First on the list, as it should be, is quality materials. From the preparation and construction phase, the envelope of the project is critical and no shortcuts should ever be taken here. In a bathroom project, given the amount of water and moisture that’s present on a daily basis, quality construction materials that exceed industry standard is our standard. There is no net gain saving money on this phase and the savings often result in property damage down the road. Finish material comes in a wealth of budget ranges, but typically higher end finishes cost more. The upside is that it lasts and you buy it once, they come with better warranties, they add more value, and they just look, feel and perform better.

Your bathroom is bare feet grounds and there is nothing like walking around on a toasty warm floor. Hydronic (water) or electric radiant heat can be embedded under the tile on the main floor, in the shower, and in some cases under the shower bench to keep everything nice and comfortable and most importantly, dry.

Speaker technology has grown in leaps and bounds over the past several years opening the option of having unobtrusive speakers, suitable for damp areas, in walls and ceilings that deliver high quality sound and feel. Gone are also the days of speaker grates that don’t fit in with the design of the bathroom as there are also options available now for virtually making them disappear. 

Zero entry showers are popular in minimalist look bathrooms and traditional bathrooms alike. They add another element of design without having to step over a barrier to enter the shower. They are also perfect for applications where the person using the shower is confined to a wheelchair or has mobility issues.

A smart toilet is a plumbing fixture that incorporates technology to add additional functionality to a toilet such as self-cleaning, lighting, warming, massaging, and a bidet function. Smart toilets can be controlled with voice command, motion, remote control or mobile apps. They are more hygienic and tend to be mostly touch free, use less water, are more comfortable, and take up less space. Not to mention some of them are super stylish. 

Touchless, or automatic faucets use technology that allow you to start the flow of water without touching the faucet. Instead, just placing your hand under the spout will start the water flow, and the water will stop when you take your hand away. Automatic faucets are both convenient and enhance hygiene. They are also ideal for people with mobility or chronic dexterity issues.  Soap dispensers are also available utilizing the same technology.

Smart glass, also known as switchable glass, dynamic glass, and smart-tinting glass, is a type of glass that can change its reflective properties and go from clear to a non-transparent opaque to provide privacy. Originally used in exterior windows to save energy on cooling costs, it’s now being used as shower glass and walled off areas for toilets. It can be controlled by a switch, touch, or motion.

Instead of using hot water, a steam shower uses a steam generator to generate humidifying steam. Steam showers typically come with digital controls that allow you to turn the steam on, which triggers an electric valve to fill the steam generator with cold water. The generator then heats the water, bringing it to a boil, and sends it to a steam head that fills the stall with the hot, soothing steam. If you find yourself standing in your shower for far too long, a steam shower is a great investment. They produce warm, soothing steam without constantly running the hot water, which means you’ll save on energy bills.

Instead of using hot water, a steam shower uses a steam generator to generate humidifying steam. Steam showers typically come with digital controls that allow you to turn the steam on, which triggers an electric valve to fill the steam generator with cold water. The generator then heats the water, bringing it to a boil, and sends it to a steam head that fills the stall with the hot, soothing steam. If you find yourself standing in your shower for far too long, a steam shower is a great investment. They produce warm, soothing steam without constantly running the hot water, which means you’ll save on energy bills.

Smart mirror technology uses computer technology integration into the traditional mirror and creates a device that can display information. Smart mirrors are normally consisting of touchscreens or voice recognition technology that allows users to operate easily. Smart mirrors bring you all the functions you need hands-free while getting ready for the day: weather, stocks, traffic, and news. It’s just like scrolling your smartphone but way more convenient.

A stand alone soaking tub becomes a visual centerpiece to a bathroom. It catches the eye because it stands alone, independent of all surrounding walls and fixtures, with the exception of the plumbing. Unlike most home baths, tucked away in an alcove between three walls, a freestanding bathtub is not integrated into the architectural design of a bathroom. This means that you have complete freedom when it comes to choosing the tub location, size, shape, and material.

Niches are popular in showers so why not take it a step further and light it up. Dimmable LED lighting can turn a standard niche into a focal point and design element in your shower. 

A towel warmer is a bathroom accessory that heats and dries your towel as well as supplies some radiant heat to a room. With a towel warmer you’ll add that luxurious touch to your bathroom to make every day feel like a spa day. Gone are the days of stepping out of the shower to a damp cold towel. 

Digital thermostatic valve (DTV) is a system that controls four elements (water, lighting, music, and steam) to give you a true multi-sensory showering experience. Every element of your showering experience is completely customizable to your needs and is controlled by a touch-screen interface, and some incorporate voice controls. They can be set up for multiple users, customizing water volume, temperature, choice of spray modes, lighting preferences and more. 

Tankless water heaters are becoming more popular due to how economically they run and also because they provide nearly instantaneous hot water at the source. They are typically replacing whole house water heaters but can also be used in some cases on a smaller scale in bathrooms. Simply speaking, water passes through a tank with super heated coils bringing the water up to a predetermined max temperature and then delivers it to the source nearly instantly. 

Lighting that can be adjusted to the time of day, mood, and other parameters are becoming more common. As opposed to spot light type lighting, or traditional high hats, you can now immerse yourself in a full lighting experience in and out of the shower. Stand alone systems and integrated systems are available to be customized to your needs.