Here’s a thought: the bathroom of the future. What does that look like to you?
We gathered worldwide data and insights into futuristic bathroom features from Google Patents and Google Search and collaborated with experts to see what the future of bathrooms really looks like, from water-saving toilets, voice activated mirrors to smart hand dryers.
Soaking up smart technology
Today’s bathroom renovations are going far beyond a few upgraded units, new tiles, and a lick of paint. Smart technology is now a key factor in bathroom upgrades, and already, around 62% of UK households have smart devices installed[1]. People’s interest in smart technology is furthermore reflected in the 3,058 searches for ‘smart bathroom’ every month. Our insights also revealed 255 patents just for the term ‘smart bathroom’.
This doesn’t come as much surprise to Jim Garrett, Managing Director at Core Tech. When speaking to the Direct365 team, Jim said: “Smart technology in all areas of our homes is becoming an expectation of every homeowner in today’s world and bathrooms are no exception. We are already seeing transition in this space. I believe most certainly within five years, period, every bathroom will expect to have an element of technology.”
Backing up this statement from Jim, Statista estimates the smart home market will grow 11% year-on-year between 2024 and 2028, reaching a projected market volume of $17.1 billion by 2028[2].
Therefore, it is apparent that while these technologies will continue to develop, the evolution of smart bathrooms is well underway.
Is the bathroom wall…listening to me?
When it comes to patents, smart speakers, water recycling and smart thermostats are dominating the market.
It’s this search for ambience that we’re likely to see represented in future smart bathroom solutions. As Ben Lee from Vita Architecture explains, “The concept of a bathroom won’t fundamentally change, but the details are always being evolved and improved to create a better ambience. Details such as using plaster in invisible speakers, or sensors and lighting, all help create a better ambience for the user.”
Chris Lawson at CK Architectural emphasised that eco-friendly technology will be built into futuristic bathrooms, saying: “Environmental concerns will likely be at the heart of future bathroom choices. With a focus on conservation and rainwater harvesting, construction professionals must adopt more intricate installation techniques and more intricate features.”
“Looking ahead, innovations like perforated flooring equipped with self-cleaning steam features can recycle drainage water after a swift underfloor treatment, thereby reducing strain on water resources. Residential settings will increasingly prioritise minimising chemical usage and embracing eco-friendly waste management practices.”
Going tankless in the bathroom
‘Tankless water heaters’ is the most searched for term, reaching over 212,000 monthly searches. However, currently, it has only 454 patents, showing there’s an opportunity within the market.
Brad Gall, founder and owner of BG Electrical & Air Con, said smart solutions for water and heat will continue to hit the market. However, this goes way beyond automatic detection and control of temperature and humidity, which is something almost all modern thermostats can already do. Instead, Brad says there will be a focus on AI within advanced water management, particularly with tankless water heaters and waste.
Beyond eco-friendly smart solutions, what else are we looking for?
Ben Lee at Vita Architecture explained that many commercial projects are moving towards touchless technologies, particularly after COVID. However, this doesn’t just include taps, toilets, and hand dryers, but other key restroom items, such as doors and light sensors rather than switches. This is also reflected in residential properties. “For our residential projects, technologies are also shifting with the introduction of smart showers and ambience-led features such as smart speakers and voice-activated mirrors.”
Furthermore, bathrooms are quickly becoming a personalised wellness space driven by smart technology, whether that’s an LED and voice-activated mirror, or a thermostat that knows exactly what time of the day you want to take a shower. As Tricia Guild, founder of Designers Guild, highlights: “We want our bathrooms to emulate a feeling of calm and wellness in the strongest sense. They are where we go to relax and unwind and with tech advancements, our indulgence in this will grow stronger. It’s why appliances that mimic waterfalls, for example, have become prevalent in bathrooms and will continue to do so.”
The worldwide smart bathroom
Four countries are leading the way with technology-enabled bathroom solutions. Unsurprisingly, the US, UK, Canada, and Australia all rank the highest in terms of monthly search volume. US residents send 287,195 searches every month for terms such as ‘water saving toilets’, ‘tankless water heaters’, and ‘smart mirror’. ‘Water recycling’ is a hot search for US residents too, showing the States have an interest in doing better for the environment when upgrading their bathroom suites.
In the UK, the trends are much the same, though Brits are also searching frequently for ‘smart speakers’, ‘smart toilets’, and touchless products such as automatic hand dryers, taps, and toilets. Clearly, the UK market is seeking solutions that increase the overall look and feel of their bathrooms, providing a level of luxury and convenience alongside sustainability.
This will be a key challenge for bathroom design and supply companies. As Chris Lawson of CK Architectural explains, this challenge is already prevalent in the construction industry: “In navigating the future of sustainable bathroom design, finding the delicate balance between practicality, functionality, and luxury presents a growing challenge in the construction industry.”
Likely, this means design companies will adopt a level of minimalism as we step into the futuristic bathroom. Speaking of what bathroom design may look like across the world, Tricia Guild of Designers Guild envisions a sleek, minimalistic look that builds innovative technology firmly within the decor. She says: “We can expect more statement lighting over functional fittings, and AI and smart features will no doubt play a central role.”
Making space for the futuristic bathroom
The modern bathroom is much more than a place for personal hygiene. With ever-advancing technology, we’re transforming our bathrooms into places of serenity, sustainability, and personalisation. The industry is shifting, and consumers’ preferences are too.
Now, consumers are looking for ways to elevate their bathroom space with technology-enabled solutions that not only provide them with the luxurious feel but deliver on sustainability. Environmental concerns, water waste, and heat conservation are key concerns for consumers today and of the future, whether within a residential property or a commercial business.
At Direct365, we’re leading suppliers of eco-friendly, advanced hygiene and washroom solutions for commercial businesses. From hand dryers and sanitising stations to washroom vending machines and air care, we stock an extensive range of solutions to revolutionise your business bathroom into a space fit for the future.
Sources
[1] % of UK households with smart technology
[2] Growth of the smart home market 2024-2028
Methodology
A list of futuristic bathroom features and designs was collected from experts. This list was then condensed into relevant search terms that were searched across Google Patents as well as google searches across all global countries. Countries with a population of less than 5,000,000 were excluded from the study to ensure data accuracy.
The population of each country was then collected and used to calculate patents and average google search per 100,000 people.
The per capita figures can then be used to identify which countries are looking into and searching for futuristic bathroom designs/features the most.
Back