The journey of transforming a house into a home often involves countless decisions, big and small. Today, we’re diving into one such crucial upgrade that, while perhaps not the most glamorous, dramatically impacts the feel and functionality of a key space: the bathroom. And yes, that means more pictures of toilets! We know our blog isn’t typically dedicated to porcelain thrones, but trust us, this transformation is worth sharing. We’re incredibly excited to unveil our new, distinctly non-almond toilet, a refreshing change that has brought a surprising amount of joy and brightness to our space. If you recall, our previous almond-colored fixture wasn’t quite our style. While we respect that some might appreciate its vintage charm, for us, a crisp white toilet was a long-awaited dream.
The decision to replace our toilet wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about creating a cohesive, clean, and truly functional bathroom. The almond tone, despite regular scrubbing, never truly looked sparkling clean. It had a peculiar way of always appearing slightly off, robbing the room of a sense of freshness. A white toilet, in contrast, instantly brightens the space, aligns perfectly with the mid-century modern aesthetic of our home, and ties in beautifully with our newly painted white trim and shower curtain. It’s amazing how a single fixture can influence the entire perception of cleanliness and style within a room. This craving for a pristine white fixture became so intense that we found ourselves genuinely excited on the eve of our toilet shopping trip, uttering phrases like, “Tomorrow is going to be awesome!” Such is the power of home renovation dreams.
Our inherited almond toilet, with its somewhat futuristic, “space-age” design, initially seemed like an oddity. While not as avant-garde as some of the more elaborate designs we’d jokingly considered, it was, surprisingly, a high-end fixture. A quick check on the manufacturer’s website revealed that this particular Kohler model retailed for over $1,300 – and remarkably, the almond color was even more expensive than its white counterpart! Who would have thought an outdated color could command such a premium? However, despite its hefty price tag, its aesthetics never resonated with us. For the 15 months since we moved in, we’d yearned for, craved, and daydreamed about a nice, traditional-looking white toilet. Our practical sensibilities (and our posteriors, frankly) couldn’t discern a significant difference in comfort or performance between a thousand-dollar toilet and a hundred-dollar one, making the aesthetic mismatch even more pronounced.
Strategic Planning: Measurements and Considerations for Your Toilet Replacement
Before diving headfirst into the world of new toilets, thorough planning and accurate measurements are absolutely essential for a smooth bathroom renovation. Our first critical step was to meticulously double-check our measurements, primarily focusing on the “rough-in” distance. The rough-in refers to the distance from the wall behind the toilet to the center of the drainpipe bolts on the floor. While 12 inches is the industry standard, our existing setup measured closer to 11.5 inches, causing a slight moment of apprehension. However, since the current toilet was listed as a 12-inch model, we confidently proceeded with the assumption that another 12-inch model would fit seamlessly.
Beyond the rough-in, the compact nature of our bathroom necessitated careful consideration of other clearances. We paid close attention to the space between the side wall and the bathroom door when fully open. This crucial step prevented us from purchasing an elongated bowl toilet, which, while often preferred for comfort, would have unfortunately caused the door to collide with the front of the bowl, rendering it impractical. We had briefly entertained the idea of reversing the door’s swing, but redirecting it to open into the bedroom would block half of the charming sink nook, obscuring the beautiful chandelier reflection in the mirror centered over the sink. Preserving that open area without any door infringement was paramount for both optimal function and aesthetic form, solidifying our choice for a standard, round-bowl model.
The Removal Process: Making Way for Modernity
While a full, detailed walkthrough of the toilet removal and installation process has been covered in a previous, dedicated post, it’s worth a brief recap of the general steps to appreciate the effort involved in this bathroom upgrade. The initial phase, of course, involves carefully removing the old commode. This isn’t always a one-person job, especially with older, single-piece units. After capturing the obligatory “before” shot of the almond toilet making its exit, my partner, Sherry, kindly assisted in carrying the heavy, one-piece unit out of the room. We’re accustomed to models where the tank detaches from the bowl, making transport easier, so this integrated design presented a bit more of a challenge.
Once the old toilet is out, you’re inevitably left with what we affectionately call the “chalk outline” – the always-revealing footprint of where the toilet once stood. This often exposes a ring of grime, rust, or old wax residue that has accumulated over years, starkly contrasting with the cleaner tile underneath. Fortunately, in our case, the gunk and rust line wiped up relatively easily, leaving the floor ready for its fresh, new occupant in no time. The cleaning step is crucial, as it ensures a solid, clean surface for the new wax ring and a proper, leak-free seal. With the area prepped and pristine, we were quickly ready for the installation of our new toilet, narrowly averting a potty pun in the process!
