The loo, the bog, the khazi, the privy, the netty, the water closet, the facilities, the powder room, the Ladies, the Gents. There’s many an alternative description for the room in which we complete that daily chore so as to disguise the rather uncivilised nature of it all.
Our manners have come a long way since the communal event that latrine-going was for the Romans, who shared everything from polite conversation to lavatorial… accessories consisting of a sponge on a stick while dropping the kids off.
Despite the modern existence of public toilets with high-walled individual cubicles, semi-loud music and ambient lighting, the fact of the matter remains: there’s no comfort quite like the very private bathroom in our own homes. To make the experience just as inviting for our guests, we tend to treat the downstairs bathroom like a high-class interactive museum.
From beaded curtains and fluffy toilet seat covers in the Noughties to elegant marble décor in the 2010s, the importance of curating the perfect bathroom scene cannot be understated. If you’re in the market to transform the bathroom into a veritable throne room, you’ve come to the right place.
From renter-friendly vinyl to removable wallpaper, ES Best has provided countless hacks for improving your lavatorial space. However, a much-neglected essential item in the transformation of any bathroom is the humble toilet seat.
Are toilet seats universal?
No, not all toilet seats will fit your loo. The three most common toilet seat shapes in the UK are round, D-shape and square seats. To be safe, you’ll need to get the measuring tape out and jot down the distance between the fixing holes, the width and the length of the toilet bowl.
Is it easy to install a new toilet seat?
Most beginner DIY-ers will be able to accomplish the task. According to Plumbworld, simply grab a set of pliers or an adjustable wrench to remove the wingnuts and a flat-head screwdriver to remove the plastic which often covers them. The majority of new toilet seats will come with a handy guide on how to install it, as well as all the necessary screws and accoutrements.
Without further ado, keep scrolling for the best new toilet sets to upgrade your bathroom.
John Lewis Easy-Fix Toilet Seat, FSC-Certified (Walnut Wood), Natural
Classic and classy, elevate your bog-standard porcelain loo with an FSC-certified walnut wood toilet seat from John Lewis. The rustic aesthetic is offset by sleek stainless-steel soft-close hinges and the entire piece of kit has been coated with an antibacterial finish for improved hygiene. All fixings are included in the set.
Buy now £145.00, John Lewis
VOVO VB-4000SE Electric Smart Bidet Toilet Seat
Luxury hi-tech Japanese toilets are notoriously expensive. While this electric toilet seat isn’t exactly on the cheaper end of the spectrum, it’ll prevent you from having to replumb your bathroom to gain the wonderful benefits of a smart bidet system. The energy-efficient toilet seat is equipped with a wireless remote controller, auto-deodorisation, an LED night light and a heated seat for winter comfort.
Buy now £339.15, Amazon
Tongue and Groove Soft Close Toilet Seat
Complete your coastal chic interior aesthetic with this lovely sage green tongue and groove toilet seat. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by just how much of an effect a brand-new toilet seat can have on your beachside-inspired bathroom. It has an elegant soft closure too.
Buy now £24.00, Dunelm
GoodHome Pilica Marble White & black Standard Soft close Toilet seat
A timeless classic, this soft-close marble effect toilet seat will help to deliver a seamless, hotel-inspired look. The hinge material is a durable zinc alloy, and this set comes with all the necessary fixtures for seamless seat replacement.
Buy now £32.00, B&Q
Terrazzo Toilet Seat High Gloss with Soft Close Mechanism
Brilliant for an outdoor bathroom, this glossy terrazzo toilet seat evokes the feeling of being in the Italian countryside. Crafted from strong and recyclable thermoplastic with rust-proof hinges, the speedy disassembly of this one-button fix-clip toilet seat makes cleaning a breeze.
Buy now £35.89, Amazon
Croydex Maitland Flexi-Fix Toilet Seat - White Oak Effect
This slightly off-white, oak-effect toilet seat is brilliant for adding interesting texture to your bathroom when fixed to a classic porcelain throne. Despite the wood grain finish, this lovely accessory has actually been crafted from eco-friendly bamboo.
Buy now £48.00, Homebase
Optimal Products Toilet Seat Novelty Design
Whether fitted ironically or to elevate an under-the-sea-themed bathroom, this novelty toilet seat is perfect for creating a 90s-inspired nostalgic aesthetic.
Buy now £22.95, Amazon
Vantency Square Toilet Seat Soft Close
Square toilet seats have an immediately luxurious look. This quick-release option has four integrated nonslip dampers to prevent slipping and sliding.
Buy now £39.99, Amazon
Orchard universal red toilet seat with soft close and quick release
Employ the unexpected red theory by changing your classic porcelain toilet seat to a striking crimson one. Paired with elegant stripy wallpaper and elegant wicker accessories, you’ll have Architectural Digest on the phone in no time.
Buy now £41.99, Victoria Plum
Ideal Standard Michelangelo toilet seat in Moss Green (Moosgrun)
Imbued with oodles of vintage charm, this moss-green squared-off oval seat is an absolute delight. Whether fitted to a white toilet or one which matches the unique shade of green, your bathroom is going to look better than ever.
Buy now £235.00, Broken Bog
