Toilet

More than just a bathroom necessity

The john, the loo, the porcelain throne – whatever you call it, the toilet is a necessary part of any home. But when it comes to redecorating your bathroom, you probably haven’t given your toilet much thought. Even though it’s a bit of a taboo subject, your toilet is just as important as the rest of your bathroom fixtures when it comes to creating a style. Picking out the perfect toilet can really pull your bathroom design together.

Editorial Review

American Standard Toilet

American Standard may not be the gold standard of toilets, but the company makes affordable and reliable commodes.

Pros: American Standard offers more variety in terms of style and model than most other toilet manufacturers. Most American Standard models are reasonably priced and relatively low-maintenance. Some of the newer models feature extremely fast flushes, but this can also be a negative, as the flush doesn’t always remove all the waste; sometimes a second flush is required. The new, gravity-fed FloWise model is a stand-out. It’s one of the first toilets to meet California’s new strict water-saving requirements.

Toilet Selection

When you choose a toilet for your bathroom, you should consider safety and quality standards first. Make sure your toilet:

• Conforms to your local standards.
• Is a well-known brand, such as American Standard, Kohler, or Toto. Choosing a well-known brand makes it easier if you need to repair or replace the toilet down the road.
• Is properly installed. Installing your own toilet is possible, but to ensure safety and avoid problems down the road, it’s probably better to hire a professional, unless you know exactly what you’re doing.

Toilet Styles

Although safety and quality are extremely important, you’ve probably got an idea of how you want your bathroom to look. Choosing a toilet that suits the theme of your bathroom is also important.

Art deco bathrooms are pure 1920s with their black and white tiled floors and warm wooden cabinets and accents, so a black toilet would look great in this setting. A wooden toilet seat on a regular toilet would also suffice.

Country bathrooms bring up images of relaxing in a light-filled space with lots of pastel colors and soft, patterned fabrics. An elongated toilet bowl with exposed pipes and a soft toilet bowl cover will continue this mood. You can also choose a custom-patterned toilet seat to really make a statement.

Think old-fashioned if you’re planning an antique bathroom. Try installing a water closet with a pull chain toilet or an exposed-pipe antique toilet with a black seat.

Modern bathrooms have bright, bold colors and gleaming chrome fixtures. Stick with a standard two piece toilet in pure white porcelain and keep it polished to a high shine. Make sure your toilet bowl is rounded for an authentic ’50s look.

Finally, if it’s a luxury bathroom you’re planning, you have the perfect excuse to go all-out with your fixtures. Luxury bathrooms often include a bidet toilet and standard toilet set side by side. Try experimenting with an ultra-contemporary wall mounted toilet or an elongated toilet bowl.

Of course, some bathrooms have special design requirements besides the themed decor. Specialty toilets are available for such situations: a one piece toilet or corner toilet can help save space in small bathrooms; a handicap toilet is essential for the elderly or someone in a wheelchair; and a composting toilet or low flow toilet is perfect for the environmentally conscious. Keep in mind, however, that these toilets can be more expensive and somewhat harder to find.

It’s worth taking the time to choose the perfect toilet for your bathroom. The right toilet can complete your bathroom decor and turn this often-overlooked space into a design showcase.

Read our Editorial Review on American Standard Toilets

Cons: Some American Standard toilet models can be a bit difficult to assemble. For example, some customers say that they have to go to the hardware store and buy new parts because the ones that came with the toilet don’t always fit. Additionally, some customers have complained about leaky seals (particularly with the Champion model). American Standard seems to have this problem under control and is now shipping with improved seals. It has also been providing new seals, free of charge, for those who bought defective Champion toilets.

Overall: American Standard toilets aren’t perfect, but they stack up very well against their competitors (such as Toto and Kohler). While some models may have issues with leaks, others are industry leaders in water conservation.