1. Appliances with connected technology
Digital refrigerators aren't necessarily new, but this trend will only get stronger as we head into 2024, with even more connectivity options and features.
Jessica McConnell, director of colors, materials, finishes, product graphics and global consumer design for Whirlpool Corporation, said consumers are looking for convenience more than ever when it comes to kitchen appliances. “[There are new] Appliances that improve home life through purposeful connectivity features, such as pre-programmed settings that automatically adjust cooking times and connected apps that send cooking instructions directly to the oven. [making] Daily work becomes more seamless. ”
McConnell also said the brand is “developing appliances that get smarter over time to improve performance and offer consumers new features and cooking methods.” Through connected technology, we can help consumers cook and clean more intuitively. ”
2. Smart shower
Credit: Delta
Customized digital showers are going to be a big thing this year among many top brands.
“2024 has been coined the 'Year of the Shower,'” said Alex Yacavon, design studio manager for trends and CMF at Kohler. Also shared in a recent Pinterest insight into possible showers.
Clinton Cardinal, Shower Division Manager at Brizo, agrees. “While there are many options on the market that offer a variety of benefits, products that are popular with consumers tend to feature smartphone apps that provide users with access to warm-up modes, user presets, etc. '' he told his Forbes Home. “This allows users to spend more time doing what they want to do instead of waiting in the bathroom for the shower to heat up.”
Not only are connectivity options important in this year's smart showers, but more importantly, multiple presets to control elements like temperature, duration, flow rate, and even optional audiotherapy, chromotherapy, and aromatherapy. The ultimate in customization, including built-in user profiles. Yes, you read that correctly. Aromatherapy in the shower.
Cardinal also said that upcoming smart showers will have “built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to connect to a virtual home assistant for voice-activated shower control,” and connect to your favorite music and audio apps. Ta.
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3. Touchless faucet
Touchless faucets are the unsung heroes of a messy chef's kitchen. Not only do they help with dirty hands, they can even promote hygiene and water conservation, Cardinal Brizot told Forbes Home.
“Touchless functionality allows you to operate the faucet without touching the handle you used to use when your hands were dirty. It also allows the faucet to understand whether the user is nearby or far away. It’s as smart as it gets,” Cardinal said. “This allows you to save water when doing everyday tasks like brushing your teeth or washing your hands by simply stepping away from the faucet.”
4. Smart toilet
koehler
Gone are the days of basic toilets. Kohler's Yakabon told Forbes Home that “smart toilets are completely mainstream at this point, and people want a more sophisticated design,” and they come in multiple colors besides white. . Bidets are also making major inroads into the U.S. market.
Daniel Devoe Harper, senior creative style manager at Moen, said we can expect to see bidet seat integration and electronic toilets in more markets and homes this year. Harper says you'll soon be able to choose from products with “features ranging from instant hot water to hot air drying to hands-free operation,” meaning there will be a model to suit every need, taste and preference. . budget.
5. Environmentally friendly smart water network
This year, eco-friendly initiatives go hand-in-hand with smart home trends, which is an encouraging trend in itself. Mason Hall, Head of Connected Products and Fortune Brand Innovation at Moen, told Forbes Home that smart technology in water products will be a big trend in 2024.
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“Most of our household water use comes from outdoor irrigation,” Hall says. And upcoming smart water networks, including sprinkler controllers and wireless soil sensors, will “take the guesswork out of lawn management, with features like scheduling, independent zone control, weather skipping, and more, ensuring water is delivered when and where you need it.” only like watering a garden.”
By installing these new features in their homes, users will be able to take complete control of their water inside and outside their homes, helping them develop better habits to further increase their environmental impact today. Hall said.
conclusion
Whether it's a small project like replacing a faucet or a larger project like installing a smart shower, there are plenty of options to improve your home with smart technology. Not only do these features look sleek, but they also help you run routines and rituals at home with timers and customized profiles. These smart home trends are usually worth the money and may motivate you to digitize your home as soon as possible.