A Colored Toilet Seat May Be the Best $30 You Can Spend on Your Bathroom

published Dec 17, 2023
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Some design details surely go unnoticed during your day-to-day life, simply because a home is filled with ways to get your attention. But for these inconspicuous items, only two reasons really bring them into the spotlight: They break, or they trend. In this case, it’s the latter: I’m going to tell you that toilet seats are low-key having a moment. 

As far as aesthetics go, most people don’t pay much attention to a toilet seat. It’s one of those necessities that usually sticks firmly to the “function” camp, typically getting changed out upon moving into a new place or only when one falls into disrepair. Well, that seems to be changing. Designers and content creators alike are starting to choose toilet seats in colors that contrast the rest of their toilets’ finishes, giving this utilitarian spot a see-and-be-seen moment.

A black ring above a white base is a traditional take on this trend, and the look was first introduced by Kohler in the 1920s. This pre-war pairing is part of the current revival, and in some applications, it can look downright modern, too, depending on the rest of your loo. The best part of this low-lift mini makeover? Price. Sure, you can spend a lot on a toilet seat, but you can also get a pretty decent one for $30 to $40 at stores like The Home Depot, Wayfair, Build.com, Lowes, and Amazon

More daring colors are also in the mix. You can find a kaleidoscope of shades to incorporate — from navy and blush to yellow and purple — giving you the chance to add another shade to your palette.

Credit: Viv Yapp

Perhaps a colorful toilet seat could coordinate with a nearby vanity or with the tiles on the floor. It could also mix-and-match with accessories, or contrast with your shower finishes. Whatever the inspiration may be, these fun seats prove creativity in design can extend to the smallest details. Find a few of my favorites for sprucing up your commode below, and make sure you order the right size and shape seat; you’ll want to shop for a rounded or elongated style depending on your toilet. 

1 / 5
Home Depot
$92.14

Black is a timeless shade, even in this instance, and this contrast toilet seat would coordinate particularly well in a cottagecore or British-inspired bathroom (think: lots of wood tones and subway tiles). For a more budget option, check out a BEMIS version.

2 / 5
Home Depot
$63.69

For those who see navy as a neutral, this option would be a slightly more casual alternative to black. Blue would work well with a variety of wood tones, too.

3 / 5
Build with Ferguson

Purple is set to become one of the biggest colors for 2024 — you heard it here first! — and why not use it in a powder room, where it’s common to take design risks? By coordinating this shade of seat with a patterned wallpaper, you’ll delight any guest who stops in.

4 / 5
Amazon
$25.99
was $29.99

Green complements brass and beige well, and this design would be one unexpected way to bring a range of trends into your home. Add in a few plants, and you’ll be set with a boho bath look.

5 / 5
Amazon
$37.48

A blush toilet seat can either blend in or pop in a bathroom, depending on the other surrounding shades. It would be fun to pair this with gold accents for a real Golden Girls experience.