Indoor plumbing is arguably the greatest invention in the history of humankind. And the porcelain and chrome toilets that grace most bathrooms in the industrialized world work fine. To complete the needs in modern era, small toilet design is always developed with many high-tech features. While most people think, “If it ain’t broke, why fix it?” some gadget-happy companies — especially in Japan — say, “Why not?”

Small Toilet Design
Small Toilet Design

Fancy electric high-tech and small toilets, which the Japanese call super toilets, can be found in more than 72 percent of Japanese households. At minimum they include a bidet feature and often a seat warmer. High-tech features vary, but most of the toilets use electricity to provide warming, automation and bidet functions.

Small Toilet Design
Small Toilet Design

The Kohler Numi’s squarish, angled shape, subtle buttons and strange automatic lid make it look like it’s anything but a toilet. It has a motion-activated lid that automatically opens when anyone stands in front of it and what Kohler calls “advanced bidet functionality,” which is an integrated air dryer.

Small Toilet Design
Small Toilet Design

The appliance, however, goes beyond the normal functions of a toilet and adds atmosphere. It has a heated seat and even a subtle air vent that warms the floor in front of the fixture. It even has an atmosphere light and a music player. A touch-panel remote, which attaches to the toilet with a magnetic docking station, lets you customize all the settings.

Small Toilet Design
Small Toilet Design

Small Toilet Design
Small Toilet Design

The leading super toilet maker in Japan is a company called Toto. And if you’ve ever visited a nice hotel in Japan with a Toto toilet, you know you’re not in Kansas anymore.
 
Top