Clean and Serene
Smart appliances can make for a more hygienic and sustainable bathroom
With its high concentration of appliances, the bathroom is rife with opportunities to introduce smart technology. The main goals: to save energy, minimise moisture and remove unpleasant odours. Smart technology also solves that age-old problem of stumbling around in the dark to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. “A smart toilet bowl such as the Kohler Numi can make for hassle-free night time trips to the bathroom,” recommends Ng. “It can glow in the dark, and the lid will open and treat you to a warm seat as you walk up to it; when you walk away, it flushes and closes.” Kong, meanwhile, suggests motion sensors. “When you wake up in the middle of the night to use the toilet, your motion will trigger the sensor, turning on the lighting and ventilation system without you having to press various buttons in the dark,” she says. Homeowners can also have the vents turned off automatically after the person leaves, saving energy while providing enough time for adequate ventilation. Your mirror too, can serve as the smart hub of your bathroom. Top picks include the Kohler Verdera smart mirror, which is enabled with the built-in Amazon Alexa and the Kohler Konnect smart systems. This mirror can function as an interactive screen while providing voice-activated controls for other compatible devices such as the bathtub, shower, toilet and lighting.