Our Guide to Buying a Toilet Seat

Buying a toilet seat? We’ve created a guide to help you choose the perfect seat for your loo.

Did you know that for at least 30 minutes a week, the average Australian adult sits on the toilet using a smartphone? Add that to your general toilet usage and you’ve spent hours of your time on the loo. So, since you’re spending so much time at the toilet, you may as well be comfortable, right?

1.   How to measure a toilet seat

You’ll be pretty uncomfortable if your seat doesn’t fit. Save yourself some time and money. Before you check out our toilet seats for sale, make sure you measure your toilet. You can figure out the seat size you need by measuring the base of your loo.

- Measure the distance between the seat holes

- Measure the width of the bowl at its widest point

- Measure the distance between the middle of the seat hole and the front centre of the bowl 

After you have these measurements, you can compare them with the specifications on our product pages. If the measurements match – you’re good to go! Buying a toilet seat is simple if you have the right info. 

1.   What shape is your toilet?

While you’re browsing through our range, it will be easier to find the perfect seat if you can narrow down the shape. There are a few different toilet seat types – elongated seats, round front seats, and D shaped seats.

Check out our D shaped (or cubed) seats:

Take a look at our round front seats:

Browse through our elongated seats:

2.   Toilet seat features

If you’re buying a replacement toilet seat, you might be after an upgrade. Believe it or not, toilet seats have a range of optional features. Make a list of the things you need and find a seat that fits best. Take into account your family or workplace – you might really appreciate a soft close option, or if you have children, you might want to install a training seat. Whatever you need, we have it available online now.

- soft closing toilet seats

- quick release toilet seats (for fast installation and removal)

- double flap

- hinged seats

- child training toilet eats

- junior seats

- raised height 

3.   Design options

If you’ve put a lot of effort into your bathroom, it would be a shame to let it all go to waste on an ugly toilet seat. If you’re buying a toilet seat, why not think outside the box and get a seat with a bit of personality?

The material of your toilet seat will not only affect the overall look of your space – different materials have different qualities. Some are sturdy, others are easier to clean, some are more affordable.

- Lightweight plastic – affordable, easy to clean, no chipping and pealing

- Durable thermoplastic – easy to clean, no chipping and pealing, heavyweight and durable

- Wooden seats –  heavier than plastic options, aesthetic value 

Colour might be a factor whilst you’re considering how to choose a toilet seat. Your decision might come down to which seat you think looks best, or it might be a functionality issue. For example, there are Australian standards that dictate that ambulant toilets must have a seat of contrasting colour so that vision impaired persons can easily distinguish the seat and the toilet. That’s why we stock contrasting blue seats for commercial and domestic use.

Now that you’ve read our guide to buying a toilet seat, browse through our online range and get in touch if you have any questions. At Plumbing Sales, we are Australia’s largest online plumbing supplies store. We offer free shipping on all eligible domestic orders over $300. Get your new seat delivered to your door today.