Smart Tech Archives

The smart tech revolution

November 30, 2023

Features by Diane Larner founder and editor of Bathroom Review & Kitchens Review.
Diane Larner launched both titles over 12 years ago and has been writing about the bathroom and kitchen interior design industry ever since, publishing regular features across the two sectors.

According to new research released this week by Readly, one in ten Brits report using smart home technology every hour of their day. The latest stats indicate a wholesale shift towards a connected home lifestyle, with a third (37 per cent) of UK households owning at least one smart home device to manage tasks such as security, lighting and heating, and kitchen appliances.

Unsurprisingly, the home technology industry is moving apace when it comes to new, innovative smart design. Consumers are keen to save water and energy whilst personalising interior spaces by integrating music and lighting into every room. This opens up opportunities for bathroom manufacturers.

Lee Robinson, product manager for residential fittings at Ideal Standard agrees, “Bathroom trends are continuously evolving and when it comes to today’s ‘smart bathrooms’, that’s no different. End-users are increasingly looking to technology to help make their bathroom space work harder for them.”

Statement lighting

Bathroom Review Liprotec Schluter Systems Lighting

Lighting is no longer simply a practicality, and the trend for customisable mood lighting is emerging as a key consideration when designing a bathroom. In 2024, we expect to see an increase in innovative lighting displays that interact with the bathroom design to deliver on-trend accent lighting.

Encompassing the latest LED technology, Schlüter’s LIPROTEC-LED creates restful lighting for relaxing spaces or bright, colourful lighting for busy family bathrooms. Enabled with Bluetooth/wireless receivers, light colours are selected via remote control or Bluetooth-compatible smartphones and tablets. Specifically designed for the bathroom, Schlüter-LIPROTEC-EASY is the company’s simple plug-and-play version, which comes with matching power supply units up to 100W.

Comfort & cleanliness

Shower toilets are increasing in popularity in the UK. A recent report by the European Bidet Seats & Shower Toilets Market study predicts sales of shower toilets will grow by 8% and indicates a cultural change in hygiene habits.

Martin Carroll, managing director for Duravit, agrees and comments, “Shower-toilets in combination with rimless technology are the next big idea for bathrooms. The open design of the WC rim enables an innovative and effective flush even at low water volumes (4.5 litres) and makes for transparent, easy cleaning. Despite not being a traditional market for bidets, shower toilets are growing in popularity in the UK for reasons of age, culture and general enhanced comfort.”

Duravit’s SensoWash® D-Neo lets users configure options via remote control for three shower flow types through a user ID in the seat. Timings for seat heating can also be individually configured. Its attractive price point means it is ideally suited to the requirements of the project sector and price-conscious developers.

Spa-light, spa-bright

Bringing light and colour into the bathroom, Ideal Standard’s Solos shower range features an integrated colour-changing ambient light in the overhead shower, which creates a relaxing atmosphere for the ultimate spa-like shower experience. Users can customise the colour and brightness of the LED to match their mood, thanks to built-in smart technology that integrates with any smart home app, such as Philips Hue or Amazon Echo.

Lee Robinson, product manager for residential fittings at Ideal Standard comments, “Smart technology is key to home evolution, giving people the ability to personalise their environment – from showerheads with integrated ambient LED lighting like our Solos range to wireless speakers and shower settings that can be controlled with the touch of a smartphone button.”

Bathroom brand Laufen is also embracing smart technology and has launched a new version of the Val bath (pictured left) that harnesses the power of light and colour to promote well-being and bring chromotherapy – traditionally offered by hotel spas – into the guest bathroom to enhance the user’s experience.

The redesigned model was recently on display at HIX and has a translucent structure through which an LED panel projects different light settings according to mood.

LAUFEN also presented its new shower system prototype. Designed in collaboration with Andreas Dimitriadis of Platinum Design, the shower system offers the ultimate spa experience to hotel guests thanks to a 12-inch touchscreen display integrated into the shower for the first time.

