Toilet Seat Buying Guide
Choosing a new toilet seat may sound straightforward, but with so many types, shapes and materials available, how can you be sure which is right for you? At Plumbworld, we’ve come up with a handy toilet seat buying guide to answer all your questions.
In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about different types of toilet seat, including:
- Quick tips for buying a new toilet seat
- How to measure for a toilet seat
- Toilet seat shapes
- Toilet seat fixing types
- Toilet seat types and features
- Common toilet seat materials
- What toilet seat colours are available
- Finding the best toilet seat for you
Quick buying tips for toilet seats
- Best for cleaning – quick release hinges
- Best budget option – polypropylene (affordable and durable)
- Best for family bathrooms – soft-close hinges
- Best for a modern designer look – D-shaped or square
- Best all-rounder – soft-close, top-fixing (easy to fit and practical for most homes)
Before choosing a style or material, it’s important to make sure your new toilet seat will fit your toilet correctly.
How to measure for a toilet seat
To make sure your new toilet seat fits properly, you’ll need to measure your toilet pan.
You’ll need three measurements:
- Pan length: from the front outer edge of the pan to the centre of the fixing holes
- Pan width: from one outer edge to the other at the widest point
- Hinge centres: the distance between the centres of the fixing holes
For a more detailed guide, see our step-by-step guide to measuring for a toilet seat.
You should also factor in the shape of the pan – for instance, a square toilet seat isn’t going to suit a round or D-shaped toilet pan.
What toilet seat shapes are available?
Toilet seats come in four shapes: round, D-shaped, square and oval. You will need to choose a seat that matches the shape and size of your toilet pan.
Round toilet seats
Round toilet seats are the classic option. They are widely available and typically cheaper than other shapes. Almost circular in design, they are shorter front-to-back than other options, making them great for tight spaces. They can often be found in cloakrooms, smaller bathrooms and on more old-fashioned toilet pans.
D-shaped toilet seats
D-shaped toilet seats are straight at the back and round at the front – shaped like the letter D. This gives them a geometric, designer look that looks right at home in a modern bathroom suite. They’re a great option if you’d like a contemporary look without the sharp angles of a square seat.
Square toilet seats
Square toilet seats have a square design with flatter sides, although the corners are still rounded for comfort. These seats offer a high-end, ultra-modern look, and complement angular sanitaryware especially well. However, they are less widely available, meaning appropriate replacements may be harder to come by.
Oval toilet seats
Oval toilet seats are curved but with a longer, oval shape. They offer more support than round seats, making them more comfortable for some users, but their additional length makes them less suited to compact bathrooms. Oval seats benefit from a versatile appearance, looking neither too traditional nor modern. This generic look allows them to blend into many bathroom designs, but they won’t stand out, either. If you’re looking to make a style statement, you may be better off with a D-shaped or square design instead.
Toilet seat fixing types
There are two main types of toilet seat fixings available: bottom fixing and top fixing.
Bottom fixing toilet seats
Bottom fixing toilet seats feature the more traditional fixing method. Bolts pass through the toilet pan and are secured with nuts underneath.
Pros:
- Offer a secure fit
- Suitable for close-coupled toilets with accessible undersides
Cons:
- Require access to the underside of the toilet, which can be awkward in some bathroom layouts
- Less convenient to remove for thorough cleaning
- Typically aren’t suitable for use with wall-hung or back-to-wall toilets
Top fixing toilet seats
Top fixing toilet seats are designed to be installed entirely from above the toilet pan. Fixings are inserted into the mounting holes and tightened from the top.
Pros:
- Much easier to install where access to the underside of the toilet is limited
- Easier to remove for cleaning
- Better for DIY installations
- Suitable for concealed cistern setups such as back-to-wall and wall-hung toilets
Cons:
- May work loose over time and require occasional tightening
Toilet seat types and features
There are several toilet seat types and features available, each with its own benefits.
Standard toilet seat
The classic choice, standard seats feature a simple hinge for opening and closing. There are several reasons a standard seat might be the better choice for you:
- Lower cost: a great place to make a saving if you’re on a tight budget
- Simple mechanism: fixes are straightforward, plus there’s less that can go wrong
- Quick to close: a standard seat can be closed instantaneously, which can be convenient when you’re cleaning or in a rush
- More designs available: these seats have been around a long time, so more styles and materials are available to choose from
Soft close toilet seats
Soft-close toilet seats feature a damping mechanism built into their hinges for slower, gentler closing. These seats come with several benefits:
- Quiet, convenient operation: you don’t have to carefully lower the lid all the way to the pan to prevent it from banging shut.
- Reduces wear and tear: the toilet seat closes gently, helping to extend its lifespan
- Safer for families: small fingers are less likely to get trapped
- A premium feel: often seen as an upgrade from a standard seat, adding a luxurious touch at relatively low cost
Quick release hinges
Quick release hinges allow you to detach the toilet seat from the pan with the push of a button or a simple lift mechanism.
- Exceptionally convenient: remove and reattach the seat in moments
- More hygienic: offers quick, easy access to hard-to-reach areas around the hinges for more thorough cleaning
Family toilet seats
A family toilet seat features two seats – a standard seat and a smaller seat on top for small children. This seat is perfect for young families in the toilet training stage, making it easier for your toddler to progress toward using a normal toilet. It’s also far less messy than removable potty inserts!
Bidet toilet seats
Also called a smart toilet seat, a bidet toilet seat integrates the functionality of a bidet into a toilet seat. Although these options are often pricier than ordinary seats, they can be a hygienic and space-saving solution in bathrooms where a separate bidet is not possible.
