How to Choose Toilet Accessories: Seats, Brushes and Paper Holders
Four items make up the toilet corner: a brush and holder, a paper holder with a reserve, a small waste bin, and a contour rug. Together they cost between $75 and $130 here, and they are the cheapest visible upgrade in a bathroom because they sit at eye level when you walk in. The toilet seat is a fifth item, and it is the one worth measuring carefully.
How do I measure for a replacement toilet seat?
Measure from the centre of the bolt holes at the back to the front edge of the bowl. About 16.5 inches means round; about 18.5 inches means elongated. Also measure the distance between the two bolt holes. 5.5 inches is the standard on both shapes.
| Bowl shape | Bolt-to-front length | Seat | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round | ~16.5 in. | 17 in. molded wood, white / taupe / gray / black | $58.99 |
| Elongated | ~18.5 in. | Adjustable-length elongated seat | $74.99 |
| Elongated, decorative | ~18.5 in. | 18 in. Carrara Noir marble effect | $89.99 |
If you are between sizes or you are buying for a rental where you have not seen the bowl, the adjustable-length elongated seat is the one that forgives a measuring mistake. All our toilet seats are molded wood, which is heavier and quieter than plastic.
Freestanding or wall-mounted toilet paper holder?
Freestanding if you rent or the wall beside the toilet is tiled; wall-mounted if you have drywall and want the floor clear. Drilling into tile to mount a paper holder is a job most people regret.
- Freestanding stand, $29.99 in black, silver or white. Holds the working roll plus spares on the post.
- Freestanding with a folding arm and reserve, $44.99. The arm swings out to change the roll one-handed.
- Cabinet with dispenser, $79.99 for the 6-roll version or $99.99 for the larger storage cabinet. This is the one to buy if you have no under-sink storage at all. It hides the spare rolls instead of stacking them on the tank.
- Wall mounted stainless steel, $36.99, or a suction-mounted holder at $21.99 for tile you do not want to drill.
- 4-roll wire reserve, $19.99. The cheapest way to stop rolls living on the floor.
All options are in toilet paper holders and dispensers.
What makes a good toilet brush holder?
Weight and a removable insert. A light holder tips over when you pull the brush out, and a holder you cannot empty turns into a reservoir of dirty water. Everything else is aesthetics.
Practical picks from our toilet brush range (57 in stock, $26.99–$44.99):
- Diamond stoneware, $34.99. Heavy ceramic body, our best seller. Will not tip.
- Stainless steel with a folding lid and removable insert, $31.99. The lid hides the brush head and the insert lifts out for rinsing. The most hygienic design here.
- Polyresin with a bamboo handle, $39.99. In navy blue, terracotta, matte green and beige, to match a coordinated accessory set.
- NOUMEA brushed aluminum, $26.99. The slimmest footprint if the gap beside the toilet is narrow.
What size waste bin belongs next to a toilet?
2.5 to 5 liters, roughly 0.8 to 1.3 gallons. A kitchen-sized bin dominates the corner and gets emptied far less often than it should. Bathroom bins are deliberately small so they are emptied weekly.
The Padang 1.3 gal bin with a bamboo top ($39.99) is by a wide margin our best-selling bin. If you want a foot pedal so you never touch the lid, the 2.5 L pedal bin with a bamboo lid ($49.99) comes in eight colors including navy, terracotta, sage and mustard. For a soft-close metal look, the 3 L soft-close step can is $49.99. Full range in toilet wastebaskets.
Do I need a rug around the toilet base?
Only if you want one, but if you buy one, buy the U-shaped contour size, not a rectangle. A rectangular mat pushed against a toilet leaves a gap that collects dust and never sits straight.
Contour rugs are cut at 18 x 20 in. or 19.7 x 17.7 in. and cost $21.99–$24.99. They come in the same memory foam colorways as the standard bath rugs, so a taupe contour rug matches a taupe 32 x 20 in. bath rug exactly. Measure from the wall to the front of the bowl first: past about 21 inches, a contour rug will leave a visible gap and a runner works better. See toilet contour rugs.
What does the whole toilet corner cost?
| Item | Budget | Mid |
|---|---|---|
| Brush and holder | $26.99 | $39.99 |
| Paper holder | $19.99 wire reserve | $44.99 folding arm |
| Waste bin | $39.99 | $49.99 |
| Contour rug | $21.99 | $24.99 |
| Total | $108.96 | $159.96 |
A 2-piece coordinated set covers the two items people notice most. The terracotta bin and brush set is $64.99, against $79.98 buying comparable pieces separately.
Common questions
Are molded wood toilet seats heavier than plastic? Yes, noticeably. That weight is why they do not rattle and why the lid stays where you put it. It also means the hinges matter. Check the bolts are tight after the first month.
Can a suction-mounted paper holder hold on tile? On smooth, non-porous tile and glass, yes. On textured stone or grout lines, no. If in doubt, use a freestanding stand.
How often should a toilet brush be replaced? Every 6–12 months, or as soon as the bristles splay. Holders with a removable insert let you keep the holder and replace only the brush.
What else finishes a small toilet room? An over-the-door hook rack ($14.99) and a tissue box cover ($24.99) do more for a half bath than any amount of decorating.
