apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I'm with you on the Japanese style undercarriage washer. The bidet is old yet effective technology. Today, if you have to buy one less fixture that's one less water line, one less footprint, etc.

I live in Japan, and the bidets are the BEST. They are ugly as sin (basically it's like sitting on a very gadgety dishwasher) but the seats are heated, and there are about 5 options of how you would like your, ahem, bidet to function. I love them and wish they had them in the states.

thecreme.wordpress.com

to the european readers of AT, question: do you have a bidet?
living in europe and knowing not that bunch of people with a bidet makes me wondering....

No.

I'd love a dual-flushing toilet, though.

You guys are obsessed with these things! As sure as the sun rises, you can rely on AT to cover Ikea, Target and bidets!

"We actually prefer the modern Japanese style in toilet bidet systems..."

Hyphens are your friend.

In Italy, where I am from, every bathroom has got a bidet next or in front of the toilet, I think it's obligatory.

In the Czech Republic, where I live, bidet are trendy and newly built flats or houses usually include bidets. The problems is where to put them, since, in the CZ, the toilet is secluded in a separate closet-size room. Czech people generally find disgusting the only thought of putting the toilet in the same room as the bathtub (as I find disgusting not being able to wash myself properly immediately after using the toilet, both hands and rear end).
There is , however, a trend of building all including bathroom in the the new flats. I live in an old flat and we added a mini-sink with attached shower to use as a bidet when we renovated our toilet, it's a great improvement.

I'd rather have a urinal.

I was just going to say that hejiranyc - Gregory went all the way to Portugal and this is what he features?

It's been discussed!

"Hyphens are your friend." - Jean

They've been hoarded elsewhere.

I'd rather have a Japanese built-in bidet/toilet combo.

Editing should be every blogger's friend - best friend.

K T G: I would hope you could give me a bit of time to regroup and get my thoughts together, please. I only got back late last night so give a fella an opportunity to ease back into his time zone.

The bathroom was the first thing I snapped during my stay in Portugal. And yes, I do like bidets and think they're a novel idea for Americans who are curious and suspicious of them, so I posted this first while I'm formulating several other ideas and experiences to write about during my stay. It was also my first time personally ever using a European version, so the subject/question was relevant from a personal perspective.

A summary of the trip and experience deserves some patience and processing 300 photos takes a bit of time. I know you'd like to see something different that appeals specifically to your own preferences, and I'll try my best to meet that challenge, but in the meantime I beg some patience on your part. I've hardly even had time to unpack, pet the cats, kiss the girlfriend and get back into form here in Los Angeles.

separate no. included yes. urinal in a home? wow. well there wouldn't be arguments about the seat up any longer...

My first day in Japan I think I stayed in the WC for 1/2 hr. just testing the functions. I was recently on world's cheapest vacation with a bunch of girls in Florida and was amazed to find a separate bidet in our condo; since when is that a middle-class America thing? i think it was a part of the "roman bath" featured style along with the columns surrounding the jacuzzi.

Here in France I've never had one in my apartments, yet you can find them in older bathrooms. Barely anyone still uses them, except the kids for washing their hands at their level.

Here in Switzerland, there had originally been one in our (tiny) master bath; it was ripped out some time ago, and replaced with storage. The bidet now sits gathering dust (along with the 6 coffee and end tables we removed from our furnished rental) in our bomb shelter.

Friends who still have them usually use them to store rubbers ducks and other bath toys.

European style bidets always seemed awkward to me... but after spending a few months in Japan I got absolutely hooked on the bathroom features. We're redoing our bathroom and the first thing I had on the list was the washlet seat and a tub that maintains its temp without bubbles.

I'm with the Japanese style of toilette. The calming music, warmed seat, and rare but still available "fresh scent" feature is absolutely amazing. I don't care if they are ugly as sin. European bidets/toilets seem so outdated compared to the Japanese counterparts.

I hate "bidets"!!!!!

No, Laurie, it wasnt a part of the "roman bath".
Its a french invention ("bidet" is also a french word). ;)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bidet

Lisboa - Portugal

I have a bidet in my bathroom and I used it once in like 9 years. To wash blood from my foot, when the shower was occupied

I think I would prefer the Japanese style ones better. I have considered putting one in, actually.

Use of Japanese washlets has led to "washlet syndrome" among some people in Japan. The details are not for delicate ears, but you can look it up on Wikipedia. Suffice it to say, there are some bad physiological side effects.

I've lived with one and can't say I miss it.

And, Gregory, some of us do appreciate AT and its contributors. Seriously... thank you.

If space is a problem then a great alternative to installing a stand alone bidet is a portable bathroom bidet sprayer from BathroomSprayers.com. It can be attached easily (without a plumber) to your existing water supply for the toilet and comes in many styles and colors. It also gives you more water pressure and control than fixed bidets. Available at www.bathroomsprayers.com You can pay for it with toilet paper savings and it's better for the environment. I think Dr. Oz on Oprah said it best: "if you had pee or poop on your hand, you wouldn't wipe it off with paper, would you? You'd wash it off"

A bidet would be nice, but I don't think I could use something attached to the inside of the toilet. It just icks me.

I agree with Modtramp; I do appreciate the well-thought-out, clever posts you do, Gregory. The constant negativity is a bummer, but it seems like it generally comes from a few people who have too much time on their hands and read every single post in minute detail. Maybe they should apply for a job at A-T and find out that it's actually a pretty grueling job to come up with fresh content 5 days a week, and that the unending stream of criticism isn't exactly a perk.

I do not understand american citizens. How do you wash yourself after peeing or nr 2? you do not use a bidet? do you shower everytime or do you remain dirty?

In the southern part of Europe we wash ourselves ( so the bidet is mandatory). It is also very good for the kids- they are able to wash face and hands without help. And for feet.... and to bath the cat... and after sex....

You do not know what you are missing!

RKN: you don't know how much it means to read your comment. Sometimes we feel like line cooks in a packed coffee shop with people shouting for their particular and specific orders....NOW! I absolutely love AT and our readers...it's my life and passion, but sentiments like yours can be few and far between, unfortunately. Your kindness at this time is like water to a parched throat.