The main photo is courtesy of Aquaria, which showcases the Hydropack X—an atmospheric water generator—that is connected to a water storage tank and roof-mounted solar panels for power.

Few design decisions affect a home more than water. It nourishes, cleanses, and heals—but it also corrodes, leaks, and damages. Innovative homeowners think about water not just as a utility, but as a central element of wellness, enjoyment, protection, and sustainability.

Whether you’re updating a starter home or building a luxurious custom home, understanding what’s possible with water-related products and systems—and selecting what matters most for your household, health and lifestyle—will make all the difference.

From the purity of drinking water to the integration of fire-sprinkler systems and greywater reuse, here is a helpful guide to discover the latest possibilities in water-related features for the modern home.

Water Features for the Modern Home

Also see:

 

Wellness: Hydrate, Heal, Relax

 

Clean, Nutritional Water

Every home benefits when the water coming out of a faucet is safe, tasty and free of unwanted contaminants. Whole-house filtration systems or point-of-use reverse osmosis (RO) setups bring this benefit into focus.

Clear glass of healthy water filtered from a whole house filtration systems served directly from a kitchen faucet.

Clear glass of healthy water filtered from a whole house filtration systems served directly from a kitchen faucet.

Leading Water Filtration Vendors:

Aquasana Whole House Water Filtration Process

Aquasana Whole House Water Filtration Process
Image courtesy of Aquasana

 

Therapeutic Water Features

With luxury in mind, water can become a spa-like experience.

Grohe SmartControl Rainshower

Grohe SmartControl Rainshower
Image courtesy of Grohe

Consider:

  • Hydrotherapy Showers
  • Chromotherapy Tubs
  • Indoor Water‐Walls
  • Indoor Reflecting Pools

Example Product Lines:

Overhead view of a Kohler Stillness Bathtub

Overhead view of a Kohler Stillness Bathtub
Image courtesy of Kohler

 

Air Quality & Humidity Control

Maintaining indoor humidity in an ideal range (e.g. 40–60%) helps prevent mold, reduces respiratory issues, and improves overall comfort. Smart humidifier/dehumidifier systems that integrate with your HVAC system are worth considering.

Brands to Explore:

 

Hygiene: Clean Water, Clean Home

 

Appliances Optimized for Water

Using soft water (or improved water quality) will boost the lifespan and efficiency of key water-dependent appliances:

  • Dishwashers
  • Laundry machines
  • Hot water systems

Example Water-Efficient Appliance Lines:

A stylish, water-efficient Miele dishwasher

A stylish, hyper-efficient Miele dishwasher

 

Touchless Hygiene

Motion-activated faucets, bidet toilets, hygienic rinse zones—these features enhance cleanliness, convenience and a premium feel.

Example Brands:

Features of Delta's Touch2O touchless technology for their kitchen faucets

Features of Delta’s Touch2O touchless technology incorporated in their kitchen faucets
Image courtesy of Delta

 

Protection: Defending Your Home

For true peace of mind, water-systems must also protect your property and family—not just enhance it.

 

Smart Leak Detection & Automatic Shut-off

Prevent major water damage before it starts. Smart sensors can detect abnormal flows, pipe bursts, or leaks, and shut systems off automatically.

Leading Leak-Detector Brands:

 

Firefighting Sprinklers & Indoor Systems

In many regions—including California—automatic residential fire sprinkler systems are required for new one- and two-family homes.

For larger luxury homes, estate homes, or homes in fire‐prone zones, integrating fire‐sprinkler protection (both interior and exterior) is increasingly important. Indoor fire sprinkler systems are proven life-savers: “the risk of dying decreases by about 80 percent when sprinklers are present.” (Menlo Park Fire District)

Frontline Wildfire Defense sprinkler systems were activated on 61 homes during the January 2025 LA Files, with 59 of these homes surviving, a success rate of 96%.

A Frontline Wildfire Defense sprinkler system being used during the December 2024, Franklin Fire in Malibu, California.

A Frontline Wildfire Defense sprinkler system being used during the December 2024, Franklin Fire in Malibu, California.
Image courtesy of Frontline Wildfire Defense

Leading Wildfire Sprinkler Solutions:

 

Drainage & Foundation Protection

For virtually all home types, the threat of water infiltration to your foundation—from heavy rain, poor grading or landscape runoff—must always be properly addressed. Adequate site grading, French drains, permeable landscaping and robust foundation waterproofing are key.

A long French drain along the wall of a modern home to prevent water intrusion in the foundation.

A long French drain along the wall of a modern home to prevent water intrusion into the foundation.

 

Prevention: Longevity and Home Integrity

 

Moisture Management

Rot, mold, corrosion—these are the legacy issues of a home poorly designed for water. Use treated framing, vapor barriers, well-designed sump pump systems and active monitoring.

Brands:

 

Rainwater Harvesting & Greywater Reuse

Water conservation is both an environmental and lifestyle benefit—especially in drought‐sensitive areas.

Home with two green plastic rainwater harvesting barrels

Home with two green plastic rainwater harvesting barrels

By collecting rainwater from rooftops and recycling greywater for garden irrigation, toilet flushing, or laundry, homeowners can dramatically cut their water usage.

Close-up view of permeable concrete grid with fresh grass

Close-up view of permeable concrete grid with fresh grass. Though permeable paving does not capture rainwater for later use, it keeps rainwater on your property, while reducing stormwater runoff, also referred to as urban runoff.