Taking remote control

Dialling in your requirements is one of the most celebrated aspects of the smart home and brings luxury and convenience to daily life. Aqualisa’s Quartz Smart Showers combines personalised showering with a range of advantages that enhance the user’s experience. For example, users can start their shower remotely using Alexa or Google Assistant or the remote control via Wi-Fi. A clear LED display indicates when the shower is ready – there’s no need to lean in and test the water. A bath fill option allows remote selection of the water temperature and level.

Jessica Clarke, head of channel marketing at Aqualisa, reasons, “With more than 30 million smart meters installed in the UK and nearly half of all adults under 65 owning a smart speaker (Alexa or Google Assistant), the understanding of smart technology and the benefits it brings to our lives is increasing rapidly. There is now an opportunity for bathroom manufacturers and installers to deliver the next generation of connected bathroom solutions to enhance not only showering functionality and performance, but also wellbeing and sustainability.”

END

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Schlüter-LIPROTEC shines a light on interior design

November 19, 2023

Schlüter-Systems has strengthened its portfolio of bathroom systems for the UK domestic market through the availability of advanced control light technology which enhances aesthetics whilst also offering almost unlimited creative choice.

Encompassing the latest LED technology, Schlüter-LIPROTEC creates restful lighting for relaxing spaces, or bright, colourful lighting for a busy family bathroom or kitchen.

Schlüter-LIPROTEC has a broad range of applications, from direct or indirect lighting effects, enabling the interior designer, architect or property owner to illuminate feature walls, pictures, tiled areas such as shower enclosures or study spaces, kitchen countertops and stairways; in fact, anywhere the creative mind can conceive a plan for.

The collection offers the option of neutral white, warm white or RGB+W LEDs; the latter allowing for coloured and white LEDS on a single strip, to generate coloured light or temperature-controllable white light, which can be selected from 2500 K to 6500 K. The system can be programmed to deliver a choice of 16 million colours via a Bluetooth app and remote control.

Suitable for moisture-prone areas such as kitchens, bathrooms and showers, the LED strips are completely encapsulated and conform to IP67 protection rating. Schlüter-LIPROTEC-EASY is the company’s simple plug-and-play version which comes with matching power supply units up to 100W.

The Schlüter-LIPROTEC-PRO series, meanwhile, is geared towards professional installers and offers bespoke lighting solutions. The LED modules are available either with a fixed white-light colour temperature of 3000 K or 4900 K, or with the full RGB+W colour range.

Schlüter-KERDI-BOARD-NLT units are stylish niche sets fabricated from the company’s KERDI-BOARD and featuring plug-and-play LIPROTEC-LED technology. They can be used to create illuminated recesses and storage surfaces for all kinds of wall areas and are enabled with Bluetooth/wireless receivers. The various light colours can also be selected via the supplied remote control or suitable Bluetooth-compatible smartphones and tablets.

The lighting collection embraces the company’s extensive range of bathroom finishing solutions and, when deciding on the multiple variations of lighting, Schlüter-Systems’ customer services team is on hand to offer project and technical support with CAD detail. For those still seeking ideas for their project, Schlüter-Systems has published a brochure covering all on-trend accent lighting solutions, while Virtual Worlds can be accessed online to browse the myriad lighting options available.

With more than 2,300 employees and seven offices across Europe and North America, Schlüter-Systems is the world’s largest and most innovative manufacturer of system solutions for the function, protection and decoration of tiles and natural stone flooring. Schluter-Systems in the UK offers a very wide product portfolio including the Schluter-KERDI range of waterproofing, the versatile tile backerboard KERDI-BOARD and its underfloor heating solutions, DITRA-HEAT and BEKOTEC-THERM.

For further information, call 01530 813396 or visit https://www.schluter.co.uk/ to download the bathroom brochure here.

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Shower design for the way we live today

November 23, 2022

Features by Diane Larner founder and editor of Bathroom Review & Kitchens Review.
Diane Larner launched both titles over 12 years ago and has been writing about the bathroom and kitchen interior design industry ever since, publishing regular features across the two sectors.

Designing a shower room demands a detailed analysis of its impact on the environment and its longevity. Every aspect of a new project calls for consideration, from its unavoidable imprint on the world around us to its ‘well-being or usability gauge’ for the end user.

