We’ve heard plenty about the importance of ergonomics when it comes to working from home and sitting at a desk, but how vital is it in other areas of the home? GROHE looks at the topic and offers advice on how to build longevity into your bathroom design.

With an increasingly ageing population [1], and a growing need to be more sustainable when it comes to updating our homes, there are a number of key considerations for the future when it comes to designing a new bathroom, advises leading global bathroom and kitchen manufacturer, GROHE.

“There is immense opportunity to future-proof homes when designing bathrooms. Whether we are considering long-term solutions for ourselves or creating a space on behalf of an elderly family member, there are clever ways to add additional comfort and safety without relinquishing a sense of independence or personal style,” says Elina Enqvist-Twomey, Leader, Product Management UK, LIXIL EMENA.

The bathroom is a vital room within the home, not only offering daily hygiene but also a space for wellness and relaxation. In a shower study conducted in 2020, we found that 58% of respondents use the shower as a method to relieve tension and stress, with another 40% noting that they use the bathroom as their ‘me-time’ to escape external hustle and bustle and life’s stresses. The shower is a place where independence and personal dignity is essential, therefore accessibility and ease of functionality is a pivotal design consideration for now and for the future.

Essential Independence
The bathroom is a vital room within the home, not only offering daily hygiene but also a space for wellness and relaxation. In a shower study conducted in 2020, we found that 58% of respondents use the shower as a method to relieve tension and stress, with another 40% noting that they use the bathroom as their ‘me-time’ to escape external hustle and bustle and life’s stresses. The shower is a place where independence and personal dignity is essential, therefore accessibility and ease of functionality is a pivotal design consideration for now and for the
future.

Designed with ease of functionality and flexibility in mind, GROHE provides complete user control with the
SmartControl shower system. The innovative system is controlled by push, turn buttons, allowing users of all capabilities to easily control the system, resulting in showering independence. The push-buttons provide a clear, substantial surface to interactive with, while the ProGrip handle is comfortable and secure to twist with ease.

Wellness and personalised design are also covered with the initiative system, with the SmartControl system
available in a range of models and finishes, from statement golds to traditional chrome, to concealed and
exposed fittings.

Forward planning
The topic of shower toilets and support with personal care is one that is often postponed until it’s an essential requirement, with the installation often resulting in a large expense and invasive renovation work. However, cleansing with water is an age-old tradition that is still favoured in many parts of the world, and as modern society begins to recognise the benefits of shower toilets, there’s an opportunity to plan ahead.

Alongside personalised cleansing features, drying functions and a near self-cleaning system, shower toilets such as the GROHE Sensia Arena also offer eco-conscious credentials by significantly reducing the use of toilet paper.

The GROHE Sensia Arena is available with an automatic flush option and precise motion sensors, which prompt the lid to automatically open upon approaching and close when users leave, helping to improve both hygiene and ease of function, allowing individuals of all ages and capabilities to use the bathroom independently.

If installing a shower toilet without an essential need isn’t a viable option, there’s still scope to plan for the future. With GROHE’s Rapid SLX 3in1 flush frame for Wall Hung WCs, installing a shower toilet at a later date has never been easier. Designed specially to cater to future-planning, the Rapid SLX features a built-in electric socket and water connection ready for shower toilet installations, limiting the need for invasion renovation work.

The system is also equipped with various technologies, including GROHE Whisper which prevents sound travelling through walls making it an ideal choice for households where someone may be waking up numerous times throughout the night.

Easy functionality
While we’re no strangers to seeing touchless taps within public spaces, they’re few and far between when it
comes to residential homes. However, touchless taps are a great design addition with a consideration to the
future, while also offering eco-friendly credentials and slim profiles for compact spaces.

Without a lever to manoeuvre, infra-red taps allow users of all capabilities and ages to use the tap and bathroom independently, while the sensor-activated system also supports with water saving, as the water is only dispensed when truly needed. The motion sensor means the water flow will also switch off automatically after the set time period, eliminating the risk of leaving taps running. The touchless interaction also offers additional hygiene measures by reducing the spread of germs throughout the home, providing a clean and healthy environment for all.

GROHE’s BauCosmopolitan E infra-red mixer tap combines desirable minimalistic design with ergonomically comfortable features for long-term use. The mixer’s body is made from durable composite polymer, which is approved for drinking water, and as the touchless technology uses low-energy electronics the batteries can last up to seven years. Finished in GROHE StarLight chrome and offering a sleek profile, the touchless design also makes cleaning and maintenance simple.