Updating a toilet is a simple way to transform your bathroom. Here are a few ideas to help you along the way.
25 March 2022
The common household toilet: admittedly, not one of the most glamourous parts of interior design. Generally, the toilet is one of the last things to be replaced in a renovation – and we see the point. Why spend money on purchasing an identical toilet when you could splurge on a beautiful bath or a tile feature wall? However, toilet design has come a long way in recent years, and there are a number of compelling reasons that the toilet should climb on your list of renovation priorities.
For one thing, updating the model of your toilet is practical. On average, toilets are responsible for almost 27% of the total water used in a household per year. This makes toilet efficiency one of the most important parts of your home design – and old toilets are notoriously inefficient. The majority of modern toilets are low flow and have 2 flush settings, making them significantly more ergonomic than older models; particularly any toilets installed during the early 90s or earlier.
Toilets should always be replaced after 20 years, but you can (and might have to) update your toilet much more frequently than that. Some classic signs that your toilet needs an upgrade include a failing wax ring, leakage, cracks, or failing to dispose of waste in one flush.
Pay attention to your toilet and its surroundings, including the odor or any excess water that may be pooling around the area. These are all indications that the toilet will need immediate replacement – and you want to jump on that task as quickly as possible, because life without a working toilet gets very complicated very quickly.
A toilet renovation alone may not directly add to the value of your home, but a bathroom renovation is known to add upwards of 67.2% of the costs for a midrange renovation. The average toilet renovation costs approximately $100-$500 for the purchase and installation. You may be tempted to DIY as a method of saving costs. Whether this is a good option for you will depend on the type of toilet renovation you intend to carry out.
Updating a toilet seat can be done easily at home by someone inexperienced. However, anything beyond this can be very difficult and it is not recommended that you attempt any kind of holistic toilet renovation on your own. Keep in mind the rules for HDB flats and the need for contractors to be registered with the DRC.
Toilets have many intricate plumbing concerns behind the scene which would be very dangerous if incorrectly installed. The damage to your health and your home has the potential to be immense, both in the long and short term. It is highly recommended that you leave bathroom renovations to experienced contractors with the legal licenses and permissions to undertake such tasks. Before purchasing your toilet, you should ensure that the installation will be taken care of by relevant professionals.
Another thing that you may want to consider before undertaking a toilet renovation is the cost. Cost can be a nuanced issue when it comes to bathroom upgrades and so we have provided a toilet renovation cost breakdown for you below. The number one tip to save money in a bathroom renovation is to replace your appliances with eco-friendly and water efficient options, as this will significantly lower your water bill and save you a lot of money in the long term. For more design ideas on how to fully renovate a small bathroom, see here for the top 5 interior design strategies.
How much is a renovation toilet?
Toilet renovation on a budget in Singapore is usually between $550-$6,500. You can expect a modest toilet renovation to cost around $2,600-$8,500 and an extensive toilet renovation package can cost anywhere between $8,500-$35,000. For more on these luxurious renovations and the beauty of designer bathrooms, see here.
Factors that will influence the projected cost are for the most part beyond your control. The structure of the room, size of the room, waterproofing, accessibility of your building and the state of the current bathroom. However, there are some elements that you have the ability to influence yourself, like the scale of the renovation, the amount of things you want to change, the complexity of those changes, the quality of the amenities that you want to install, and the materials you intend to use for the renovation.
You can also consider purchasing one of the many toilet renovation packages available from various contractors around Singapore. This is a cost and time efficient option, especially for those who do not want to plan all of the details of the renovation themselves.
There are two main types of toilet renovation packages. The fastest is an overlay (a basic, cheap package which will allow you to make a few simple changes such as improving the floor tiles, replacing the sink, or replacing the toilet bowl). The second of the toilet renovation options in a package is the wall and floor renovation, a more expensive project which will cover all aspects of the bathroom including the walls, floor, and accessories.
3. Livspace – Tile Feature Wall
This renovation by Livspace shows how just a few small changes can completely transform the look of a bathroom. The addition of a sophisticated blue tile feature wall gives the bathroom a sense of maturity, as well as the more streamlined designs of the mounted basin and contemporary porcelain toilet.
A feature wall like this is fairly affordable and you can find a similar dark blue tile to the style in the renovation here for $29.99. Or for a more unique look, consider this lighter green/blue seafoam tile instead, available here for $28.21.
2. Qanvast – Minimalistic Transformation
This drastic renovation saw a return to minimalism as a way to creatively account for the lack of space. The horizontal design of the lighting, feature elements and furniture emphasize the width of the room, making it feel much larger.
1. Livspace – Hidden Pipes
This clever design serves practical as well as aesthetic purpose. The installation of a stone-appearance wall-column completely obscures the bathroom pipes and looks completely natural. Mixed textures draw the attention away from the bathroom’s small size and an open shelved vanity keeps the design feeling sleek and non-bulky. Read more about small bathroom design here.
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