With so many technological advances shaping the way we use our homes, what lies in store for the humble bathroom? From intelligent mirrors to toilet roll-carrying robots, see what you think of our predictions.
The bathroom of the future is certainly shaping up to be a very different place to the one we know now. With new ways to make electricals even safer, manufacturers are working hard to incorporate technological advancements we now take for granted elsewhere in our homes.
With the rise of the smart home, you may wonder how and why you’d want such technology in your bathroom, yet there are many ways your bathroom time could become a more comfortable, convenient and personal experience.
Here, we look at just some of the ideas that could soon be commonplace in the bathroom of the future.
The intelligent toilet
You can already discover a variety of “intelligent” toilets, with features like an automatic lid which opens are you approach, night lights which turn on when it’s dark, integrated bidets and even feet warmers, to make your experience much more luxurious.
Japan has led the way when it comes to smart toilet technology and, whilst it may seem a little over-indulgent, the electronic bidet toilet can be a massive help for the elderly or those with restricted mobility.
In the near future, we may even find toilets with music and flushing sounds that cover up our own noises, plus embedded deodorisers to mask and neutralise odours. A self-clean setting will also mean less time scrubbing, which, let’s face it, is one of the more unpleasant household tasks!
The Grohe Sensia Arena smart toilet offers some incredible features which certainly aren’t found on your usual toilet
Personalised bathing
Whilst whirlpool spa baths (often, mistakenly referred to as Jacuzzis) have been around for many years, technology is advancing in the bath world too. With smart bathing systems that fill the water at your chosen temperature and bath depth, you can even set your bath water running from your mobile phone, ready for you when you walk through the door. No need to worry about distractions and overflowing water—the bath of the future is a joy to savour!
And what can we expect in the bathroom of the future? How about your own personal choice of jet pressure, music and even the amount of lotions and potions you like in your water? So, you can lie back and relax without having to lift a finger.
Take the guesswork out of bath time using a smart bathing system
Body drying units
Let’s face it, towels can be pretty unhygienic, retaining moisture and bacteria, so, wouldn’t the bathroom of the future be a better place without them? Hand drying units are commonplace in commercial bathroom settings, whilst some theme parks have huge, all-over body dryers, in which you simply stand to dry off when you become soaked on a water ride. So, perhaps we aren’t far off a something similar for the average family bathroom?
A limited number of full body drying units are used in the accessible bathroom sector, helping those with limited mobility, and we predict these will come more into the mainstream. So, perhaps one day, you can wave goodbye to the towel forever!
Smart bath mats
Making weight checks more convenient and clever, the smart bath mat is a flat pad with a washable cover, designed to take the place of your usual bath mat.
With smart technology, you can monitor weight changes and receive alerts through a connected app when you reach personalised targets you’ve set. It’s even smart enough to recognise you from others using your footprint and pressure-mapping techniques. It can even check your posture, suggest corrective exercises and alert you to medical disorders, like diabetic foot condition.
Will these end up taking the weight off our minds too? Only time will tell.
Intelligent mirrors and skin care systems
Imagine a future where your bathroom mirror talks to you! No, it’s not a fairytale; you really could be the fairest of them all, as your smart mirror takes care of your skincare and makeup regimes. But how would this work?
By standing in front of your smart mirror, it will be able to analyse your face, creating personalised skincare needs and solutions, according to a variety of categories like redness, wrinkles and “trouble spots”. Imagine expert advice without consulting a skincare expert—just one of the advancements we might see in future bathroom mirrors.
Illuminated mirrors are already quite smart, with demisters, infrared sensors and even Bluetooth connectivity, like the Shine LED mirror pictured above
Fetch bot
The history of toilet roll is a fascinating one and, whilst we can’t see it being replaced in the bathroom of the future, there remains one problem that most bathroom users will have faced at some point—running out of paper while doing your business.
Well, imagine the relief, when a robot you summon using your smartphone heads off to collect a toilet roll for you, locating it from wherever you store it, and bringing it to you without that awkward hand-around-the-door moment! However, it may be some time before you see such robots helping out, as manufacturers currently have no plants to make the design commercially available.
The sky’s the limit
By combining intelligent and personalised features with self-cleaning technology, the bathroom of the future is closer than you’d think. Why not take a look at our futuristic bathroom, which utilises the latest smart technology and underfloor heating, for a space-age space in your home.
Smart bathroom solutions
Whilst some of our predictions may only be in the prototype stage, you’ll find plenty of smart solutions for your bathroom at Victoria Plum. Browse our smart shower systems and discover intelligent underfloor heating from Warmup, which could save you money on your bills.