Today we consider some of the options on the market, from accessible shower rooms to eco-design and space-saving options.

Future-proofing

Gone are the days of the unsightly handrail; today’s designers can incorporate inclusive features from the outset. For hotel design, some of the latest chameleonic options mean hotel rooms may be used as multi-purpose zones, quickly switched to aid clients that require accessibility, to all-purpose spaces when demand is high. For the home, features such as level-access shower trays and walk-in enclosures deliver design-led versatility for all users.

Stephen Maley, UK sales director, HEWI UK Ltd, explains: “Floor-level showers are very much in vogue at the moment, especially in accessible washrooms. They are accessible and, with the right floor space, also enable wheelchair users to shower independently.”

Extending independence further, HEWI’s newly launched seat family offers increased comfort and safety in the shower and the entire washroom. Its design is based on the well-known 950 stool and features a new, modern design language.

We are also seeing an increase in collections that offer a range of accessible products that work together in harmony, thus making it easier to create a cohesive, aesthetic design. Stephen Maley agrees: “It is not only the floor-level shower that makes the shower accessible; shower seats, grab rail, and many other products make a significant contribution to creating accessibility in showers.”

Mixing it up

Energy and water-saving features are fast becoming fundamental to the design toolkit; products that efficiently help set water flow and temperature are in demand, not only for environmental reasons but also for personal safety, especially in multi-generational settings.

The German-engineered Navigo® technology from Ideal Standard features a simple push-and-turn movement to control water flow at your preselected temperature. This innovative temperature safety technology adds to the user’s well-being by automatically adjusting the flow of hot or cold water if pressure spikes or is lost. Meanwhile, the Cool Body technology works like a protective shield, keeping the controls and body cool to the touch despite the interior flow of hot water.

The continued popularity of complete shower systems is also because they offer a one-stop shop for designers who wish to incorporate various optional showering products, such as hand-held showers or overhead showers.

Ashley Smith, product manager (UK), residential brassware at Ideal Standard, explains: “Further flexibility is afforded for housebuilders and end users through shower systems with rain showers and hand sprays that allow end users to change between spraying modes for further customisation. Shower systems can also be paired with baths where space allows, giving the bathroom a diverse range of options while being cheaper than getting a new built-in shower installed.”

Guiding lights

shower design Lakes — Lakes
Ambient light-up walk-in

Lighting changes our perception of space, and whilst brighter lights make us more alert, ambient lighting is diffused equally throughout the room, creating a sense of calm. With ‘cocooning’ having more than just a moment in the ‘trends chatter’; we are seeing an increase in showering options that provide gentle, ambient surroundings.

Mike Gahir, managing director of Lakes Showering Spaces, agrees: “Once considered a functional space, bathrooms have become private sanctuaries designed for mindfulness and relaxation. The quest to turn the home bathroom into a spa isn’t particularly new in itself but will be something we are likely to see more of next year. 2023 bathroom trends predict a move towards opening up bathroom spaces, removing bathtubs and replacing with larger, walk-in showers that ooze luxury with the addition of brass, copper and gold features for a subtle hint of colour and interest.”

Ingeniously designed to offer a calming, soothing and tranquil shower experience, the unique Ambient Walk-In from Lakes Showering Spaces (pictured above) features a PIR motion sensor that triggers a built-in LED lighting system along the edge of the glass panel, emitting a low-level soft glow.

Frameless chic

Kudos pinnacle 8 shower design — Kudos Pinnacle8 Shower Enclosure

As UK homes are becoming smaller, omitting the bath is one way to make the most out of a reduced floor area. Where there is enough space for a bath, walk-in showers, frameless designs or quadrant options, all help give the illusion of a larger floor space.

Kudos Showers is introducing some superbly stylish frameless, low-level access additions to its Pinnacle8 Shower enclosure collection. These stunning frameless models maximise space and light and include hinged and quadrant functionality in matt black and chrome profiles.

Personal choice

Kudos P8 Frameless Quad — Kudos Pinnacle8

Increasinlgy designers are asked to create bespoke compositions catering to individual styles and awkward or unusual shapes and sizes, such as sloping ceilings, cellar, and loft conversions. Manufacturers are, in turn, offering a vast array of choices regarding colour, finish, size and shape.

