Choosing the right bathroom products for your home can seem overwhelming with the variety of options on the market. As a bath product manufacturer, I've put together this comprehensive guide on selecting toilets, basins, cabinets, and other essential items that meet your family's needs and style.
We'll cover how to evaluate the size and design of key products like toilets and basins. You'll learn tips on shopping for family member's needs from children to seniors. I'll provide specific advice on intelligent and smart toilets. Lastly, you'll have best practices for putting together all these elements into a functional, comfortable bathroom sanctuary.
The Toilet - Size, Type and Innovation
The toilet is arguably the most important fixture in a home's bathroom. When shopping for a new toilet, start by measuring the rough-in, the distance between the wall behind the toilet and the bolts that anchor the toilet to the floor. The standard rough-in is 12-inches but can vary. Choose a toilet with a rough-in that matches your bathroom’s dimensions.
Next, determine if you want a standard or comfort height toilet. Comfort height toilets have a seat 17 to 19 inches from the floor, easier for tall, elderly, disabled or arthritic individuals. Standard height measures 15 inches. If purchasing an intelligent or smart toilet consider rough-in, bowl shape and weight capacity to find optimal performance model.
Speaking of high-tech toilets, intelligent and smart toilets simplify bathroom hygiene with built-in cleaning, heating and drying functions. These tankless electric toilets provide hands-free flushing activated by sensors or remote controls. High-end models feature night lights, automatic air fresheners, heated seats, warm water cleansing, and stainless steel wand self-cleaning.
Intelligent and smart toilets greatly increase convenience and hygiene. Toto's Neorest toilet lets you control temperature settings and activation via app. Kohler's Numi 2.0 toilet comes equipped with built-in Amazon Alexa technology to automatically open and close the lid when it hears your voice. For the ultimate bathroom experience, these innovative electric toilets optimize health and happiness.
The Basin - Size, Type and Placement
Another essential component, the humble bathroom basin can make a stylish contemporary design statement. Basin placement depends on bathroom dimensions and often complements the toilet and bathing area. Vessel basins sit atop countertops, enabling creative plumbing designs, whereas undermount sinks install below.
Consider small pedestal basins or wall-mount basins for powder rooms and larger undermount sinks for master suites. Design the bathroom layout based on your or your family's needs before selecting basin size and location. Measure vanity top space to determine ideal basin width - commonly range from 18 to 72 inches wide. Standard circular basins work well with many styles, while rectangular and oval lavatories maximize counter space in tight areas.
Shop basin/sink materials like porcelain, ceramic, glass, copper, stone and stainless steel. Modern glass vessel basins beautifully brighten rooms when illuminated below. Target offers affordable and trendy options like the Made By Design Knape White Porcelain Rectangular Vessel Bathroom Sink. Invest in durable fireclay or ceramic sinks; brands like Kohler, Toto USA, and American Standard are known for quality and reliability.
Creative families or those wanting to conserve water might consider cabinet basins. Ruvati and Renovators Supply Manufacturing offer dual flush cabinet-style basins combining vanities with toilets or sink/urinal combos. Toyota has invented a Clean Bin sink toilet combo featuring an automatic spray, cleaning brush and dryer built into the basin cabinet! Cabinet basins are great space-savers that also encourage water conservation.
Shopping for Family: Kids, Aging Adults and Accessibility
When selecting bathroom products for family members, tailor choices to individual physical needs and ages. Safety and ease of use should drive selection for children, seniors and those with mobility challenges. Focus first on important details like installing grab bars and non-slip tile floors before picking pretty fixtures.
For a child’s bathroom, mount the toilet, sink and accessories at kid height and weight load. Select intelligent toilets with safety features like auto-closing lids and antimicrobial surfaces to minimize risks. Floors, countertops and corners should have rounded edges to prevent injuries. Install childproof locks and adjustable hand showerheads for easier bathing convenience.
For seniors, again consider comfort height toilets versus standard models to aid mobility. Choose easy-turn basin water on/off controls. Select non-slip mats and grab bars in contrasting colors for visibility. Ensure adequate lighting with night lights that automatically turn on in the dark. Intelligent toilets and auto-flushing sinks make hygiene nearly effortless for users with dexterity or mobility limitations. Walk-in showers with built-in seats greatly ease bathing and reduce falling risks.
The American Disabilities Act (ADA) publishes guidelines for making homes accessible for family members with mobility challenges. For wheelchairs, measure room widths/turning radius and install offset/swing clear doors. Wrap plumbing with insulation to prevent burns. Install wash basins with removable vanities or open space beneath. Select easy wheelchair roll-in showers with fold-down seats and hand-held shower heads. Follow ADA regulations to transform bathrooms into safe, accessible sanctuaries for all loved ones to comfortably use.
Pulling It All Together
When purchasing bathroom products for your home, tailor choices to your functional needs and decorative style. Measure your space and existing rough-ins before shopping fixtures. Consider both form and function when selecting sinks/basins, toilets, showers and other amenities. Estimate costs beforehand and set a realistic home improvement budget.
Factor in special physical requirements like child/senior safety or wheelchair accessibility where needed. Take inspiration from bathrooms in hotels, spas or catalogs with looks you love. Add design unity using color schemes in tiles, accents and textiles. Splurge on high tech features like intelligent/smart toilets for health and convenience perks. By thoughtfully designing your dream bathroom sanctuary based on tips in this guide, you’ll enjoy this blissful space for years to come.
