Choosing a Toilet Seat
If you’re shopping for a new toilet seat, the
key factor is finding one that fits your toilet. After that, you might be
surprised at the choices you can make:
- Choose a material.
- Choose convenience and comfort features.
- Choose accessibility and safety options.
We explain your options below and give you tips
on deciding when you should consider a replacement toilet seat.
What Shapes Do Toilet Seats Come In?
While some bidet toilets and modern toilet designs feature seats that are square or rectangular, most toilet seats are either round or elongated.
Round Toilet Seats
The original and most common shape is a round toilet seat. It’s shorter than an elongated seat, designed to match up with round toilet bowls. Children and smaller-sized adults may find a round toilet seat more comfortable and easier to sit on and rise from.
Elongated Toilet Seats
Elongated toilet seats are oval-shaped and a bit longer than round seats. Elongated seats fit elongated toilets. These toilets take up more room than a round bowl, so make sure you have adequate space when considering a change. This bigger shape and size make the toilet seat more comfortable for many people.
Match the size of the toilet seat to the size of the bowl. Measure length from the center of the bowl rim to a line between the center points of the mounting holes. Then measure the width of the bowl at the widest point.
Toilet seats are typically simple to install. Our toilet seat installation guide shows you the process step by step.
What Are Toilet Seats Made Of?
There are a couple of common options for toilet seat materials.
Wood Toilet Seats
Wood and enameled wood toilet seats feature exceptional strength with a firm feel. Natural wood finish seats can add a touch of warmth to a porcelain bathroom. Enameled wood seats are glossy and feature durable, wear-, stain- and chip-resistant finishes. Wood seats also give a more substantial feel to the seat and lid. Also, wood seats do not get as cold as plastic seats. Some wood seats also have metal hinges to support the heavier weight.
Plastic Toilet Seats
Plastic toilet seats are much lighter than wood seats but are strong and durable. Plastic seats offer a much wider choice of colors than wood seats, but are also wear-, stain- and chip-resistant options. Plastic seats usually come with plastic hinges that make removal for cleaning easy.
What Features Do Toilet Seats Have?
When shopping for a new toilet seat, you may find that there are more features and enhancements than previously available. See below for some of the most popular options today’s toilet seats offer.
Some toilet seat options, such as bidet and heat features, require a ground fault circuit interrupter outlet. Don’t use an extension cord with a corded toilet seat. Check the product information for specific electrical requirements for your seat.
Slow Close Toilet Seat and Lid
The loud noise of a slamming toilet seat can be jarring in the middle of the night. A slow-close lid toilet seat, designed to lower slowly and softly, can help prevent unnecessary noise while helping prevent a child’s fingers from getting caught under a heavy seat or lid.
Quick Release Toilet Seat
Quick-release toilets seats are helpful when cleaning the toilet. The seat is easily released from the hinges for a simple removal to aid in cleaning the entire toilet rim. No tools are required to remove the seat.
Night Lights
Late-night trips to the toilet when you are still half asleep are easier with a nightlight toilet seat. These seats offer a soft light that makes getting to and seeing the toilet easier without turning on overhead lights. Some seats have adjustable light modes for when the lid is closed or open.
Bidet Toilet Seats
Bidets can be a more hygienic alternative to toilet paper, but most homes in the U.S. don't have the extra space required to install a separate bidet. A bidet toilet seat can be a great alternative that’s easy to install in place of your regular toilet seat. Bidet seats can provide warm water, air drying and deodorizing as part of the installation, as long as there’s a nearby GFCI electrical outlet.
Padded Toilet Seats
Choosing a padded toilet seat is a simple way to add comfort and warmth to your toilet. Today’s padded seats are available with anti-fungal and anti-bacterial materials to make cleaning easy.
Heated Toilet Seats
Whether the seat is plastic or wood, a cold toilet seat can be uncomfortable. Relief is available, though, with a heated toilet seat. Along with multilevel heat settings, these seats can include nightlights and soft-close features. Keep in mind, you need a nearby GFCI outlet for a heated seat.
Deodorizing Toilet Seats
If you’re concerned about guests or family members and potential unpleasant odors from using the toilet, then a deodorizing toilet seat can give you peace of mind. Using small battery-powered intake fans and carbon filters, odors can be neutralized for up to 6 months, depending on the model and frequency of use. You can also use scent packs that will deliver a light aroma to the bathroom. Deodorizing seats often feature programmable lights to help you find the toilet in the dark.
Toilet Seat Accessibility and Safety
For continued accessibility and safety, many homeowners install seat risers or toilet seats with riser bars to assist them when using the bathroom.
Elevated Toilet Seats and Risers
Elevated toilet seats and toilet seat risers increase toilet accessibility. They’re available in different heights, usually from 2 to 6 inches. The higher seat reduces the space a person must navigate, making sitting and rising easier. A riser installs between the toilet and your current toilet seat. An elevated toilet seat is an all-in-one unit that replaces your old seat with a new, higher model.
Toilet Seat Safety Rails
Toilet seat safety rails are designed to help those with poor balance, limited mobility or injuries maintain access to their home toilets. Rails can quickly attach without replacing your current toilet seat or be incorporated with an elevated toilet seat to provide both height assistance and stability.
When Should I Replace My Toilet Seat?
Most of us don’t think about replacing our
toilet seats until it becomes absolutely necessary. But there are several other
instances that call for a new toilet seat:
- The seat is cracked or broken.
- The seat is loose or wobbles.
- You move into a new home or apartment.
- You’re potty training a child.
Tips for Choosing a Toilet Seat
When looking for the best toilet seats for a bathroom, first match the shape to the toilet bowl. Next, measure from the center of the mounting holes on the bowl to the edge of the rim and between the widest points on the side to ensure you get the right size. Once you know the shape and size you need, decide if you want the sturdiness of a wood seat or if the color options and durability of a plastic seat suit your needs. A new toilet seat is a great opportunity to upgrade your toilet with new features, like a night light, a heated seat or even bidet functions. Finally, decide if you’d benefit from the stability and safety of a seat riser or safety rails.
Shop toilet seats on Lowes.com by shape, brand, features and more. Or stop by your local Lowe’s. A Red Vest associate can show you the options and help you find a toilet seat that fits your needs for shape, functionality and accessibility.