Nick Graville, sales & marketing director at UK manufacturer Kudos Shower Products, tells us: “Personalisation is the buzzword for bathroom design today and the choice of products has never been larger to facilitate it. This is certainly true in Showering where latest trends include a greater choice of enclosure profile finishes reflecting the metallic colourways popular in taps and showers.”

i.life S from Ideal Standard has a contemporary, space-saving, soft-square design and includes a range of products, including shower trays. i.life S complements smaller spaces and is perfect for ensuites and under-the-stairs bathrooms.

Staying grounded

Kaldewei Superplan Zero Milieu shower design — Kaldewei Superplan Zero

As we become more climate-aware, purchasing decisions are under scrutiny. A 2021 survey carried out by Leaders Romans Group (LRG) revealed that 70% of respondents across the UK would like their property to be more eco-friendly. Whilst YouGov research of 2,000 UK adults found that 52% of us inform our purchase decisions based on brands’ eco-credentials. For designers, products with sustainable credentials are undoubtedly a new necessity.

Adam Teal, Kaldewei UK agrees, “Classic style, quality workmanship and longevity within a circular economy is key, more than ever before specifiers are looking for elements that can be re-used, reworked and recycled.”

Kaldewei manufactures its sanitaryware using Bluemint steel reducing its carbon output by 70 per cent and enabling it to produce luxurious, sustainable bathroom solutions. The Superplan Zero is flat to the floor, with zero steps and zero edges making it ideal for bathrooms in both the hotel and hospitality sector as well as for homebuilders.

For the latest kitchen design features – visit Kitchens Review

* YouGov Survey

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Staying smart – design ideas for easy living

October 18, 2022

Features by Diane Larner founder and editor of Bathroom Review & Kitchens Review.
Diane Larner launched both titles over 12 years ago and has been writing about the bathroom and kitchen interior design industry ever since, publishing regular features across the two sectors.

With energy and water usage taking centre stage in every household, it is no surprise smart technology is cementing its role as a must-have household essential. For the bathroom, products that incorporate smart technology are part of the sustainable toolkit and an asset for nurturing our well-being.

Today we consider some options available to the market, from water-saving designs to app-controlled bathroom cabinets and ambient Bluetooth lighting.

App-y days

Smart technology Elisa — Elisa Bathrooms
Intuition brushed brass bath digital showers

The latest mobile app usage statistics tell us there are 2.7 million apps now available on the Google Play Store and that 49% of people will open an app 11+ times a day. With these phenomenal stats showing no signs of abating, what does it mean for bathroom design?

We asked Paul Bailey, leader of product management, LIXIL EMENA and GROHE UK, who explained how interacting with technology will help generate business for the industry, especially in the luxury sector.

Paul comments: “The modern homeowner’s desire for a connected, smart home in which various aspects of their life can be monitored, tracked, and organised via their smartphone is generating lots of sales in the bathroom industry.

“As wellness and personal wellbeing take centre stage, we have seen the popularity for smart shower toilets and luxury connected showers increase significantly. Smart products can really amplify the sense of wellbeing for the consumer due to much greater personalisation features, so consumers can create a bathroom experience that can be truly tailored to their individual needs and tastes.”

Elisa’s Intuition and Incite smart digital showers are good examples; both feature a ShowerMe Smart App, so each household member can create their profile. Seamless connectivity with smart home systems allows the showers to be voice-controlled with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.

Saving water & energy

Smart design VitrA — VitrA Bathrooms – Smart Panel Flushplate & V-Care Prime Shower Toilet

When it comes to sustainable design, products that help the consumer manage consumption are clearly important in the current climate. Traditionally consumers have found it difficult to understand why they should change habits, but the rise of the smart meter, coupled with the energy crisis, has helped customers understand how much individual usage impacts the wallet. Smart shower technology dovetails in with this technology, extending visibility over energy and water use.

