Maybe you’re building a house, or you’re remodeling. With all the details concerned, you might overlook the humble toilet. Still, the toilet is a key piece of a comfortable, modern, well-functioning home. These simple tips will help you to choose the right toilet. It's important that you find the right toilet for YOUR home.

Here are the things to consider:

1). The bowl shape: The main choices here are an elongated bowl and a round front bowl. The round shape is appropriate if your bathroom space is limited. However, the elongated style gives you more comfort, since there is more open space in front.

2). The size of the toilet: You need to consider how long, wide and high the toilet is. To get a comfortable fit, make sure you measure the available space. Don't forget about the rough-in space - the distance of the bowl's center to the finished wall - as this too will determine the toilet's maximum size.

3). The toilet trapway's size: This is toilet part through which water and waste exit. The minimum standard size is designed to accommodate waste of up to a 1 ½ inch diameter. Larger trapways make it less likely that the toilet will get clogged.

4). The flushing system: US water conservation laws dictate that toilets must have a 1.6 gallon tank. Despite this, different flush technologies give you some choice. The siphon created by the weight of the water pushes through the waste and empties the bowl in gravity fed toilets. A pressure assisted toilet enlists the use of air that is compressed in the toilet tank as it is refilled with water. The extra pressure caused by compressed air helps the toilet to flush better. On the downside, besides the bigger expense, these toilets tend to be noisier and harder to repair.

5). One or two piece toilets: Most commonly, you will find the more inexpensive two piece toilets, with the bowl and tank being two separate connected pieces. A one piece toilet connects five to six parts into one seamless looking piece. This is a more elegant style that is cleaned more easily and requires less space but also has a higher price tag.

6). Ease of maintaining: Some toilets have features designed to make it easier to take care of 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. Kohler has an insulated liner for some of its toilet lines, preventing moisture build-up on the outside of the tank due to condensation.

7). How the toilet looks: The toilet should work efficiently, but should also be a positive addition to your bathroom's look. Luckily, there are many choices available for styles, 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). What else?: High end toilets may come with heated seats, warm air drying systems and built-in bidets, such as the Toto Washlets. Kohler makes the Comfort Height toilet with a higher seat for easier sitting and standing.

There, now you have 8 steps to finding the toilet that is right for you and your loved ones!