The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) Releases New
Bathroom Technology Awareness and Usage Report
Consumers embrace
Wi-Fi connectivity, voice activation, comfort features and water-leak detection
as primary wants for smart tech in the bathroom; Need for designers and tech integrators
to collaborate on projects
HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — (September 16, 2019) — According to
the newest research from the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), 60%
of homeowners want technology in their master bathrooms. Their goal: to enhance the space with
products and capabilities that create a comfortable, relaxing and safe area. Top-of-mind
tech solutions for homeowners include smart showers, heated floors, centralized
and motion-control lighting, leak detection devices connected to mobile apps, sound
systems and connectivity. These findings are part of the NKBA Bathroom
Technology and Awareness and Usage Report, commissioned by NKBA in
collaboration with CEDIA, the Custom Electronics Design and Installation
Association.
The goal of the study was to better
understand awareness and usage of technology in the bathroom by consumers as
compared with the professional design and whole-home technology integrators’
understanding of consumer wants and knowledge on the topic. While 60% of
consumers feel technology is essential in the master bathroom, 60% of designers
and 68% of technology pros do not, demonstrating a significant gap between
consumer knowledge and use as compared with trade professional awareness of
consumer knowledge and use of technology.
“Homeowners are bringing technology
into their homes,” said Suzie Williford, EVP of Industry Relations and Chief
Strategy Officer of NKBA. “In this instance, they are knowledgeable about
what’s out there and are comfortable asking for it. We continue to study the
market, learning what’s driving homeowners. Sharing these insights with our
members and collaborative partners like CEDIA helps chart a course for deeper
collaboration. Together, we deliver beautiful, safe, functional homes.”
Homeowners are savvy about their desire
for smart plumbing devices like automatic temperature adjustment (69%),
hands-free or touch-free faucets (64%), water leak alerts to mobile devices
(63%), hands-free/touch-free toilet (63%) and tubs/showers that can be adjusted
remotely from mobile devices (56%). Lighting controls from one location (60%)
and motion-sensor lighting (59%) are also top items for homeowners. Designers
and technology integrators collaborating on master bathroom projects can add
value to their roles by alleviating homeowner questions, providing confidence
and guiding product decisions.
Despite integrators actively promoting structured
wiring, remote locks and video monitoring, few homeowners have experience with
these products. Homeowners perceive brands like Kohler, Samsung, Amazon and
Google as cutting-edge manufacturers/providers in the master bathroom space. By
bringing technology integrators into project planning discussions early, the
integrators and designers can help homeowners make better decisions and plan
for seamless design and tech integration.
Designers would appreciate receiving more
training and education from technology integrators, offering broad overviews of
bathroom technology, presentations on successful integrations and pricing
guidelines. The opportunity for designers and technology integrators to partner
on master bathroom projects is great, as homeowners value the advice offered by
designers and integrators to create a smooth integration of technology systems
throughout their home — without a “techy” look.
To learn more about the NKBA Bathroom
Technology Awareness & Usage Report, contact Julie McCrary, White Good, [email protected]. To purchase a copy, visit www.nkba.org.
About
the National Kitchen & Bath Association and the Kitchen & Bath Industry
Show
The
National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is the not-for-profit trade
association that owns the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show® (KBIS), as part of
Design and Construction Week ® (DCW). With nearly 50,000 members in all
segments of the kitchen and bath design and remodeling industry, the NKBA has
educated and led the industry since the association’s founding in 1963. The
NKBA envisions a world where everyone enjoys safe, beautiful and functional
kitchen and bath spaces. The mission of the NKBA is to inspire, lead and
empower the kitchen and bath industry through the creations of certifications,
specialty badges, marketplaces and networks. For more information, visit www.nkba.org or
call 1-800-THE-NKBA (843-6522).
KBIS® and NKBA®
are registered trademarks of the National Kitchen & Bath Association.
