Only 2.5% of American toilets come with tush-washing capabilities. Compare that with 80% of Japanese homes, and it’s clear: when it comes to bathroom design, the US is late to the party.
For decades, toilet manufactures like Toto have struggled to break into the American market. But then came the great TP shortage of 2020. Suddenly, Americans began reconsidering their relationship with toilet paper—and alternatives like bidets took center stage.
The shift has been dramatic:
- Toto doubled US sales during the pandemic
- The company plans to triple the number of US showrooms by 2026 to showcase its luxury toilet tech.
- An industry report found that over 40% of Americans remodeling their homes now install toilets with bidets or bidet seats.
So what’s fueling this adoption? It’s not just necessity—it’s design evolution. Today’s bidets aren’t clunky add-ons; they’re sleek, integrated, and packed with features: heated seats, warm air dryers, night lights, music, even voice activation. In other words, they’ve gone from novelty to luxury design statement.
Will America fully embrace the bidet lifestyle? Maybe not overnight—but if bathrooms are the last frontier of home design innovation, consider this a refreshing start.
📸 Testing out my Toto Washlet bidet—one of three in our home. This one lives in the guest powder room. (Yes, guests, you’re welcome.)
📸 A luxury bidet spotted at the International Builders’ Show. Prices range from a few hundred dollars to nearly $20,000. Features can include infrared sterilization, lids that open automatically, and yes—even musical greetings.
📸 The bidet’s origins go back to early 1700s France. The name literally means “pony,” because you straddle it like riding a small horse. Fast forward to the 1980s, when Toto released the first modern electronic version—the Washlet.
📸 Proof that even our youngest family members couldn’t resist being early adopters 😉
For more fun and humor, check out South Park's hilarious social commentary on bidets:
https://www.southparkstudios.nu/episodes/9niic5/south-park-japanese-toilet-season-26-ep-3
_____________________________________
Adam Pretorius is a top-producing luxury real estate agent in Iowa City. Follow for more real estate news and design trends.
