With such an influx of new technology, how do we balance the features we want with the amount of tech on display? In recent years, the bathroom has transformed into a dedicated wellness space, providing a private sanctuary away from the constant barrage of emails, social media, and messages. This shift has driven a growing desire among designers and homeowners to subtly incorporate technologies that provide comfort and convenience without making the environment feel overstimulating or too ‘tech-heavy’ in appearance.

Similarly, other areas, like the living room, have seen a similar shift towards a more analogue feel, with hidden TVs, ceiling speakers, and voice-activated controls gaining significant popularity.

In the bathroom, incorporating such innovations allows for a sleek, clutter-free aesthetic that delivers contemporary functionality, blending modernity with the timeless appeal of a serene space. As the desire for hidden tech grows, a strong trend has emerged in which homeowners are ‘masking’ technology for a more streamlined, relaxed living environment overall.

Image credit: GROHE

“As the trend for spa bathrooms continues to grow, homeowners increasingly seek features that promote wellness and relaxation while being neatly and discreetly designed,”  commented Lewis Neathey, Leader, Product Management at LIXIL EMENA & GROHE UK. “Technologies that subtly offer added functionality are becoming integral to this experience, offering a moment of relaxation away from the digital noise of everyday life, while keeping the bathroom a more analogue feeling space”.

In a recent ‘Behind the bathroom door’ study, conducted by the Bathrooms Manufacturers Association, it was found of the forty-eight UK residents who took part, almost half of the study participants (forty-eight percent) wanted their bathroom to be a peaceful sanctuary without distractions, and a further thirty-seven percent viewed their bathrooms as a practical space to get clean quickly, again without distraction. Only thirteen percent wanted more technology in their bathroom, and this was focused more on comfort and relaxation, such as the ability to play music or set mood lighting, rather than bringing in outside distractions, such as weather forecasts or traffic updates.

There was also interest in features that enabled users to understand their water usage in the bathroom and products that helped them save water without loss of comfort and product performance. This is not surprising as it was found in a 2023 study conducted by YouGov commissioned by GROHE, sixty-seven percent of people surveyed noted that they are conscious of their environmental impact when showering/bathing.

From water-saving taps to app-controlled showers and toilets, ‘Tech-Masking’ is all about enjoying modern day comforts and the convenience of technology without it being obvious to the naked eye or taking away from the relaxation factor of the room.

Combining all the benefits of this trend, with our increasing need to futureproof within the UK, shower toilets are just one of many new solutions that have come to market incorporating this design approach. GROHE’s new Sensia Pro shower toilet presents as a standard wall-hung WC in a sleek Alpine White finish, however, is full of integrated technology and is conveniently operated by a remote control. Offering two self-cleaning spray heads, that can be adjusted in position, intensity, and temperature, along with providing oscillating and massage spray options and a warm air dryer function, users are taken to the next level of personal care and hygiene. The shower toilet also has an automatic open-close function for the seat and lid and a night light to guide users, enhancing user convenience further.

Elsewhere in the bathroom, showering has become a ritual that brings happiness into our daily lives, however, that happiness is different for every user, just like the features that can contribute to it. In a 2024 European survey conducted by GROHE, it was found that in addition to cleansing, sixty-four percent of respondents associate showering with relaxation, followed by wellness and me-time. As shower designs evolve to cater to more requirements, the integrated technology is also expanding, covering everything from safety features such as temperature limiters to hidden filters that enhance skin and hair.

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Main image credit: GROHE