The Rise of the Digital Bathroom
From touchless faucets and smart toilets to app-controlled showers, digital technology is revolutionising the modern bathroom—blending convenience, wellness, and sustainability into everyday routines like never before.
Bathroom technology is evolving rapidly, shifting from traditional knobs and levers to touch, push-button, and gesture-based controls. Once limited to commercial spaces, touchless technology is now making its way into private homes, improving convenience, safety, and accessibility for users of all ages.
Functions such as water flow regulation, temperature control, and spray adjustments are now integrated into push-button controls, eliminating the need for manual adjustments. These innovations enhance usability, particularly for older users or those with mobility limitations.
Digitalisation of Bathrooms
Digitalisation is reshaping product design in the bathroom sector, similar to advancements seen in the automotive industry. Intelligent features, from pre-set shower programs to app-controlled bathtubs, are redefining how users interact with their spaces. Bathroom lighting, too, is advancing, with LED technology enabling customisable ambient lighting for enhanced spatial quality.
Ranjeet Oak, MD, K&B South Asia, Kohler shares, “The most sought-after digital features in today’s bathroom products seamlessly blend functionality with indulgence. Intelligent toilets equipped with motion sensors, automated cleaning systems, and personalised settings for water temperature and pressure are gaining popularity, offering unmatched convenience and hygiene. Personalised wellness experiences are at the forefront, with innovations like adjustable water flow, intuitive temperature controls, and ambient lighting that adapts to moods or tasks. Some showers even include aromatherapy features, transforming daily routines into spa-like indulgences. With energy-efficient and water-saving innovations, these smart upgrades don’t just enhance daily routines—they make bathrooms more intuitive, sustainable, and downright futuristic.”
In fact, many manufacturers are integrating smart controls directly into vanities, mirrors, and fittings. Mirror cabinets now display weather updates, while app-connected bathtubs can be pre-filled remotely. Future developments will see more hidden sensors and interactive surfaces, turning glass, mineral cast, and other materials into control panels. Smart floors with embedded sensors may even detect falls and trigger alerts, improving safety for users.
Asutosh Shah, Managing Director, Duravit India adds, “Technology has revolutionised the bathroom experience, blending comfort with functionality in innovative ways. Modern mirrors, like those from the Happy D.2 Plus, and White Tulip series, offer advanced, user-friendly features such as contactless icon-based controls, customisable LED lighting from warm to cool, and fog-free mirror heating. With memory effects, app control, and synchronised lighting options through smart home systems like Casambi, these mirrors provide an elevated experience where aesthetics meet digital convenience.”
Asutosh Shah
Managing Director, Duravit India
“At Duravit, sustainability is not just a trend, it’s a commitment. We want to offer customers products that help reduce ecological footprint, save water and reduce CO2 emissions without compromising on comfort or style. ”
Focusing on Health and Wellness
Increased focus on health and wellness has been a key trend in the washroom space. Touchless technology has even entered the private bathroom spaces moving beyond the obvious candidates like the public and commercial bathrooms. Moreover, the digital controls are offering more precise temperature control than their manual counterparts. And, they are becoming preferred options in high-end luxury bathrooms.
Oak remarks, “At Kohler, we understand that the bathroom is no longer just a functional space—it’s a sanctuary for health and wellness. Digitalisation plays a pivotal role in enhancing this experience by providing solutions that prioritise comfort, hygiene, and overall well-being. For instance, our intelligent toilets, such as the Numi, offer advanced UV sanitisation, heated seats, and touchless operation, elevating both hygiene and comfort for a truly health-conscious environment.”
The Anthem Digital Showering System enables users to precisely control water temperature, pressure, and flow, creating a tailored shower experience that fosters relaxation and stress relief. “Additionally, our smart mirrors like the Ming Mirror, equipped with an integrated magnifying mirror, LED lighting with proximity sensors, and a defogging feature, enhance grooming routines and support wellness. These digital innovations are designed to transform the bathroom into a personalised wellness hub,” informs Oak.
Shah asserts that digitalisation is enhancing health and wellness in the washroom with intuitive features focused on hygiene and comfort. “The Sensowash Starck f shower-toilet, designed by Philippe Starck, integrates technology seamlessly, allowing users to adjust spray intensity, water, and seat temperature through a remote or app. The Sensowash Starck f Plus model includes customisable settings for up to five user profiles, along with control over flushing and odour extraction when paired with the A2 electronic actuator plate. This user-friendly, app-compatible design exemplifies Duravit’s commitment to combining hygiene, personalisation, and digital ease.”
Addressing Sustainability Through Digitalisation
There is a growing demand for eco-conscious or sustainable products that reduce water and energy usage in the bathrooms – especially in the high-end segment. Faucets and showers play a crucial role in minimising resource usage and cutting consumption costs. Digital technologies like touchless tech can help here too!
Shah emphasises, “At Duravit, sustainability is not just a trend, it’s a commitment. We want to offer customers products that help reduce ecological footprint, save water and reduce CO2 emissions without compromising on comfort or style. As a next step in our sustainability journey, we are pleased to introduce faucets combining Freshstart and the Minusflow features. This enables one to reduce both water and energy consumption simultaneously, benefiting the environment while also cutting down on expenses.”
Explaining how this is achieved, he adds, “Faucets with Freshstart function start in the middle setting with cold water. Only when the user consciously moves it to the left, hot water is added. This reduces energy consumption and thus lowers energy costs and CO2 emissions. With a flow rate of 5.5 l/min, Duravit faucets use hot water and energy sparingly. Even more economical are the faucets with Minusflow, where the flow rate is limited to 3.5 l/min, lowering water consumption by up to 40% compared to conventional faucets. The electronic faucets from the Sensor 1 series are hygienic, sustainable and cost-saving thanks to the infrared sensor and the feature that automatically stops the water flow after use. They work particularly well in public or semi-public areas thanks to their contactless operation.”
