Whether you're having a new house built or are just fixing up your current home, think about this. With the all the things you're thinking about, the toilet probably doesn't seem too important. Still, the toilet is a key piece of a comfortable, modern, well-functioning home. Following a few easy steps can assist you in the choosing the perfect toilet. Remember, all toilets are not built the same!

Here are the things to consider:

1). The bowl shape: You can choose an elongated shape or a round one. The round shape is appropriate if your bathroom space is limited. The larger elongated front is more comfortable and sanitary, since there is less drip on the toilet.

2). The toilet size: Toilets come in different widths, heights and lengths. To get a comfortable fit, make sure you measure the available space. You also need to consider the rough-in space, which is how far the center of the toilet bowl is from the finished wall, since this limits the size of the toilet.

3). How large is your toilet trapway?: This is toilet part through which water and waste exit. The minimum standard size is designed to accommodate waste of up to a 1 ? inch diameter. The larger the trapway, the less likely clogging will be.

4). The flushing system: Due to water conservation laws, toilet tanks in the US hold 1.6 gallons of water. However, you do still have some choices. The siphon created by the weight of the water pushes through the waste and empties the bowl in gravity fed toilets. With pressure assisted toilets, air in the tank is compressed as it fills with water. When flushing, the pressurized air pushes the water more strongly into the bowl, resulting in a better flush. Some drawbacks of pressure toilets are the higher price, increased noise and more complicated repairs.

5). One or two piece toilets: For the budget minded, toilets consisting of the two separate pieces of toilet bowl and tank are appropriate. A one piece toilet connects five to six parts into one seamless looking piece. They tend to more stylish, more expensive, easier to clean, and smaller, making them ideal for smaller spaces.

6). Ease of maintaining: Many better toilet designs include features to easily maintain them. For instance, Toto, an innovative Japanese manufacturer, has SanaGloss, a ceramic glaze which prevents bacteria and mold buildup, making the toilet easy to clean. American Standard has its EasyClean feature. The designers at Kohler have come up with an insulated liner that prevents moisture from condensation on the toilet tank's outside.

7). How the toilet looks: While a toilet needs to work well, it also needs to look good in your bathroom. Fortunately, today's toilets come in a huge selection of colors and sizes. Bear mind, though, that choosing a color other than white can significantly add to the toilet's price. If you want everything in your bathroom to match, you may want to consider buying a bathroom suite.

8). Other features: If you're willing to spend the money, you can get a fancy toilet with a built in bidet, heated seat or air drying system. Kohler Comfort Height toilets have a higher seat, making sitting down and standing easier.

So, there you have eight easy tips for choosing a toilet.