There are conversations you expect to have as a builder: budgets, timelines, cabinetry, mudrooms, where the dog will sleep. And then there are conversations that surprise you, the ones where a topic you thought you understood opens up into something bigger, more human, and genuinely exciting.
That’s what happened when I sat down with Shaun Skelton, Senior Product Manager – Digital Valves & Controls at Kohler. Shaun spends his days thinking about water, wellness, technology, and how people wake up, unwind, recover, and take care of themselves – and each other – inside their homes.
What struck me right away was that this wasn’t a conversation about gadgets. It was a conversation about living better, one daily routine at a time.
Photo Credit: Kohler
Photo Credit: Kohler
The Future of Bathroom Tech
Where is bathroom technology really headed? And how connected is this all going to get?
Shaun shared, “The bathroom is becoming more and more connected and it’s becoming way more integrated. I think that’s the future.”
Not in a gimmicky sense, but in a truly meaningful way. He described a home where your morning routine isn’t a string of separate tasks, but a coordinated, seamless experience.
“I can wake up, hit my morning routine, my blinds come up, my heated floor turns on, my shower starts warming up for me and my coffee machine can start for me.”
It’s the idea of the bathroom as a wellness environment, not just a functional one, something that fits beautifully with how many of our clients want their homes to feel.
Smart Showers, Explained Simply
At some point in every project, someone asks, “Okay… but what is a smart shower?”
“The number one thing about a smart shower is it can give you the customization and personalization that you can’t get from a standard mechanical product,” Shaun shares.
He said it’s not about flashy features. It’s about something surprisingly simple and human:
- Temperature.
- Comfort.
- Predictability.
“We know that what customers want more than anything is really precise control of their temperature.”
And honestly, it makes sense. Most of us have played the “too hot, too cold” lever dance every morning.
A smart shower stops that. Every shower. Every person. Every time.
Why Homeowners Are Choosing Smart Showers
We got into the reasons people upgrade – and it’s far more diverse than most would assume.
Families who want convenience and routine… Pre‑set temperatures. Timed showers. People building spa‑like retreats at home.
“I can preset everybody’s experience… I can set the duration… they’re in and out.”
I asked Shaun for a real‑world story that moved him. What he shared wasn’t just “interesting tech”, it was emotional.
A family had a young son with significant special needs. Showering had become incredibly hard both physically, emotionally, and for the entire family.
“They really found it painful for him to take a shower.”
But when the smart shower went in – something changed.
The ability to pre‑set temperature. The option to start the shower before anyone stepped inside.
And suddenly: “The smart shower helped them to the point where the son was asking, can I take a shower?”
For the family, this wasn’t “high‑tech.” It was peace, dignity, and a small but powerful win.
Helping Tech‑Shy Homeowners Feel Comfortable
I mentioned that plenty of our clients say, “I don’t want a screen. I just want to turn a lever.”
Sean shares, “If I’m tech‑shy, I can hit a button and that’s easier than turning a lever – way easier.”
Like the Anthem Duo for example, two buttons and a temperature dial. Nothing confusing. No Wi‑Fi required.
“People used to turn a thermostat and just wait for the house to warm up. Now no one does that.”
We don’t accept mystery temperatures in our homes, so why accept them in the shower?
“If you had a smart shower… you have more confidence and it tells you what temperature it is.”
Cleaner Design, Easier Installation, Better Results
From my vantage point as a builder, this part was music to my ears.
“Wouldn’t you want to control everything off one control versus six levers and a separate steam control?”
Digital systems simplify everything behind the walls.
“The rough‑in for a digital control is one wire coming through the wall and two screw holes.”
This is why early planning matters so much, we can design the space for easier installation and end product functionality.
Sustainability in Wellness
Smart showers are changing the way we think about sustainability at home. With innovations like Kohler’s Anthem Evo Cycle, homeowners can reduce water usage by up to 80%.
While the benefits are clear in drought-prone states like California and Arizona, the impact matters here, too. Even in a four-season state like Wisconsin—especially in drier regions—these technologies offer a meaningful way to conserve resources and reduce everyday water consumption.
So What Should Homeowners Think About?
Always think about your dream experience and what you actually want. Start with how you want to feel, then plan the system behind it.
“It’s going to become more and more personalized and more and more about a wellness space.”
Early planning ensures the right water pressure, drainage, electrical, and layout.
AI‑driven showering is about anticipation — not gadgets.
“Let me start your shower for you.”
