More Than Just a Flush: Rethinking the Modern Toilet

Today's bathrooms are spaces of comfort, style and calm. But there's one fixture that often misses this design shift: the toilet. Despite being overlooked, the evolution of the toilet in Australia reflects how far we've come in designing not just for practicality but for the way we want to live.

For much of our domestic history, the toilet was a functional afterthought. In many early Australian homes, it was located outside, often in a weatherboard outhouse at the edge of the yard. We modernised our homes after the war, but the toilet was still kept utilitarian, usually placed in a small room with little thought to finishes or integration.

The late 20th Century changed all that as new technologies became available. Australians began to prioritise saving water, primarily thanks to the invention of the dual flush toilet. Interior design also became more apparent as concealed cisterns and back-to-wall toilets allowed for cleaner lines and a more seamless relationship between the toilet, tiles and fixtures.

Today, the humble toilet has earned its place in the design conversation. It's no longer just about installing what fits; it's about what feels right in the space. Rimless pans, concealed plumbing, matte finishes and matching flush plates are all part of a shift toward bathrooms that are cohesive and considered. Even the smallest rooms in the home are being approached with an eye for materials, proportion and comfort.

At arthaus Bathroom & Kitchen, we see this change reflected every day. Homeowners and designers are choosing toilets that complement their overall aesthetic, whether it's a sculptural silhouette for a minimalist ensuite or a compact model for a cleverly planned powder room. Function remains essential, but now form carries just as much weight.

Just as we've designed our way through the past, we're now designing toward the future. Smart toilets are becoming an integral part of that conversation. With features like sensor-activated flushing, soft-close lids, and UV sterilisation, they offer a new level of hygiene and ease for the modern Australian home.

Coming soon to arthaus Bathroom & Kitchen, the Evoke Smart Toilet range by Argent brings together advanced hygiene features and thoughtful design in one sleek package. With a rimless pan for easier cleaning and a discreet, streamlined profile, Evoke blends seamlessly into contemporary spaces, offering quiet comfort and everyday practicality with cutting edge technology, Good bathroom design is about more than how things look. Good design is about how you live.

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