If you have been looking around at bathroom toilets and fixtures and fittings recently, you will have noticed that the humble toilet has undergone a change. There are still models that look much like toilets have always looked but now there is also a wide range of different styles to choose from. Let’s look at some of the points to consider when choosing the right toilet for your situation.

The first thing to decide is what you want the toilet to be made of. As well as the traditional porcelain, there are ones made from plastics, stone and even glass. In making your decision, price will be a consideration as will the style and décor of bathroom you want to achieve with the renovation. The right toilet will fit your budget and add to the look you are aiming to achieve.

Toilets also come in different sizes and not just child and adult. Consider who will be using the toilet when deciding on the best height; take the family with you when researching toilets to make sure that everyone can be comfortable when seated. It is recommended that the feet touch the floor when sitting on the toilet seat. Children may need a step stool while they are small, which can be removed as they grow taller.

The traditional style of a floor-mounted toilet bowl connected to a wall-mounted tank is not the only type manufactured these days. As well as these two piece styles, there are also one piece toilets available which are easier to clean and eliminate the possibility of leaks between the two pieces. There are suspended models that are great space-savers in small bathrooms and floor-mounted models that have a concealed cistern. There are also models that stand on the floor so that the s-bend isn’t visible, creating a clean, sleek look. Look at all the different styles of modern toilet and choose the one that complements the style of room and home.

Modern toilet bowls come in different shapes as well; there are the traditional round bowl toilets and the newer oval-shaped ones, which are considered more comfortable as they are larger. Inside, the bowl can be shaped in a funnel, visor or dish configuration, some of which have been designed to minimise splashing and be easier to clean.

Most toilets on the market have the same water tank capacity and should follow the recommended government regulations which are aimed at conserving water. In Australia, the WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards) scheme aims to reduce water usage by 22%. The standard states a maximum of 5.5 litres is allowed per flush but with a dual flush system, an average of 1 full flush and 4 half flushes applies. Older toilets could use around 12 litres per flush. A water-efficient dual flush toilet can save over 50 litres per person a day, which is a reduction of thirty to forty thousand litres of water a year in the average household!

As well as keeping these important tips in mind when choosing a new toilet, make sure that you know what is included with the toilet you select; some pieces are sold separately at additional cost. Get good quality advice from a professional about the best toilet for your bathroom and have it installed by a qualified bathroom renovator.