In the quest for a sanctuary that rivals the most luxurious spas, discerning homeowners are turning their primary bathrooms into personal retreats. This transformation goes beyond the annual innovations showcased at KBIS. To truly elevate the home spa experience, architects and remodelers should consider enlisting the expertise of a professional technologist. These experts can seamlessly integrate technology with design, ensuring that every element of the bathroom retreat not only functions flawlessly but also enhances the overall aesthetic.
Include Relaxing Music in the Bathroom Retreat
Imagine your clients stepping into their bathroom and being enveloped by the soothing sounds of nature, the gentle strains of classical music or their favorite tunes. A well-designed multizone audio system can create the perfect ambiance, whether one is soaking in the tub or starting the day with a refreshing shower.
Above: Professional integrators can program lighting fixtures to create the perfect environment for starting a busy workday or ending it with a soak in the tub, as seen in this bathroom by Integral Home Technology. Photo credit: Jon Cancelino Photography
Home technology pros can outfit your primary and secondary bathroom projects with pleasing music to get users in the right frame of mind – whether it’s at the start or the end of the day. Connected to a multiroom audio amplifier and tethered to internet radio stations, locally stored audio files and popular streaming services, music sets the stage for a welcoming retreat.
Typically, loudspeakers used to fill a room with audio are installed in the ceiling, known as architectural or in-ceiling speakers. Your home technology pro can specify how many must be installed to adequately cover the room. They’ll also be able to spec the right speaker models, ensuring water resistance for the moisture in the room and potentially using paintable grille coverings to better blend in with the ceiling.
Round Out the AV with Displays
Video elements can add a touch of modern sophistication to your bathroom projects. Whether integrated with the audio system or paired with a soundbar, waterproof displays can be wall-mounted or cleverly concealed within mirrors. Like their audio counterparts, some manufacturers produce screens that can handle moisture or water splashes. When owners engage in activities at the vanity, an in-mirror display may be ideal for catching up on the morning news before heading out to work. It also creates a bit of wow factor and FOMO when showcasing the new bath to designers and potential referral clients.
Incorporate Intelligent Lighting
Illumination plays a crucial role in shaping the bathroom’s atmosphere, impacting both mood and functionality. With today’s lighting control and fixture options, this can be addressed to optimize your clients’ time spent in their primary bathrooms.
For starters, deploying lighting controls and easy-to-use interfaces (e.g., waterproof handheld remote, keypads, touchscreens and mobile phone access) to command the room’s lights provides convenience and adjustability even while soaking in the tub.
Working in tandem with preset or on-the-fly controls, your home tech pro can program white- and color-tunable LED fixtures to apply the appropriate color temperature and dimming capabilities, further enhancing the lighting scheme in the bathroom retreat. For instance, while morning routines may require brighter illumination, daytime usage can be set for more natural lighting, and evening baths can be dimmed to a soft, warm glow for total relaxation. Another trend involves programming fixtures to mimic the sunlight’s daily pattern to align with owners’ circadian rhythms.
Motorized Shades Make a Difference
The interplay of lighting and motorized shades can transform your bathroom into a true oasis. Designers can collaborate with full-service technology pros to spec shade styles and fabric types that will complement the space’s aesthetic needs while automating them to produce more impact.
Motorized shades – especially convenient in the bathroom where privacy is key – enable designers to worry less about the size and number of windows in a dramatic primary bathroom. At the press of a button or a tap of an icon, homeowners can lower or raise the shades – often choreographed to work simultaneously for multiple shades – depending on the desired amount of natural light.
Again, a good home technology professional can synchronize all of this within a smart home control system to complement the circadian effect or to be commanded individually. Motorized shades provide convenient privacy settings and even allow for control of hard-to-reach oversized windows and skylights.
Importance of Choosing an HTA-Certified Integrator
To achieve this harmonious blend of technology and design in a bathroom retreat, it’s crucial to work with an integrator certified by the Home Technology Association. Recognized for their expertise and commitment to excellence, an HTA-certified integrator ensures that every aspect of your bathroom project’s technology is thoughtfully integrated and expertly executed. Most HTA-certified integrators are also HTA Design Partners, meaning they have significant experience collaborating with interior designers. You can be confident that your client’s bathroom retreat will not only meet your functional needs but also respect your design.
—Melanie Niemerg, owner, Integral Home Technology
