First, I apologize for another post about toilets, but I’m genuinely excited to share photos of our new crisp white toilet. The almond-colored original wasn’t our style. A white toilet brightens the room, feels truer to the mid-century character of our house, complements the freshly white-ified trim and shower curtain, and simply looks cleaner. Even when the almond fixture was spotless, it never felt as fresh as a white model. That small change made us oddly optimistic—so much so that we found ourselves joking about how “tomorrow is going to be awesome” the night before toilet shopping.

The almond toilet that came with the house looked a little space-age and, surprisingly, was a fairly high-end fixture. It’s funny how color can impact perception: a white toilet of the same model was actually less expensive. Since moving in 15 months ago, we had been daydreaming about a traditional white toilet. Functionally, most toilets perform similarly, and our budgets don’t require choosing the most expensive option.

Before buying a replacement we confirmed the measurements, particularly the rough-in (the distance from the wall to the bolt holes) and the clearance to the door. Our rough-in measured about 11.5″ but the existing toilet was listed as 12″, so we felt a 12″ model would work. Because the room is small, we avoided an elongated bowl which would have interfered with door clearance. We examined the idea of changing the door swing, but that would block part of the sink nook and disrupt the room’s flow and visual balance, so we kept the existing configuration.

We skipped step-by-step installation photos since we’ve covered toilet removal and installation before. The old one came out as a single piece, which made it heavy to carry. Underneath was the usual residue and rust line, but it wiped up easily and the space was ready for the new fixture.

We chose a practical, budget-conscious model that fit our measurements, had a strong flush performance, and was water-efficient. It also came with the parts needed for installation, although we bought an extra-thick wax ring since our flange sits slightly recessed in the tile. That was a small, inexpensive add-on to ensure a proper seal.

A useful tip from readers was to slide drinking straws over the toilet bolts to help guide the bowl into place. The straws made alignment much easier and sped up the installation. There was some leftover wax around the flange from the previous wax ring, but that was simple to scrape away.

Once installed, the new white toilet immediately changed the bathroom’s visual balance. It draws attention away from the beige tile and reinforces the white accents around the room—the curtain, trim, door, light switch and outlet covers, and the artwork tones. It also ties into the other white toilets in our home, creating a cohesive look. The new seat is slightly taller, which I found more comfortable as a taller person, and even Sherry appreciated the improved height and feel.

Although this Glacier Bay model is not as expensive as the prior Kohler fixture, it functions well and suits our needs. It’s also compatible with a dual-flush conversion kit, which we plan to add to further reduce water use. We let it run for a few days as manufactured to make sure everything under the tank is sound before modifying the flush system.

The room itself is progressing slowly but steadily. We’ve already updated paint, swapped the light fixture, and painted the trim white. Small changes like the toilet make the space feel more like us. There’s still more to do, but each update improves both form and function.

Here’s our updated to-do list for the bathroom:

• paint the walls so they have some contrast
• replace the boob light
• paint the cream trim white
• hang some bathroom-friendly art
• craigslist the toilet and replace it with a classic white one
• add privacy to the window
• remove the door temporarily to shave the bottom for a rug/bathmat and add a door stopper
• replace the border tile around the room (maybe in phase two)
• center the pendant light in front of the window
• replace the floor tile in the long term to break up the expanse

We’re also selling the old almond toilet locally. It’s a gently used, higher-end model, so we thought someone might want it. We’ve already had a modest offer and hope it finds a new home soon.

Has anyone else tackled small but impactful swaps like this—replacing beige or almond fixtures with white or stainless alternatives? Small updates can yield a surprisingly fresh result. We’re thrilled with how much brighter and more cohesive the bathroom feels after this simple change.

To follow the broader bathroom refresh project from the start, see our planning notes and previous updates on paint, lighting, and art choices.