AO.com’s data reporting shows that searches for smart thermostats have increased by a staggering 140% MoM as people look for ways to stay on top of their energy consumption AO.com’s smart home expert, Kevin Walmsley, said: “With popular models such as the Hive and tado°, many Brits are looking into ways in which they can control their heating at the touch of a button on their smart phones.”

Joe Brawn, head of product management at Elisa, agrees: “Smart digital technology not only allows user personalisation, but greater visibility of water consumption, which – in this current environment – is front of mind for so many. Compromised shower experiences are not desirable, but providing the data to allow people to manage their shower experience via understanding time and water usage is key.”

VitrA’s smart panel flushplate utilises an app that records usage data from the day of installation – it has regular reporting features that allow households to see their weekly water usage and identify how they can be more efficient. The app also relays local water announcements and power updates to aid in better management of flushing systems.

Light up my life

Utilising smart lighting in the bathroom lets designers set the stage for various bathroom routines, helping create a versatile backdrop that works with any mood, be it gentle lighting for bathtime or perky lighting for personal grooming.

Piero de Marchis, director of Detail Lighting, tells us: “From a practical point of view it’s wise to opt for low-level lighting in the bathroom, ideally on a movement sensor as this means you won’t be blinded by bright overhead lighting at night time. If you’re able to, incorporate Bluetooth control lighting into your bathroom, this allows you to easily control the light level or set the ‘scene’ depending on whether it’s the kids’ bathroom or you are in pampering mode”.

Stay tuned

Sound Cabinet HiB Smart design — HiB Sound Cabinet

Technology and entertainment are integrated into all our living spaces, and the bathroom is no exception. Having access to your favourite playlist in every room of the house is achieved via the latest technology. Hib’s latest Sound cabinet uses integrated speakers and Bluetooth connectivity so users can easily enjoy their best-loved music, podcasts and audiobooks.

Smart reflections

Duravit also delivers a range of smart mirrors* operated by the Casambi light-control app. Designed to help create a pleasant atmosphere in the bathroom, customers can create and save scenes, such as extra-soft lighting for some spa downtime. Light temperature with a memory effect, mirror heating, or dim function is easy to control via the app.

*White Tulip & Zencha

Pictured Top: Elisa Intuition smart digital shower

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Soak up your favourite music with HiB’s new ‘Sound bathroom cabinet’

October 6, 2022

Leading supplier HiB has unveiled the new ‘Sound cabinet’, which brings the latest music technology to the bathroom.

Using integrated speakers and Bluetooth connectivity, users can enjoy their best-loved music, podcasts and audiobooks with ease. Boasting fantastic sound quality and simple operation, the ‘Sound cabinet’ enhances bathroom entertainment effortlessly.

Charging devices is also easy, thanks to integrated USB and 2 pin charging sockets, located inside Sound’s soft-close mirrored doors, which offer stunning LED illumination and include heated pads to reduce condensation on the mirrored surface.

Ash Chilver, Sales Director at HiB said: “Sound offers the perfect blend of clean, elegant design and technology that customers are looking for. Being able to listen to music in excellent quality whilst the bathroom is a real advantage, there’s no need for wires or additional speakers.

“Sound also has a clean, minimalist design that really showcases LED illumination at its finest. The lighting is operated using a touch switch on the side of the cabinet and because of the mirrored surfaces, the cabinet will suit any bathroom aesthetic.”

To maximise storage, Sound features adjustable glass shelving, to accommodate most everyday essentials. The cabinet is available in three sizes 50cm, 60cm and 80cm with the larger options featuring a central divide to enhance useability even further.

For more information about the new Sound cabinet, visit https://www.hib.co.uk/product/hib-sound-cabinet/

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Elisa Intuition & Incite smart digital showers with app-control

September 3, 2022

Elisa Intuition and Incite smart digital showers both feature a ShowerMe Smart App so each member of the household can create their own profile. Seamless connectivity with smart home systems allows the showers to be voice-controlled with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.

Personalisation settings also provide greater visibility of water usage to promote sustainable living. The ShowerMe Smart App means users have the ability to select the duration of the shower, helping to save water and energy, while an easy-to-use dashboard gives the homeowner a clear picture of individual usage and can monitor the volume of water being consumed by the family each day.

