which debuted at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year, you can use Alexa to listen to music, check the weather or order a meal — all from the comfort of your seat.
Toilets That Plug In
The latest in cutting-edge toilets bring a blend of luxurious features to the bathroom, from self-cleaning and deodorizing functions to the increasingly prevalent bidet washing technology. This year also brought the industry’s first integration of a home assistant — the Amazon Alexa — into a toilet itself.
With Kohler’s new Numi 2.0 toilet, which debuted at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year, you can use Alexa to listen to music, check the weather or order a meal — all from the comfort of your seat.
Photo from Toto
Toto showcased this Neorest NX2 intelligent toilet with Actilight, named a 2019 Consumer Electronics Show Innovation Award Honoree. The toilet has an auto open-close sensor and an auto flush. The model’s integrated Washlet — Toto’s bidet cleansing technology — includes warm water, a warm air dryer and a heated seat.
The toilet also has energy-saving, water-saving and deodorizing features. After each flush, the toilet gives itself a water misting that helps keep it fresh. A UV light shines on the titanium dioxide and zirconium glazed bowl, causing a chemical reaction that accelerates the decomposition of any organic substances — aka human waste — on the bowl. An automated system initiates self-cleaning of the toilet once a month, and this fancy toilet plugs in.
Toto showcased this Neorest NX2 intelligent toilet with Actilight, named a 2019 Consumer Electronics Show Innovation Award Honoree. The toilet has an auto open-close sensor and an auto flush. The model’s integrated Washlet — Toto’s bidet cleansing technology — includes warm water, a warm air dryer and a heated seat.
The toilet also has energy-saving, water-saving and deodorizing features. After each flush, the toilet gives itself a water misting that helps keep it fresh. A UV light shines on the titanium dioxide and zirconium glazed bowl, causing a chemical reaction that accelerates the decomposition of any organic substances — aka human waste — on the bowl. An automated system initiates self-cleaning of the toilet once a month, and this fancy toilet plugs in.
Photo from American Standard
This SpaLet Bidet electronic toilet from DXV has similar features to the Toto Neorest NX2, with hands-free flushing and open-close function and a bidet. This toilet has a blue light that cleans the air inside the bowl when the lid is closed. It plugs into the wall.
American Standard also showcased its Advanced Clean SpaLet line of bidet seats, which can be added to any standard toilet. Homeowners can choose the strength and temperature for their bidet water stream and adjust their seat heat. Most of the models plug in.
This SpaLet Bidet electronic toilet from DXV has similar features to the Toto Neorest NX2, with hands-free flushing and open-close function and a bidet. This toilet has a blue light that cleans the air inside the bowl when the lid is closed. It plugs into the wall.
American Standard also showcased its Advanced Clean SpaLet line of bidet seats, which can be added to any standard toilet. Homeowners can choose the strength and temperature for their bidet water stream and adjust their seat heat. Most of the models plug in.
Photo from Kohler
Kohler’s new Eir intelligent toilet, pictured with gold edging around the lid, has a hands-free open-close function, a bidet, a heated seat and pre-misting before the flush.
Straight Flush: The Future of Toilets in the Home
Tell us: Would you consider any of these advanced features in your own bathroom? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More on Houzz
These New Products Aim to Make Your Kitchen Smarter
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Shop for products
Kohler’s new Eir intelligent toilet, pictured with gold edging around the lid, has a hands-free open-close function, a bidet, a heated seat and pre-misting before the flush.
Straight Flush: The Future of Toilets in the Home
Tell us: Would you consider any of these advanced features in your own bathroom? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More on Houzz
These New Products Aim to Make Your Kitchen Smarter
Find a pro
Shop for products
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it's a millenial world for using technology!
I want to see the video (and you can blur it if you wish) of someone using the tub in the first picture, then getting out on the tile floor, and finding a towel (where is the towel?) and then attempting to dry off (where is the mat?) without sliding across the room and crashing thru the window.
I’d like to see a vertical fan, in a wall, wall mounted, or in a vanity that will gently complete the drying process after bathing. It can mounted to vanity height with temperature adjusted air directed slightly upward. This can run while attending to other morning activities (shaving, makeup etc).