You know you’ve made an impression when people quote you in major magazines or you get invited onto big shows. But what if one of your top Google results is “young house love toilet”? If that phrase brought you here and searching our blog didn’t give you a clear answer, this post is for you. We’ll cover why we love this toilet, how it performs, where it fits stylistically, and some practical tips for buying and installing one.
Our top pick is the Kohler Memoirs Elongated Toilet, also known in some listings as the Memoirs Stately Elongated. We first installed it seven years ago in a powder room and immediately appreciated its comfortable seat, classic appearance, and consistent performance. Since then we’ve used the same model in multiple homes because it reliably does its job without fuss.
Why Is It Our Favorite Toilet?
What first drew us to this model was the slightly elevated, refined design—crown-molding style detail along the top of the tank and a complementary base detail. It felt like a deliberate, finished choice rather than an afterthought, which suited the traditional style of our Richmond home. For those who care about the overall look of fixtures—faucets, shower hardware, and accessories—the Memoirs toilet reads as intentional and elevated.
We’ve also placed this toilet in a more modern, beachy house in Florida and it fits nicely there, too. Some contemporary toilets have simpler, more rounded forms that can feel generic to us, whereas the Memoirs keeps a classic silhouette that adapts to many styles. It comes in various finishes—black, gray, greige, and white—though we typically choose classic white.
Functionally, it’s been outstanding. We’ve owned three of these over seven years and used them every day; none required a repair, and we’ve never had to plunge one. That kind of reliability is rare for household fixtures and is a major reason we keep returning to this model.
Beyond looks and reliability, the elongated bowl and comfort-height design make it noticeably more comfortable than many cheaper, more compact models. For daily use, that added comfort matters.
How Much Does It Cost?
This model isn’t the cheapest option. Depending on current pricing and availability, it can be listed around $399 or higher. For budget-focused projects—like a rental renovation—we sometimes choose a more economical toilet. But in our everyday bathrooms, we consider the extra expense worth the comfort, look, and long-term reliability.
A practical tip: many retailers sell the tank and bowl but do not include a toilet seat, so double-check the product listing. We recommend choosing a quiet-close, elongated seat to match the bowl and keep the visual proportions correct.
Want A More Basic Budget-Friendly Toilet?
If price is a priority, we’ve had excellent luck with a dependable Delta model that we used multiple times across different houses. For the money, it performs very well and has an excellent track record in rentals and secondary bathrooms. Read reviews and compare features like bowl shape, flushing performance, and warranty to find the best value.
Ok, Back To Our Favorite Toilet – How About Some Before & Afters?
If you want to see how this toilet looks in real renovations, we’ve featured it in several bathroom makeovers. One project shows a compact family bathroom shared by four people, and another is a full master bath renovation where we removed walls, reconfigured the layout, and replaced finishes. Those posts include before-and-after photos and budget breakdowns that list the toilet among the line items.
We also documented a closet renovation using affordable storage systems and shared a walkthrough video showing how we organized the space. Even if a toilet isn’t directly part of that closet, you’ll spot it reflected in mirrors—another reminder to consider how fixtures appear in the overall room composition.
All of this reinforces a simple point: a toilet is visible and should feel like a thoughtful part of your design, not an afterthought.
How To Install Or Fix A Toilet
Replacing a toilet is a project many homeowners can tackle themselves. We’ve installed toilets multiple times and found it straightforward with the right tools and instructions. Common tasks include removing the old unit, replacing the wax ring, aligning the new bowl and tank, and attaching the seat. If you’re not comfortable with plumbing work, hiring a professional ensures proper sealing and hookup.
- How to install a toilet: Follow step-by-step instructions and check that the flange and floor are level before setting the bowl.
- How to replace an old toilet: Remove the old unit carefully, inspect the flange, and replace worn parts like bolts and the wax ring.
- How to fix a toilet that rocks: Use shims to level the base and trim them flush before sealing.
- How to add a dual-flush converter kit: Consider a retrofit kit if you want a more efficient flush without replacing the full toilet.
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