Features by Diane Larner, founder and editor of Bathroom Review & Kitchens Review.
Diane Larner launched both titles over 15 years ago and has been writing about the bathroom and kitchen interior design industries ever since, publishing regular features across both sectors.
According to Greenmatch, approximately 39% of UK households embraced home technology in 2024. Furthermore, the UK smart home market reached a staggering £3.1 billion in 2025, a 7% increase from 2023. As expected, water and energy conservation are leading the march, but consumers are also in the midst of a love affair with technology that enhances convenience and efficiency.
For house builders, developers and the design community, the smart money is on smart technology. Incorporating cutting-edge smart-home features into new builds can significantly boost property value. Homeowners, too, are reaping rewards – studies show a potential increase in property value of up to 5%*, a noteworthy margin in the highly competitive UK real estate market.
In this feature, Diane Larner examines the latest products to reach the market – from intelligent WC’s and showers to next-gen lighting and mirror solutions.
Connect & reflect
The integration of smart bathroom technology is a game-changer for architects and designers, as it requires the creation of spaces that are seamlessly connected, enhancing functionality and elevating the overall user experience. As today’s consumers continue to embrace the ‘Age of Alexa’, smart-enabled devices have become an integral part of everyday life. Put simply, the way we interact with our homes has undergone a transformation in recent years.
Karl Hallam, head of marketing at Sensio Lighting, explains, “Home automation is nothing new. It’s been around for almost 10 years now. What has changed is our behaviour and attitude towards smart-enabled homes.
“Smart technology and devices are far more mainstream. At Sensio Lighting, we’ve seen a demand shift in recent years, with our smart-enabled products almost doubling in sales. Lighting is no longer just on/off, with users now expecting to change between task and ambience lighting with simple voice command or home automation. This industry shift is exciting to be a part of, especially in an innovative, design-led business.”
The Luka Smart Mirror is more than just a mirror; it serves as a hands-free portal to a connected world. This mirror seamlessly integrates Amazon’s Alexa into your bathroom routine, with integrated LED lighting and touch-sensitive controls. The Luka Smart Mirror is also available as a bathroom cabinet and is designed in the UK, sold exclusively from Sensio.
The smart choice
Smart toilets are truly making their mark in the world of bathroom innovation and intelligent technology. The once-humble loo is now a frontrunner in bathroom technology, offering an array of features that deliver wellness and accessibility – think heated seats, bidet functions, self-cleaning capabilities, night lights, and even app integration.
On top of all that luxury, many smart toilets are designed with sustainability in mind. From an environmental perspective, they help conserve water thanks to adjustable flush settings and water-efficient systems. It’s a win-win for both comfort and the environment.
Martin Carroll, managing director, Duravit UK, agrees, “Smart toilets are redefining bathroom design – combining hygiene, sustainability, and tech-driven comfort. With features like touchless operation, personalised wash settings, and minimal water use, they offer a more efficient, eco-conscious alternative to traditional fixtures. Integrated dryers and rimless flushing enhance cleanliness, while app connectivity and user profiles bring a new level of convenience.
“Once a luxury, they’re now a smart lifestyle choice – meeting rising demand for wellness, design innovation, and connected living in residential and hospitality spaces.”
The Duravit SensoWash® range can be controlled via an app on your mobile. Engineered for comfort and connectivity, it offers intuitive features that elevate everyday routines from user-ID recognition to activate personalised wash settings (Rearwash, Ladywash, Comfortwash) to programmable seat heating.
Look on the light side
Installing ambient lighting in the bathroom space helps promote a sense of well-being, whilst delivering a touch of luxury. The latest tech-driven innovations are designed to seamlessly blend aesthetics and functionality, delivering an immersive experience alongside sophisticated illumination.
Zuma manufactures LED lights with integrated premium speakers that can be installed flush into your ceiling. The Zuma app includes ambient lighting controls with intensity and colour options. Zuma also lets users tune into their circadian rhythm with an added light feature that tracks the sun throughout the day. The system also streams music, podcasts, and audiobooks, and it has an IP65 rating to ensure safety in the bathroom.
Perfect persona
The UK bathroom industry accounts for a significant share of domestic water use, with bathrooms alone estimated to use 30-40% of a household’s total water use. Recent innovations in smart shower technology allow homeowners to monitor and calculate their water usage, providing an opportunity for developers to incorporate these technologies into new builds. And, the latest personalisation features mean users can create individual profiles for each family member, adding safety and convenience at the touch of a button.
Nigel Palmer, head of communications marketing at Aqualisa, comments, “The smart home is now part of everyday life, yet many people don’t realise how quickly this technology is transforming the bathroom. Smart showers are bringing precision, personalisation and sustainability together, offering greater control over water use and energy consumption. With features like app connectivity, voice activation and usage monitoring, smart bathrooms are enhancing comfort and convenience while supporting more efficient, environmentally responsible living. It’s an exciting evolution for both homeowners and the industry.”
Aqualisa’s latest smart showers deliver precision, personalisation and safety. The industry-leading Quartz range is simpler than ever to use, featuring an updated app that lets each household member create an individual shower profile. It can be voice-activated via Alexa or Google Assistant, or operated using a remote control, ensuring water is always at the desired temperature and flow rate.
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