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Should a Washlet or Bidet Feature in Your Next Bathroom Reno?
The humble toilet has smartened up with must-have features that many homeowners want – and expect. Is yours up to date?
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The bathroom is one of the most expensive rooms in the home to renovate, so it pays to get the design right from the outset to ensure yours won’t date for decades. But there’s more to renovating a bathroom, ensuite or powder room than selecting tiles and taps – new trends in toilets are changing what homeowners expect in forward-thinking bathroom designs. To find out everything you need to know, Houzz spoke with Austpek Bathrooms for the latest innovations in smart toilets, washlets and bidets.
TOTO Neorest LE I Wall-Hung Integrated Toilet and Washlet, from Austpek Bathrooms.
What’s the Difference Between Smart Toilets, Washlets and Bidets?
In many parts of Europe it’s customary to have a toilet and bidet side-by-side. Bidets are designed to clean people’s nether regions with a warm stream of water after using the toilet, and their design has come a long way since their inception. They are growing in popularity in Australia though have been commonplace in France and other parts of Europe for centuries – in fact, swathes of designers would never consider not including both when renovating or building a bathroom.
While toilets and bidets are fixed to the plumbing in your bathroom wall or floor, washlets on the other hand consist of an electronic toilet seat and lid that is placed on top of your toilet bowl. They are usually easy to fit and remove, and simply replace the standard seat and lid to equip a toilet with a cleansing bidet-style experience. Since TOTO pioneered its first washlet in 1980 in Japan, these clever models have become the norm in many Asian countries, and their popularity is taking off here too.
Washlets and smart toilets come into their own in compact powder rooms, ensuites and bathrooms that don’t have room for a toilet and adjacent bidet, because they combine the two functions in one smart design and take up no extra floor space.
With home hygiene under the microscope in recent years, more and more Australians are turning away from traditional toilets and opting for smart toilets, washlets or toilet-and-bidet set-ups instead. So it comes as no surprise that many designers are including these progressive fixtures in Australian bathrooms.
What’s the Difference Between Smart Toilets, Washlets and Bidets?
In many parts of Europe it’s customary to have a toilet and bidet side-by-side. Bidets are designed to clean people’s nether regions with a warm stream of water after using the toilet, and their design has come a long way since their inception. They are growing in popularity in Australia though have been commonplace in France and other parts of Europe for centuries – in fact, swathes of designers would never consider not including both when renovating or building a bathroom.
While toilets and bidets are fixed to the plumbing in your bathroom wall or floor, washlets on the other hand consist of an electronic toilet seat and lid that is placed on top of your toilet bowl. They are usually easy to fit and remove, and simply replace the standard seat and lid to equip a toilet with a cleansing bidet-style experience. Since TOTO pioneered its first washlet in 1980 in Japan, these clever models have become the norm in many Asian countries, and their popularity is taking off here too.
Washlets and smart toilets come into their own in compact powder rooms, ensuites and bathrooms that don’t have room for a toilet and adjacent bidet, because they combine the two functions in one smart design and take up no extra floor space.
With home hygiene under the microscope in recent years, more and more Australians are turning away from traditional toilets and opting for smart toilets, washlets or toilet-and-bidet set-ups instead. So it comes as no surprise that many designers are including these progressive fixtures in Australian bathrooms.
TOTO Neorest RH Integrated Toilet and Washlet, from Austpek Bathrooms.
What Are the Benefits?
All washlets, bidets and smart toilets offer a basic suite of features that becomes progressively more extensive and advanced as the models become more sophisticated and luxurious.
Most come equipped with a heated seat, odour-neutralising and deodorising technology, cleansing front and rear warm-water spray settings, a warm air dryer, plus innovations that improve the cleanliness of the fixture and its users. You can also expect them to have a soft night light to guide you in the dark as well as energy-saving sleep modes. Smart toilets, washlets and bidets are designed to conserve water, too.
Most designs come with a remote control, such as the back-to-wall Gallaria Danza Comfort Universal Smart Toilet suite. And some can even be controlled via an app on your smartphone or tablet as well as via remote control, including the Lafeme Lucci Smart Toilet.
With wall-hung and floor mounted designs to choose from, plus models with regular or concealed cisterns, there is a wide range of styles and sizes to suit different bathrooms.
What Are the Benefits?
All washlets, bidets and smart toilets offer a basic suite of features that becomes progressively more extensive and advanced as the models become more sophisticated and luxurious.
Most come equipped with a heated seat, odour-neutralising and deodorising technology, cleansing front and rear warm-water spray settings, a warm air dryer, plus innovations that improve the cleanliness of the fixture and its users. You can also expect them to have a soft night light to guide you in the dark as well as energy-saving sleep modes. Smart toilets, washlets and bidets are designed to conserve water, too.
Most designs come with a remote control, such as the back-to-wall Gallaria Danza Comfort Universal Smart Toilet suite. And some can even be controlled via an app on your smartphone or tablet as well as via remote control, including the Lafeme Lucci Smart Toilet.
With wall-hung and floor mounted designs to choose from, plus models with regular or concealed cisterns, there is a wide range of styles and sizes to suit different bathrooms.
TOTO Neorest LE I Wall-Hung Integrated Toilet and Washlet, from Austpek Bathrooms.