The transformation from a discolored, outdated space to a bright, modern aesthetic hinges on these preparatory steps. Even small details, like thoroughly cleaning the flange area, contribute to the overall success and longevity of the new installation. It’s a moment of truth, revealing the hidden history of the bathroom floor, but also an opportunity to truly start fresh. This crucial juncture sets the stage for the arrival of our exciting new white toilet, ready to redefine the room’s character. The anticipation of seeing the clean, new fixture in place after years of enduring the almond tone was truly palpable, making every step of the cleaning and prep work feel incredibly rewarding.
Introducing the Upgrade: Our Choice for a Fresh Start
Now, for the main event: our new toilet! After much consideration, we opted for an $88 model from Glacier Bay, found conveniently at Home Depot. Our decision wasn’t driven by obsessive research but rather by a practical alignment of key criteria. First and foremost, it perfectly matched our crucial rough-in and door clearance measurements. Beyond that, it boasted an excellent “flush rating” – a critical factor for efficiency and avoiding future headaches. Furthermore, its eco-friendly design was a major plus, promising to cut our annual water bills by an average of $90. We also plan to enhance its water-saving capabilities even further by adding our handy little dual-flush conversion feature, which wouldn’t have fit in the more futuristically shaped almond model.
Visually, the Glacier Bay model’s classic white design was exactly what we envisioned for our mid-century ranch. And of course, the price was undeniably right, offering incredible value without compromising on quality or features. Adding to our confidence in this choice was the positive feedback we’d received from many of our readers regarding Glacier Bay products in previous toilet-related blog posts. Their collective endorsements served as a reassuring testament to the brand’s reliability and performance. This combination of affordability, functionality, aesthetic appeal, and community approval made the Glacier Bay toilet the clear winner for our bathroom upgrade.
While the toilet proudly came with most of the necessary installation hardware, we did encounter a minor hiccup that required a quick trip back to the store. Our toilet flange was set a bit deep into the tile floor, meaning we needed an extra-thick wax ring kit to ensure a robust, leak-proof seal. This small, unexpected purchase was a minimal additional expense, just a few extra bucks, but an important one for a secure installation. It’s a prime example of how even well-planned DIY projects can have minor, easily resolvable surprises, and why it’s always good to anticipate potential variations in your home’s existing setup.
Installation Insights: DIY Tips for a Smooth Transition
During the installation process, we put a clever tip from our readers to the test, and it proved to be a game-changer: placing drinking straws over the bolts. This simple yet effective trick helps guide the toilet bowl down for a perfectly smooth landing, ensuring the bowl aligns precisely over the flange without any awkward maneuvering or frustrating misalignments. The extra length provided by the straws makes it much easier to visually line up the bolt holes, especially when dealing with the weight and bulk of a new toilet. While I handled the primary positioning, Sherry provided invaluable guidance, offering cues like “a little to the left” to perfect the alignment.
For those wondering about the appearance of the black ring around the flange, rest assured, it’s not anything unsanitary! It’s simply leftover wax residue from the previous wax ring that we had diligently scraped up during the cleaning process. This attention to detail, combined with practical tips like the straw method, significantly streamlines the installation, turning a potentially frustrating task into a manageable DIY success. The satisfaction of seeing the toilet gently settle into place, perfectly aligned, is a rewarding moment in any bathroom renovation project, especially when you’ve tackled it yourself.
Again, a more comprehensive guide to toilet installation is available in our dedicated post, but I simply couldn’t resist sharing one particular photograph from the process. I managed to capture a truly magical moment: that special time of day when the sun’s rays stream directly into the toilet bowl, making it glow with an almost ethereal light. It looked as if we had inadvertently opened a portal to another dimension right there in our bathroom! It was a fun, unexpected visual that added a touch of whimsy to an otherwise practical task. Flush me down, Scotty!
The Reveal: A Bright New Era for Our Bathroom
Let’s fast forward to the glorious moment: the new toilet, fully installed and looking utterly bright and fresh in its new home. The impact is immediate and transformative. We firmly believe this pristine white fixture helps redirect attention away from the subtle beige tones of the floor tile and towards the deliberate white accents we’ve incorporated throughout the room. These now include the shower curtain, window trim, door, light switch and outlet covers, and even certain hues within our chosen artwork. And, of course, the universally appealing white roll of toilet paper seamlessly blends into this refreshed aesthetic, adding a touch of humor to the overall cohesion.
