Q: What considerations should we think through in choosing a toilet for our bathroom?

A: Most feel that it is important that your bathroom is one that not only looks attractive, but one that makes you feel good about yourself and your home. Selecting the right toilet can make or break your new look and feel, so we want to ensure you have some guidelines in this decision.

We’ve identified three important factors to consider when renovating or updating your bathroom:

Style: What type of renovation/update is being done? If you are planning on remodeling the rest of your bathroom, you will want to make sure that you pick a bathroom toilet that will compliment the rest of your soon to be newly remodeled bathroom. Having everything match, from the toilet to the floor tiles, is one of the best ways to create an attractive looking bathroom.

Affordability: Standard bathroom toilets are often known as being the most affordable of all bathroom toilet models. Although you may be shopping on a budget, you may also be shopping for the best toilet around. If that is the case, you may be looking for something different, say something a little bit more elegant. If so, you should be able to find it, with a little bit of research.

Features: Although it is possible to purchase a standard toilet for only a few hundred dollars, you need to keep additional costs in mind. Additional features you should consider include:

• Water-Saving Technology: 1.6 gallons per flush is standard, but you can find toilets that flush on less. Or with dual flush options, you can choose the type of flush. Some models come with a full flush that is less than 1.6 gallons per flush—using as little as 1.28 gallons per flush.
• Dual Flush vs Single Flush: Dual flush allows you to choose whether a partial .8 gallons per flush or full flush option 1.6 gallons per flush.
• Toilet Rim Height: A big trend now is the toilet seat which sits 3-4 inches higher than standard toilets.

As you likely already know, bathroom toilets are heavy; therefore, you may need assistance getting your toilet into your home. Depending on where you shop, you may be able to get free delivery, but you should also be prepared for a small delivery fee.

While there are several factors in choosing your toilet, one of the best ways to figure out which design works best for you is to simply make sure you take a look at several models, consider the style, cost and features you value and talk it over with any others who will have input in the final decision.