Bidets are relatively commonplace in markets such as Europe, Asia and the Middle East, however in bathrooms across Australia, UK and the USA, it’s rare to see toilets and bidets standing side by side.
Why Australia, the UK and USA have lagged behind Europe Asia and the Middle East is somewhat of a mystery. A lack of available space in the average bathroom is one theory, as is the more conservative approach to bathroom etiquette in comparison to European and Asian markets.
However bidet technology is gradually being adopted in parts of the world where it was previously not a priority. Take Australia or North America where the biggest challenge to increasing bidet use is simply getting consumers to try them. Aside from uncertainty about the technology itself, the cost of an integrated bidet or an electronic bidet seat has kept many consumers from jumping on the bandwagon.
“I think culture has a lot to do with American reluctance to bidet use” says Jerry Bougher, Marketing Manager for Kohler. “We are taught to use paper at a young age, and we tend to go with what we know. Travel and our ever-shrinking world are exposing more people to different experiences and cultures, which having a changing influence on many fronts. This is one of them.”
A new white paper commissioned by a global leader in kitchen and bathroom design Kohler explores the Australian public’s disinclination towards traditional bidets and how the introduction of intelligent toilets to the Australian market – where compact, streamlined one-piece toilets including an integrated bidet – has seen architects, designers and specifiers reassess the use of this technology in bathroom design.
The paper explores how modern inclusive design ethics which consider the requirements of users from diverse cultural backgrounds, age groups and physical and mental abilities is driving demand for these intelligent toilets both in homes, as well as in high-end commercial projects including hotels, bars and restaurants.
The benefits provided by intelligent toilets in improving hygiene, sustainability and functionality are also discussed.
To find out more click here to download this free white paper.
