The vision of the smart bathroom
Different users have very different expectations of a smart bathroom. While most people can agree on an accessible bathroom in terms of comfort and safety, opinions still differ widely when it comes to choosing gadgets. In addition, for many people it is important how easy it is to access the modern technology. A remote control may be practical, but the trend is moving more and more towards smart apps and voice control.
Not all options and solutions are yet directly available on the market. However, the necessary technology already exists. So it is already possible to set up your own smart bathroom today. Let us first look at the various areas of the bathroom that can be extended or improved with smart technology:
- Lighting
- Sound technology
- Video technology
- Shower and bath mixers
- Height-adjustable vanity units
- Temperature and ventilation control
- Smart mirrors
- Smart multifunction toilets
All these elements are already available and you can combine them in your own dream bathroom. It is important to first consider which functions matter most to you and how large your personal budget for the smart bathroom actually is. Only after thinking this through should you start the actual planning.
Shower and bath mixers with intelligent technology
In a smart bathroom, modern mixers are the key to success. They not only allow you to set the temperature directly and precisely, but also to control the various jets and outlets. In a modern shower cabin, for example, you can use the appropriate mixer to set the various jets and showers to suit your wishes.
You can also create different scenarios so that the shower adapts to what you want at the moment. Massaging jets after sport, for example, are often particularly popular, while the morning shower is mainly about getting properly clean. Many modern smart mixers also offer further advantages. As we have already shown in our article on saving water in the shower, modern shower systems can save a lot of water. Combined with mixers like these, this effect can be increased considerably. And this applies not only to the shower and the bathtub, but of course also to a shower bath combination.
Smart mirrors in the smart bathroom
A smart bathroom stands out for its flexibility. Modern mirrors already give a first impression of what is possible in a bathroom like this. Modern smart make-up mirrors adapt their built-in lighting to the light conditions, so that the user can apply make-up in light that is as natural as possible.
Other mirrors work with cameras, capture the face, analyse skin blemishes and spots and help to document changes. Large, technically very advanced bathroom mirrors, on the other hand, have integrated screens and can display films, news or the weather.
Toilet and bidet: technical and intelligent
Comfort is, of course, always a factor in the smart bathroom. As we already said in our article on bidets, personal hygiene is also crucial here. Modern smart toilets, for example, can not only preheat the toilet seat to make it more comfortable, but also make personal intimate hygiene much easier thanks to a bidet function. These toilets are not exactly cheap, but the investment is usually worthwhile.
In addition, these new systems often need only a little water and offer further features such as odour extraction. Thanks to their many different functions, a multifunction toilet like this is extremely practical, especially in small bathrooms, as it can combine many functions in one place. After all, not every bathroom has enough space for both a toilet and a bidet.
Enjoying music and films in the bathroom
The bathroom is already a real wellness temple and a place of relaxation. A smart bathroom takes this idea further and provides the right background. Even today you can use waterproof speakers and televisions to bring more media into the bathroom. These devices can easily be fed the content you want via streaming. This means you can enjoy your music, the radio or an audiobook in the bathroom too.
The integration of voice commands and voice assistants is particularly interesting. For example, you can lie in the bathtub and change the volume or the music with a single command. This can be fully combined with smart lighting control, so that the bathroom always adapts directly to your wishes and preferences. Using the various voice assistants, you can create your own individual bathroom scenarios, for example. When you want to take a bath, the lights are dimmed, the heating is turned up and the music of your choice starts playing.
A smart bathroom is accessible
Alongside all the trends in smart bathrooms, the practical aspect in particular is becoming increasingly important. A smart bathroom can and should also make it easier to use the bathroom in old age. Accessibility is therefore an important consideration when choosing the various features. After all, a wide range of smart bathroom ideas can also be put into practice in combination with a senior bath tub or a height-adjustable vanity unit.
In addition, smart control makes it even easier for many users to adapt the bathroom and its furniture to their own preferences. As users and their settings can simply be defined and saved in many areas, in future it will be possible to set the ideal water temperature at the bath mixer and the right height of the vanity unit with a fingerprint sensor or a voice command, for example. This not only increases comfort considerably, but also safety for older users in the bathroom.
What you should always bear in mind with a smart bathroom
As tempting as the many bathroom solutions may seem, you should still bear in mind that many of them use technical innovations that are usually powered by electricity. A damp environment such as a bathroom and technology that is not installed and used properly do not go together and can quickly lead to hazards. For this reason, you should always call in a qualified tradesperson for your smart bathroom, who will make sure the connections are safe.
In addition, if a qualified tradesperson carries out the installation, you can hold them liable should any installation-related problems occur. For some solutions it is also necessary to change the wiring in the bathroom and, for example, install an additional fused circuit. This work should also be carried out by a suitably qualified professional. If you are planning to renovate your bathroom or build a new one, you should definitely consider the options a smart bathroom offers.
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