Elisa smart showers can be started remotely from anywhere via a Wi-Fi connection, meaning water is always guaranteed to be at the right temperature as the user steps in. Furthermore, a bath fill option ensures the bath is filled to the perfect temperature and level every time, without the need to watch and wait. Providing simple on/off operation, a convenient wireless remote control is included, and with Intuition, a motion-controlled proximity sensor activates the shower automatically when the user steps in.

Powered by Elisa’s SmartValve™ technology, Elisa showers offer a wealth of options for installation in any bathroom size, shape or configuration. The SmartValve also allows the maximum temperature of the shower to be set for added safety, and the flow rate switched to ‘Eco’ mode to reduce water usage further (by up to 33%).

An array of different options are available across the Intuition and Incite series, with a choice of fixed drencher head, adjustable handset and bath fill features. All models are fitted as concealed shower units for a discreet and elegant finish. Incite is available in a chrome colourway, while Intuition comes in a choice of chrome, matt black or brushed brass. Each model comes with a five-year guarantee, for full peace of mind.

Joe Brawn, head of product management for Elisa, commented, “Elisa has been an exciting journey for us to bring a bold vision to life. We have worked closely with our premium showroom customers and listened to installers and homeowners alike. We believe that the future of showering is not only powered by products that provide data to the user via digital technology, encouraging new routines to reduce showering times, but also products that are engineered to last. The serviceability of our showers provides homeowners with the opportunity to make a greater impact, and for the installer, the premium products they are proud to put their reputation to.”

For more information on the range, please visit: https://www.elisabathrooms.com/

Pricing and availability
For pricing and more information, please contact the Elisa Customer Support Team on 01959 560003.

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Elisa™ premium shower brand launches in the UK

April 12, 2022

Elisa™, a new premium bathroom brand, has launched in the UK. First to be unveiled in the Elisa collection will be a range of heritage-style mixer showers and smart digital showers.

Smart shower technology brings enhanced wellbeing to owners through its personalisation settings while providing greater visibility of water usage to promote sustainable living.

Elisa Intuition™ and Incite™ smart digital showers
Intuition and Incite smart digital showers promise to offer an exceptional family-orientated showering experience. With the accompanying ShowerMe™ Smart App, every member of the household can create their own personal profile for a fully tailored shower routine. Voice control through their existing smart home system means seamless connectivity with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.

Elisa smart digital showers can be started remotely from anywhere over Wi-Fi, with the reassurance that the water is at the precisely desired temperature at all times. Furthermore, a bath fill option ensures the bath is filled to the perfect temperature and level every time, without the need to watch and wait. Providing simple on/off operation, a convenient wireless remote control is included, and with Intuition, a motion-controlled proximity sensor activates the shower automatically when the user steps in.

The ShowerMe Smart App means, users have the ability to select the duration of the shower, helping to save water and energy, while an easy-to-use dashboard gives the homeowner a clear picture of individual usage and can monitor the volume of water being consumed by the family each day.

Powered by Elisa’s SmartValve™ technology, Elisa showers offer a wealth of options for installation in any bathroom size, shape or configuration. The SmartValve also allows the maximum temperature of the shower to be set for added safety, and the flow rate switched to ‘Eco’ mode to reduce water usage further (by up to 33%).

An array of different options are available across the Intuition and Incite series, with a choice of fixed drencher head, adjustable handset and bath fill features. All models are fitted as concealed shower units for a discreet and elegant finish. Incite is available in a chrome colourway, while Intuition comes in a choice of chrome, matt black or brushed brass. Each model comes with a five-year guarantee, for full peace of mind.

Elisa Valenteena™ heritage mixer shower collection
Launching at the same time as Intuition and Incite, the Valenteena mixer shower from Elisa adds a touch of heritage luxury to any bathroom environment. Timelessly beautiful in its styling, and built from solid brass and the highest quality components, this premium shower delivers proven reliability and ultimate durability.

Tim Creedon, sales director for Elisa, commented, “Elisa has been an exciting journey for us to bring a bold vision to life. We have worked closely with our premium showroom customers and listened to installers and homeowners alike. We believe that the future of showering is not only powered by products that provide data to the user via digital technology, encouraging new routines to reduce showering times, but also products that are engineered to last. The serviceability of our showers provides homeowners with the opportunity to make a greater impact, and for the installer, the premium products they are proud to put their reputation to.”

