10 Brand-New Bathroom Gadgets

New products make bathrooms safer and easier to use and to clean.

Faucets, mirrors and aquatic theater
It may be the smallest room in the house, but the bathroom brings big news on the design and technology fronts. Attention-getting new products make bathing safer and more comfortable and the bathroom easier to use and keep clean.

1. Easy electronic faucets
You've used them at airports, but electronic faucets make sense at home, too. Delta's e-Flow operates by infrared sensor, so it shuts off if the kids forget. No more germs or soap glop on the handles, either. The e-Flow can also be set to a maximum temperature for safety. Prices range from about $410 for chrome to $510 for pearl nickel with a Vreeland Red handle (as shown).

2. Dual-purpose television mirror
Now you can start each day well groomed and well informed. The Seura television mirror allows you to apply makeup or brush your teeth as you check the weather or catch last night's sports scores on a 13-inch LCD television. When the screen is activated, it's visible as a window within the mirror; when it's off, you see only a mirror reflection. Recessed (shown) and surface-mount models integrate with cable, satellite, and DVD players. Choose from oak or maple frames in six finishes and several sizes.

3. Aquatic theater
Maybe it's a Zen thing -- the fascination with flowing water. Put the pastime to use with Kohler's two-piece Paradox lavatory: Resting on an 18-inch-diameter cast-iron basin, a surface panel creates aquatic theater until the perimeter channel directs water to the drain beneath. Mix and match basin and panel from 16 colors to create a personalized design that doubles as extra countertop space when you turn the tap off. What other bath sink can do that?

4. Automatic bath
Taking a bath is relaxing; waiting for it to fill isn't. Let Ondine's ESS-Tub control prepare your bath for you. Just press a button on the control module and walk away. When you come back, the tub will be full -- or half-full, if you like -- and just the temperature you prefer. The system automatically shuts off the water at the desired volume and remembers favorite temperatures for up to three household members. The unit also runs 10-second refills to supplement your soak.

5. Double-head shower
It's a showerhead. It's a body spray. Grohe's Freehander double-head shower system ($395 to $545, depending on finish) combines both in one easy-to-install unit. The two heads sit on a tubular arm that pivots 180 degrees to direct water flow up as showerheads or down as body sprays. For more fun, each showerhead rotates 360 degrees and generates wide and pulsator spray patterns. Overall, Freehander offers 18 shower spray combinations -- all without breaking into a wall.

6. Soaking tub
Some bathrooms just cry out for a focal point. If you've been drawn to claw-foot tubs, here's a new take on the non-built-in concept. Inspired by a pond, the freestanding Primm soaking tub from MTI Whirlpools is an oval acrylic vessel surrounding by a handcrafted cast-iron frame. The cattail design brings nature indoors to the 66 x 42 x 26-inch tub, available in more than 30 colors.

7. Shapely showerheads
Shower stalls do look a bit like transporter chambers, but there are subtler ways to convey space-age decor. Aerodynamic shapes are among them, and that's what two new Alsons showerheads do best. The solid-brass 697 is 8 inches across and has 68 spray holes; the 698 is 10 inches across and boasts 86 spray holes. Specify chrome, 18-karat gold, satin nickel, polished nickel, or stainless steel. By the way, some people see this shape as an umbrella... go figure.

8. Bath design software
Amateur architects, designing with glass block just got easier. EZ Design software powered by SketchUp lets you start with loose proportions and add exact dimensions and details as you go. Work with any shape, style, or size of Pittsburgh Corning glass block. Several predesigned shower enclosures save even more time and trouble. Once the design is complete, EZ Design develops a bill for materials, listing the number of blocks by size and shape, plus other materials to complete the job.

9. Self-serve toilet seats
In the scheme of things, toilet seats are minor. But imagine the marital bliss when the seat takes care of itself -- and pampers you in the bargain. From Toto, the tankless Neorest"washlet" turns the toilet into a warm-water cleansing unit. Gentle front-and-back aerated spray; oscillating spray massage, a heated seat, automatic deodorizer, and warm drying make hygiene high-tech. Approach and the lid automatically opens. Stand there and the seat rises, too. When you leave, Neorest automatically flushes and the lid closes. Genius.