This white toilet also feels far more in tune with the authentic mid-century ranch style of our home, creating a harmonious and period-appropriate look. What’s more, it’s a close aesthetic relative to the two other white toilets we have in our other bathrooms, and for some reason, that sense of consistent design across the house gives us an unexpected thrill. It’s a testament to the idea that cohesive elements contribute to a happy home. As the saying goes, “Cohesive toilets, happy life!” (We’re still working on that old, brassy doorknob – it’s definitely on the list for a future update!).
Functionally, our new bathroom friend, while not quite as expensive as its predecessor, performs just as admirably, if not better. One unexpected bonus for me, as a taller individual, is that this model is actually a bit taller, making it considerably more comfortable to sit down on. Even my shorter wife noted, “I feel less squatted on the new toilet,” which she certainly meant as a compliment to its improved ergonomics. Crucially, this model is also compatible with a dual-flush conversion kit – a feature that wouldn’t fit into the more uniquely shaped, futuristic almond model. We’ve already purchased the kit and plan to install it soon, but we wanted to allow the toilet to operate as Glacier Bay intended for a few days first, just to ensure everything was running perfectly under the hood before we “supercharged” its water efficiency.
Beyond the Bowl: The Bathroom’s Evolving Narrative
Our formerly somewhat nondescript, beige “box” of a bathroom, which once felt bland and uninspired…
…is now slowly but surely coming to life. While there are still several items on our renovation checklist, the room is genuinely starting to feel more like “us” with each passing day. The removal of the outdated almond toilet and its replacement with a crisp white fixture has been a significant step in establishing the clean, mid-century aesthetic we’re aiming for. It’s amazing how one change can spark a cascade of improvements, each one contributing to the overall vision. Every completed task brings us closer to a bathroom that is not only functional but also a true reflection of our personal style and the character of our home.
Of course, the bathroom isn’t just about the toilet, and exploring some of the other angles of the room reveals how various elements are beginning to coalesce. The interplay of new and existing features is creating a much more engaging and enjoyable space.
Here’s an updated look at our ever-evolving bathroom to-do list, reflecting the progress we’ve made and what’s still to come:
Paint the walls for added contrastReplace the outdated “boob light” fixturePaint the cream trim a fresh whiteHang some bathroom-friendly artworkCraigslist the old toilet and replace it with a classic white one- Install a privacy solution for the window
- Remove the door to shave its bottom, allowing clearance for a rug or bathmat (and add a door stopper to protect the artwork)
- Replace the decorative border tile around the room (perhaps in a future Phase 2 of renovations)
- Adjust the blue pendant light to hang perfectly centered in front of the window
- Eventually replace the floor tile to introduce more visual interest and break up the current extensive tiling
For context on some of these bullet points, here’s a peek at the original mood board we put together a few weeks back. It serves as our guiding vision for the overall bathroom design and aesthetic, ensuring every decision contributes to the cohesive final look. You can find the full breakdown and initial planning details in our earlier post dedicated to this long-ignored master bathroom.
Sustainability and Value: Rehoming the Old and Looking Ahead
In our commitment to both smart renovation and sustainability, we’ve listed the old Kohler toilet on Craigslist. While it is, of course, a gently used fixture, it’s still a $1,300 toilet from a reputable brand. Our hope is to find it a good new home and perhaps recoup some funds to mentally offset the purchase of our new, more aesthetically pleasing toilet. We’ve already had an offer of $60, so it seems likely it will soon find a new purpose. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on its fate!
But enough about our toilet tales. We’d love to hear from you! Has anyone else recently posted pictures of their porcelain throne on their blog, or are we truly alone in this particular niche? Do you have any other toilet-related upgrades, photographed or unphotographed, that you’re proud of? Or perhaps you’ve tackled a similar project, swapping out outdated beige, almond, or biscuit-colored fixtures for something fresh, white, or stainless steel? We’re always eager to hear about your home improvement journeys and the transformative power of a few strategic changes.
Psst – To follow this entire bathroom sprucing project from its very beginning, be sure to check out these related posts: our initial planning post, the wall painting post, our light-swapping adventure, and the post detailing our art and trim painting updates.