Further products in the Elisa collection will be announced over the coming months. For more information on the range, please visit: https://www.elisabathrooms.com/

Pricing and availability
Elisa Intuition, Incite and Valenteena will be available from premier bathroom showrooms from April 2022.

For pricing and more information, please contact the Elisa Customer Support Team on 01959 560003.

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HiB expands best-selling Exos cabinet range

April 11, 2022

Bathroom brand HiB has expanded its best-selling Exos range to include an impressive 120cm width option. The elegantly designed cabinet offers delicate, precision illumination around the edge of each door, that is operated using a touch-free sensor switch. This along with the ambient underlighting, helps to bring the bathroom to life, reflecting the surrounding décor to integrate the cabinet into the complete look.

A gentle giant in the bathroom, the 120cm Exos offers sleek, understated style that is well suited to a range of trends from structured, industrial designs to playful and bright aesthetics. The cabinet also contains an integrated heated pad beneath the mirrored doors, which ensures that condensation is reduced on the surface and visibility is maintained.

But it’s not just the outside which offers impressive technology. The Exos cabinet also features a range of solutions for charging, such as an integrated USB socket and 2 pin charging point. Shavers and electric toothbrushes can be kept on the handy removable ‘keep-clean’ mat kept inside the cabinet, which aids hygiene and cleaning.

HiB Sales Director Ash Chilver said: “The 120cm Exos cabinet offers all the key technology and style features our customers know and love, but in a grand size that can completely transform the space. It has been designed to complement a double vanity unit with dual basins and is ideal for storing all the bathroom essentials you could need.

“We’ve found that the larger mirrors and cabinets are popular with customers looking to enjoy the best of both worlds, ample storage and statement styling to suit their design. Often it has been paired with the HiB Novum Aeon and Blend ranges with our Eden basins to create a sleek, contemporary look.”

For more information about the Exos 120 range visit www.hib.co.uk, where you can also download the latest brochures.

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Smart bathroom design

October 25, 2021

Integrating smart features into our homes is becoming part of the new normal as more of us work from home. The smart homes market was valued at around $80 billion in 2020, and it is expected to exceed $300 billion by 2026.

With UK householders dramatically increasing the number of smart devices they own, it makes sense for us to integrate smart living into the bathroom. For housebuilders, incorporating connected technology at build level might be a smart move in more ways than one, as demonstrated this year by Plant Prefab. The US prefab construction company announced its highest profit ever in 2020.

Mike Simpson, product & marketing director at Aqualisa agrees “There are currently 15 million households that own a smart home device, with predictions suggesting growth to 24 million by 2025. Smart technology is making homes more efficient and cheaper to run: reducing energy consumption, saving money, decreasing environmental impact and delivering a more personalised experience. “

All systems go

Scavolini smarter living — Scavolini Dandy Bathroom Furniture with built-in Alexa

Alexa is now a familiar feature in our kitchen and living areas, however, Scavolini has gone one step further and updated its popular Dandy bathroom furniture range with a smart built-in Amazon Alexa. Not only can you now talk to your home, but your virtual assistant is seamlessly integrated into its design via the Task Bar, an aluminium profile that incorporates smart technology.

Appropiate behaviour

According to UWLA, bathroom products are at the heart of water consumption in the home, with over 60% of water being used in the bathroom (20% accounted for by showers), and 25% of energy used heating hot water.

Helping to conserve water use in the bathroom, Aqualisa’s next-generation Quartz Touch™ smart shower includes an intuitive, easy-to-use mobile app. Families can use the Aqualisa app to control shower duration and monitor individual usage, therefore limiting water consumption and costs. Furthermore, a proximity sensor reduces water flow if the user steps away from the shower.

“With more than 2 billion litres of water used each day in the UK and an expected increase in demand of 30% over the next 20 years, sustainability has become a key priority in the bathroom industry. Combined with the rapid adoption of technology, this is resulting in the emergence of smart home devices that can both enhance consumers’ wellbeing and contribute to a more eco-friendly lifestyle.” continues Mike Simpson, product & marketing director, Aqualisa.

