You know you’ve made an impact when people quote you in major publications or you’re interviewed on national TV. But what if one of your top Google results is “young house love toilet”? If that phrase led you here and previous searches didn’t turn up helpful details, this article will answer the most common toilet-related questions and explain why this particular model has been our favorite for years.
Our go-to choice is the Kohler Memoirs Elongated Toilet (also sold as the Memoirs Stately Elongated). We first installed it seven years ago in a powder room, and it quickly became our everyday favorite. It’s comfortable, attractive, and reliable — everything you want from a toilet.
Why Is It Our Favorite Toilet?
What first drew us to this model was the slightly elevated, traditional design — the crown molding–like detail at the top of the tank and the complementary shaping at the base. In our Richmond, Virginia home it matched the classic trim and overall traditional aesthetic perfectly, so we used it in both the downstairs bathroom and the ensuite upstairs.
We’ve since installed the same model in a more modern, beachy home in Florida and it fits in there just as well. Many modern toilets favor very simple, streamlined shapes that can sometimes look generic; the Memoirs model reads as an intentional design choice rather than an afterthought. It’s offered in several finishes, including black, gray, and greige, but we prefer classic white for its timeless look.
Beyond aesthetics, the functionality is where this toilet really stands out. We’ve used three of these toilets daily over seven years and none have required a repair or a plumber visit. Not a single clog or emergency — a rare track record compared with other toilets we’ve owned. That reliability alone makes it worth considering.
If you care about matching your bathroom fixtures — faucets, shower hardware, towel bars — to a cohesive aesthetic, the Memoirs toilet reads as a more deliberate choice. Its elongated bowl and comfort-height design also make it more comfortable than many lower-cost options.
How Much Does It Cost?
It’s not the cheapest option. Prices can vary but the Memoirs Elongated 2-piece typically lists around the mid-hundreds. Because of that, we skipped it for budget-focused renovations like our duplex Airbnb, but chose it for the bathrooms we use every day. The comfort height and elongated shape justify the extra cost for daily-use spaces.
One practical note: the Memoirs model is often ordered online rather than picked up directly in-store, so allow for delivery or in-store pickup when planning your project. Also double-check whether the listing includes a toilet seat — many do not. We recommend choosing an elongated, soft-close seat to match the bowl shape and avoid a mismatched appearance.
Want A More Basic Budget-Friendly Toilet?
For budget-minded projects, we’ve relied on an affordable Delta model multiple times across different properties with excellent results. It’s reliable, well-reviewed, and a smart choice when you need a dependable toilet without the higher price tag of designer-style models.
Ok, Back To Our Favorite Toilet – How About Some Before & Afters?
If you want to see this toilet in completed bathroom makeovers, we’ve used it in several reno projects. Examples include full bathroom transformations where the Memoirs model was part of a cohesive design, and larger gut-renovations that show the toilet alongside other major upgrades. These before-and-after photos help illustrate how a thoughtful toilet choice can elevate a space.
We’ve also documented a major master-bath renovation that includes a budget breakdown and shows how the toilet fit into the overall project. That renovation involved knocking down walls, relocating fixtures, and rethinking the layout — the toilet was a small but important piece of the finished room.
We even redesigned a walk-in closet during that same renovation using affordable cabinetry systems. While the toilet isn’t part of the closet, it does appear in reflections and photos from the project — a reminder that every detail in a home contributes to the overall look.
All of which is to say: it’s worth spending a minute thinking about which toilet you buy, especially for rooms you use every day.
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 the process straightforward with the right guidance. Useful topics to research before you start include how to install a new toilet, how to remove an old toilet, how to stabilize a rocking toilet, and how to install a dual-flush converter kit if you want to improve water efficiency.
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