Electric and non-electric versions are available. Please note that each type comes with additional installation requirements:
- Non-electric bidet toilet seats require a water connection because they operate on water pressure. They typically use only cold water but come at a lower price point and don’t require a professional for installation. Many models include features such as adjustable water pressure and dual nozzles.
- Electric bidet toilet seats need a water and electrical connection. These seats are more expensive to buy and install and may require professional plumbing and electrical work. However, they generally offer more features such as a warm water spray, warm air dryer and heated seat.
Antibacterial toilet seats
Some toilet seats are designed to help reduce bacterial growth. Antibacterial or antimicrobial seats are treated with a special coating or infused with additives like silver ions that make it harder for bacteria to survive or spread. These come with several key benefits:
- Improved hygiene – can help reduce bacterial buildup on the seat surface, especially handy in shared bathrooms
- Easier to clean – makes it harder for bacteria to stick to the surface, helping to keep the seat fresher between cleans
- Odour control – less bacterial growth means fewer odours
- Lasting protection – the antibacterial property is sometimes built into the material
UV protected toilet seats
Some plastic toilet seats are made from materials that include UV stabilisers. These resist damage from light exposure, preventing the plastic and surface finish from breaking down. So, why is this feature worth considering?
- Reduces yellowing or discolouration – the seat retains its original colour for longer
- Especially useful for white seats – white finishes can be unsightly when discoloured
- Ideal in strong lighting or sunlight – protects seats most exposed to UV rays
- Resistant to wear – stops the plastic from becoming dull or brittle over time
What are toilet seats made of?
Toilet seats are made from a wide range of different materials, from solid wood to thermoplastic. Read on to find the best toilet seat material for you.
Wooden toilet seats
A wooden toilet seat adds a warm, natural feel to your bathroom and complements traditional bathrooms especially well. You can find solid wood seats and moulded wood seats in our collection.
Solid wood toilet seats
Solid wood toilet seats are made from natural timber, such as oak, pine, or teak, which is then sanded and finished with a varnish or lacquer.
- Weighty for a more premium feel
- Natural variations in the grain offer character and make each seat unique
- Require more care than plastic or moulded wood
- Can crack or warp if moisture gets inside
Moulded wood toilet seats
Moulded wood toilet seats are made from wood fibres mixed with resin, which are compressed into a mould and finished with a painted or sealed coating.
- Smooth, sealed surface is easier to clean
- Less likely to warp or crack
- Don’t feel as substantial as solid wood alternatives
Plastic toilet seats
Lighter than wooden seats with a smooth surface for cleaning, plastic toilet seats are affordable, easy to maintain and comfortable for everyday use.
There are two main types of plastic toilet seat: polypropylene and thermoset plastic.
- Polypropylene (PP) – made from a common thermoplastic, these seats are budget-friendly, flexible and lightweight with a smooth, wipe-clean surface. They have a less premium feel but are highly impact-resistant and don’t chip easily.
- Thermoset plastic (UF) – a premium option, these seats are rigid, hardwearing and scratch-resistant. They are slightly heavier with a high-end, ceramic-like feel.
Metal vs plastic hinges
Toilets come with metal or plastic hinges. Plastic seats may use matching plastic hinges for a more uniform look, while stainless steel, brass, and zinc hinges can be found on both plastic and wooden toilet seats.
Metal hinges tend to outlast plastic hinges, while plastic hinge toilet seats tend to come at a cheaper price point.
What toilet seat colours can I buy?
Toilet seats are available in different colours to suit your bathroom or cloakroom.
White toilet seats
White toilet seats are the most popular colour of toilet seat, complementing most sanitaryware with ease. These seats give any bathroom a clean, bright and modern look. However, discolouration is more noticeable on white seats. To prevent this, avoid using harsh chemicals and consider opting for a seat with UV protection.
Black toilet seats
Black toilet seats offer a striking contrast with white sanitaryware. They work well in both modern monochrome schemes and traditional bathrooms.
Grey toilet seats
Grey is a popular colour for vanity units and bathroom cabinets, adding interest to contemporary and classic bathrooms. A grey toilet seat complements grey bathroom furniture easily.
Woodgrain finishes
Wooden and moulded wood seats feature woodgrain finishes in a range of wood colours, including mahogany, oak, teak and more. These finishes offer a natural, more earthy look and work well with other wooden bathroom furniture.
Other colours also available
Toilet seats are available in a range of different colours, such as blue, green and red, allowing you to coordinate with existing furnishings.
- Plastic seats have pigment mixed into the resin during manufacturing for a strong and consistent hue.
- Wooden seats can be painted to match your aesthetic, giving you the sturdy, tactile feel of wood in a single solid colour.
What’s the best toilet seat for my home?
With all the features, shapes, colours and fixing types available, how do you know what toilet seat to buy? Different types of toilet seat have different advantages. The best toilet seat for you depends on your individual requirements and preferences.
- For easy cleaning, consider a plastic toilet seat with quick-release hinges
- For a modern, designer bathroom, a square or D-shaped white toilet seat will create a more striking look
- Family bathrooms often benefit from a soft-close seat for safety and to reduce noise
- To complement coloured or wooden bathroom furniture, a toilet seat in a matching hue or wood finish can bring your bathroom design together
- For a back-to-wall or wall-hung toilet, a top-fixing design is best
Find out more
Still have questions? For more information about toilet seats, check out the articles below:
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