Keep it clean

Smart technology is dovetailing with a new focus on hygiene as manufacturers integrate touch-free features for frequently used bathroom areas such as guest bathrooms. Sensor-activated products that you don’t have to touch with your hands help us feel more comfortable and enhance hygiene levels.

TOTO is one such company and is offering more touch-free functionalities for its shower toilets (WASHLET™), taps, soap dispenser and automatic hand dryers.

Mirror image

The bathroom is no longer simply a functional space, but a place to rejuvenate and refresh. Light and sound are key design elements when it comes to creating a safe haven, however smart technology also ensures that all-important connectivity. The latest technology means every aspect can be smartly integrated so there is no need to compromise on any single element.

Ash Chilver, HiB Sales Director agrees “As bathrooms become more of a multipurpose space, somewhere that we go to relax and unwind as well as for our hygiene needs, having access to technology is becoming more important. By using and interacting with products featuring technology such as integrated speakers, Bluetooth and charging ports, we can stay connected and enhance our experience and overall enjoyment of the bathroom.”

Teeming with useful technology, the Dimension LED Bluetooth Speaker cabinet (pictured top and below) offers a number of features that enhance the user experience in the bathroom. The cabinet’s dual aspect LED illumination is operated via a handy touch sensor that highlights the design on the mirrored sides and doors. Hidden discreetly within the mirror surface is a heated pad that helps to reduce condensation, and inside the cabinet, the two handy USB ports and a 2 pin socket allows users to charge their devices, toothbrushes and shavers.

Article by Diane Larner

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TOTO delivers touch-free tech in the bathroom

October 25, 2021

Delivering greater hygiene and cleanliness, TOTO has new touch-free solutions designed especially for the bathroom.

It is now understood the fewer things that you need to touch by hand, the better. Touch-free taps and hand dryers were once reserved for public washrooms yet are now becoming more common in peoples homes.

TOTO has designed a variety of solutions for the bathroom that will elevate your standards of hygiene: In addition to several WASHLET models with automatic flush options, the Japanese sanitaryware company offers touch-free taps, soap dispensers, hand dryers and washbasins with especially dirt-resistant ceramic surfaces.

Touch-free features are especially welcome in frequently used guest bathrooms. Sensor-activated products that you don’t have to touch with your hands help you feel cleaner and more comfortable.

WASHLET^TM with sensor-activated lid and automatic flush

Guest bathrooms are trending more towards shower toilets with integrated intimate cleansing features that minimise the need for toilet paper. The latest model from TOTO is WASHLET™ RW auto flush with automatic flush functionality. Once you approach WASHLET, the sensor-activated lid raises – and the toilet flushes automatically when you walk away. WASHLET will determine how much water to use for the flush based on the amount of time you spend sitting on the toilet.

LINEARCERAM Washbasin

For extra peace of mind TOTO’s washbasins are made from its notably slim ceramic which is, dirt-resistant and easy-to-clean (LINEARCERAM). It is used in many washbasins, including TOTO’s eye-catching asymmetrical TA vessel. It has a dirt-resistant, easy-to-clean ceramic surface, which essentially prevents waste and bacteria from accumulating. This robust surface can even be cleaned using microfibre cloth and will still keep its brilliant shine after years of constant use.

TOTO’s sensor-based faucets, soap dispenser and hand dryers

Automatic taps equipped with sensors bring even more hygiene to the bathroom, including TOTO’s elegant, wall-mounted Autofaucet with concealed installation. The hidden sensor in the faucet can register every hand movement and dispense the exact amount of water needed. The tap even generates its own electricity from the flow of water – no power socket required.

If you’re trying to maximise hygiene, the move from the touch-free tap to automatic hand dryer is an obvious one. TOTO’s powerful model is an ideal solution for guest bathrooms in the home, drying hands with warm air in no time. According to a company statement, “Our Research Department has also managed to reduce the noise of our hand dryer to a minimum – making it a great option for home bathrooms.”

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