Oak shares, “At Kohler, we believe that sustainability is at the heart of innovation, and our digitalisation efforts are designed to reduce environmental impact while enhancing the bathroom experience. Our smart products are equipped with water-saving technologies such as touchless sensors and smart faucets that automatically regulate water flow, minimising waste without compromising performance.”
He further adds, “The Anthem Digital Showering System allows users to control water flow and temperature with precision, reducing water usage and energy consumption. Our intelligent toilets like Veil feature water-efficient flushing systems, such as the Dual Flush technology, which provides the option for a lower flush, conserving water with every use. Additionally, many of our products, including smart mirrors and LED lighting, are designed to be energy-efficient, reducing electricity consumption. By integrating these technologies, we are making bathrooms smarter and more sustainable, promoting a healthier planet alongside a healthier lifestyle.”
Ranjeet Oak
Managing Director, K&B South Asia, Kohler
“At Kohler, we understand that the bathroom is no longer just a functional space. For instance, our intelligent toilets, such as the Numi, offer advanced UV sanitisation, heated seats, and touchless operation, elevating both hygiene and comfort. ”
Individualisation Through Customisation
Individualisation through customisation is a key demand from modern-day consumers. The users in the luxury segment not only want features, functionality and convenience but they demand the products to operate as per their liking. Digitalisation, through the use of various sensors and app-based control, make it possible for bath-products manufacturers to offer these customisations catering to individual preferences and lifestyles.
“We understand that modern consumers value personalisation, and our smart bathroom products are designed to cater to individual preferences and lifestyles. For example, our Anthem Digital Showering System offers customisable settings for water temperature, pressure, and flow, allowing each user to create their ideal shower experience. Additionally, the system can store multiple user presets, so everyone in the household can enjoy their preferred settings with just the touch of a button,” shares Oak.
He further adds that Kohler’s intelligent toilets, such as the Numi, take personalisation to the next level with features like adjustable seat temperatures, customised bidet settings, and ambient lighting that can be tailored to suit different moods or times of day. “The Ming Mirror also offers customisation options with integrated LED lighting that adjusts for brightness based on proximity and defogging features, ensuring a perfect reflection no matter the time of day.”
Shah informs, “The D.1e faucet by Duravit, designed with Matteo Thun and Antonio Rodriguez, combines elegant design with customisable, high-tech features for a personalised user experience. The touch-sensitive control with an LED colour ring allows easy temperature adjustment, visually displaying temperatures from blue to red. Users can save up to three preferred temperatures with Quick Access, while an electronic thermostat maintains the set temperature. Additional features, including scald protection, water flow limits, and adjustable LED lighting, allow the D.1e to cater to specific lifestyle preferences with safety and convenience.”
Balancing Innovation with Simplicity
While going high-tech can offer added functionality and convenience, it may also lead to complexity, especially for those who aren’t tech-savvy. Moreover, simplicity has its own appeal! Therefore, it’s necessary not to compromise on the simplicity of usage.
Oak agrees, “Balancing innovation with simplicity is key to creating an inclusive bathroom experience. To ensure ease of use for all age groups and tech proficiency levels, we focus on intuitive design and user-friendly interfaces. Features like one-touch controls, pre-set options, and voice or app-based commands are designed to be straightforward and accessible.”
He further adds, “For those less comfortable with technology, manual overrides and simple instructions are integrated into the products. Additionally, we prioritise seamless functionality, ensuring that advanced features enhance convenience without adding complexity, creating a harmonious blend of innovation and simplicity that caters to diverse user needs.”
Shah emphasises, “Our diverse product range is designed to cater to all budgets and lifestyles while accompanying individuals through various stages of life. When developing new products, we place a strong emphasis on enhancing comfort for every user. This involves carefully considering the unique needs of different age groups, such as ease of use and clear symbol legibility. A prime example is our innovative shower toilet remote control, designed with a slim, ergonomic profile for comfortable handling. Its intuitive functionality ensures ease of operation for all users. Additionally, app-based control is available, appealing to a younger, tech-savvy audience.”
The Future of Digitalisation in Bathrooms
The future of digital technology in bathrooms is incredibly promising, with a strong focus on enhancing personalisation, sustainability, and overall wellness. “We foresee a time when the bathroom becomes a central hub in a connected, health-conscious home, where smart devices work harmoniously together to deliver highly customised, intuitive experiences that cater to individual needs,” predicts Oak.
He further adds, “At Kohler, we are constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation by integrating artificial intelligence, IoT (Internet of Things), and advanced sensors into our products. In the near future, we anticipate even more intelligent toilets and smart shower systems that will not only prioritise hygiene and comfort but also offer valuable insights into personal wellness, seamlessly syncing with your smart home ecosystem. Alongside these advancements, sustainability remains a core focus, with new solutions aimed at minimising water and energy consumption while maintaining the luxury and performance our customers expect.”
Clearly, the next generation of digital bathroom technology promises to transform the space into a highly personalised, efficient, and wellness-enhancing environment. As bathrooms become more digitally integrated, architects and designers must consider not just aesthetics but also the underlying infrastructure. The surfaces no longer will remain surface, but will be hosting the interfaces of the digital technology with multiple sensors and buttons being embedded in the ceramics. Therefore, this shift toward smart bathrooms requires planning for electrical and connectivity needs, ensuring seamless integration of these evolving technologies.