Companies to explore:

Two large rainwater storage tanks being installed underground

Two large rainwater storage tanks being installed underground

 

Smart Irrigation Systems

Smart irrigation systems leverage ambient data sources, such as local weather forecasts and nearby air and soil moisture, to adjust water cycles, spray patterns and water amounts for gardens, fields and landscapes. The primary goals are efficient usage of water, reduced cost, and enhanced care of one’s lawn, plants, trees and garden.

Leading Smart Irrigation Products:

 

Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs)

Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs) are innovative devices that extract drinkable water directly from the humidity in the air. They work by cooling ambient air to condense moisture (similar to a dehumidifier), then filtering and purifying it through processes like UV treatment and carbon filtration to remove contaminants, bacteria, and impurities—producing fresh, safe water without relying on traditional sources.

Homeowners should care about AWGs for these key reasons:

  • Water Independence and Emergency Preparedness: They provide a reliable, on-demand supply during shortages, outages, or off-grid living, powered even by solar panels.
  • Health and Purity: The water is often cleaner than tap or bottled varieties, free from chemicals and microplastics, promoting better hydration and wellness.
  • Cost and Eco Savings: Eliminate ongoing bottled water expenses and reduce plastic waste, making them a long-term investment for eco-conscious households.
  • Alternate Source in Water-Stressed Areas: AWGs offer a resilient solution where groundwater is scarce or contaminated.

Companies pioneering off-grid water solutions using atmospheric extraction methods include:

 

Enjoyment: Water as Experience

Water in outdoor and indoor living spaces elevates enjoyment, connection and luxury.

Also see:

 

Pools, Spas, Fountains & Water Features

From infinity pools and spas to koi ponds and dramatic water walls, designs and features should tie to your lifestyle.

Water ripple in a clean swimming pool

Example Smart Pool/Spa Automation Systems:

David Harber's Sky Chalice Garden Metal Water Feature

David Harber’s Sky Chalice Garden Metal Water Feature
Image courtesy of David Harber

Example Outdoor Water Features:

Outdoor Zen rain curtain fountain by Fountains.com

Outdoor Zen rain curtain fountain by Fountains.com
Image courtesy of Fountains.com

 

Indoor/Outdoor Filtered Water “Bars”

Filtered hydration stations—with flat, sparkling, or flavored water—are becoming increasingly popular—both for wellness and entertaining.

Zip Water's stylish HydroTap Arc Plus in brushed gold

Zip Water’s stylish HydroTap Arc Plus multifunction faucet in brushed gold
Image courtesy of Zip Water

Examples Brands:

 

Pet Care: Hydration and Outdoor Rinse

For pet-friendly households, design dedicated water zones:

Also see:

 

The Future of Water: Smart, Sustainable, and Scalable

Thinking ahead is critical, especially when advanced luxury amenities are desired.

Increasing numbers of homes in the future will integrate:

  • Closed-loop water recycling systems
  • AI-powered monitoring of water quality, usage and leaks
  • Autonomous water-management dashboards and controls

A few examples of innovative companies who are pushing these frontiers include:

  • Aquaria: atmospheric water generators (AWGs) for sustainable, independent water supply
  • Hydraloop: smart water recycling solutions for homes and businesses
  • Frontline Wildfire Defense: automated sprinkler systems to protect homes and businesses from approaching wildfires
  • Kara Water: air-to-water technology for water dispensers and coffee machines

 

Homeowner’s Water Design Checklist

  • ✅ Whole-home filtration & softening
  • ✅ Smart leak detection & automatic shutoff
  • ✅ Foundation drainage & grading
  • ✅ Rainwater harvesting & greywater reuse
  • ✅ Smart irrigation & moisture sensors
  • ✅ Outdoor showers & pet rinse stations
  • ✅ Hydrotherapy baths and spas
  • ✅ Humidity control systems
  • ✅ Touchless faucets & bidets
  • ✅ Smart pool & spa systems
  • ✅ Wildfire/fire-sprinkler defense systems (interior & exterior)
  • ✅ Backup water sources or storage (e.g. cisterns)
  • ✅ Relaxing water features (indoor & outdoor)
  • ✅ Flexible plumbing layout (future-proofing)

 

Leading Brands & Systems Overview

Category Brands Innovation Focus
Filtration Aquasana, Pentair, Culligan Health-based water purification
Leak Detection Phyn, Moen Flo, StreamLabs AI monitoring & auto shut-off
Irrigation Rachio, Rain Bird Weather-based smart control
Fire Protection Frontline Wildfire, FireBozz Pool-integrated and residential defense
Rainwater & Greywater Hydraloop, BlueBarrel Closed‐loop recycling
Pools & Spas Pentair, Hayward, Jandy Energy‐efficient automation
Laundry & Dishwashing Miele, Bosch, LG Water‐efficient top performance
Humidity & Air Aprilaire, Honeywell, Condair Balanced indoor environment
Outdoor & Pet Aquor, RinseKit Convenient, clean, durable design

 

Parting Thoughts on Water

Water is no longer a passive, commodity utility—it’s a central home design principle, especially for wellness and protection (e.g., leak detection). From clean drinking water to wildfire/fire-sprinkler protection, from spa-like relaxation to sustainable irrigation, how you manage water will define the health, efficiency, resilience, and future-readiness of your home.

Whether you are building or renovating, we encourage you to let water lead the way towards a better, more innovative home. Decide what matters most for your lifestyle, health and environment—then select systems and design features that align with your top priorities and budget. Always keep in mind that water is key to overall well-being and is a critical element of home design, maintenance and safety.

 

Additional Recommended Water & Plumbing Reading

 

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