Are They More Hygienic?
In a word, yes. At Houzz, the long list of hygiene-enhancing functions of smart toilets, washlets and bidets caught our eye. This includes the hands-free opening and closing feature, which improves hand hygiene and avoids the unpleasant ‘please close the lid’ conversation heard in households across the country.
Some include a rimless design for a more sanitary fixture, many feature anti-bacterial seats for improved cleanliness, and most have superior cleaning functions that reduce germ growth. Add to this the automatic flush and we’re officially converted.
Are They More Hygienic?
In a word, yes. At Houzz, the long list of hygiene-enhancing functions of smart toilets, washlets and bidets caught our eye. This includes the hands-free opening and closing feature, which improves hand hygiene and avoids the unpleasant ‘please close the lid’ conversation heard in households across the country.
Some include a rimless design for a more sanitary fixture, many feature anti-bacterial seats for improved cleanliness, and most have superior cleaning functions that reduce germ growth. Add to this the automatic flush and we’re officially converted.
Lafeme Lucci Smart Toilet in White, from Austpek Bathrooms.
Do Smart Toilets, Washlets and Bidets Reduce Cleaning Time?
In welcome news for homeowners, these clever designs make quick work of cleaning day. Most smart toilets, washlets and bidets include self-cleaning functions and innovations that make them easier to clean – and keep them that way.
The entry-level TOTO Washlet, for example, has a pre-mist spray feature that finely coats the bowl before use to make it difficult for marks to adhere. The washlet can also be removed with ease if a deeper clean is required.
A popular mid-range option, the rimless design and bowl of the Lafeme Lucci Smart Toilet is equipped with a self-cleaning glaze, which makes cleaning a cinch. It also uses a strong whirlpool action and high-suction siphon jet flush to completely remove waste after use.
And if you like to regularly mop beneath the pan, smart toilets and bidets come in stylish wall-hung designs as well as floor-mounted models.
Do Smart Toilets, Washlets and Bidets Reduce Cleaning Time?
In welcome news for homeowners, these clever designs make quick work of cleaning day. Most smart toilets, washlets and bidets include self-cleaning functions and innovations that make them easier to clean – and keep them that way.
The entry-level TOTO Washlet, for example, has a pre-mist spray feature that finely coats the bowl before use to make it difficult for marks to adhere. The washlet can also be removed with ease if a deeper clean is required.
A popular mid-range option, the rimless design and bowl of the Lafeme Lucci Smart Toilet is equipped with a self-cleaning glaze, which makes cleaning a cinch. It also uses a strong whirlpool action and high-suction siphon jet flush to completely remove waste after use.
And if you like to regularly mop beneath the pan, smart toilets and bidets come in stylish wall-hung designs as well as floor-mounted models.
TOTO Neorest NX II French Gold Smart Toilet, from Austpek Bathrooms.
How Much Do Smart Toilets, Washlets and Bidets Cost?
According to Austpek Bathrooms, which supplies a collection of smart toilets, washlets and bidets from different brands, prices range from about AU$1500 to AU$33,000.
One of the most popular designs is the D-shaped TOTO Washlet with side control, which is embraced for its lower price point as well as its suite of functions. Some of its features include front, rear and oscillating cleansing functions; an adjustable warm air dryer; a heated seat with temperature control; automatic deodoriser; energy-saving technology and more.
The sky’s the limit with smart toilets, washlets and bidets, and as such, homeowners who want a royal flush may consider the TOTO Neorest NX II French Gold smart toilet, which features a gold remote finish. As well as the standard suite of functions, this premium model uses Actilight, an invisible UV light hidden discreetly inside the toilet, to rid the bowl of visible and invisible waste for heightened hygiene.
With clever inclusions such as these, it’s no wonder that many homeowners now expect more from high-end bathroom design.
How Much Do Smart Toilets, Washlets and Bidets Cost?
According to Austpek Bathrooms, which supplies a collection of smart toilets, washlets and bidets from different brands, prices range from about AU$1500 to AU$33,000.
One of the most popular designs is the D-shaped TOTO Washlet with side control, which is embraced for its lower price point as well as its suite of functions. Some of its features include front, rear and oscillating cleansing functions; an adjustable warm air dryer; a heated seat with temperature control; automatic deodoriser; energy-saving technology and more.
The sky’s the limit with smart toilets, washlets and bidets, and as such, homeowners who want a royal flush may consider the TOTO Neorest NX II French Gold smart toilet, which features a gold remote finish. As well as the standard suite of functions, this premium model uses Actilight, an invisible UV light hidden discreetly inside the toilet, to rid the bowl of visible and invisible waste for heightened hygiene.
With clever inclusions such as these, it’s no wonder that many homeowners now expect more from high-end bathroom design.
TOTO Neorest XH II Integrated Toilet and Washlet, from Austpek Bathrooms.
More: To find out more about smart toilets, washlets and bidets, visit the Austpek Bathrooms website.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
More: To find out more about smart toilets, washlets and bidets, visit the Austpek Bathrooms website.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Since its establishment in 2000, Austpek Bathrooms has focused on providing quality bathroom accessories and... Read More
Since its establishment in 2000, Austpek Bathrooms has focused on providing quality bathroom accessories and... Read More