You probably don’t think too much about how much toilets cost, but anyone who’s built a bathroom knows just how pricey they can be.
Interestingly, some brands really push the “luxury” aspects of a toilet. These designs are often most recognizable for their unique look. There are a lot of toilet designs out there, but most look pretty similar — not with luxury brands though. From carefully measured edges to ornate carvings and even crystals, some toilets look expensive.
But how did we get here? Indoor plumbing didn’t exist for millions of years, then one day we have thousand-dollar toilets. The journey starts around the 16th century when Sir John Harrington invented the first flushing toilet. Previously, restrooms were essentially just holes in the ground — so John’s invention was a big improvement. By the 1800s, government regulations required restrooms in every house, establishing modern toilets as the norm among large portions of the population.
Toilets got revamped designs and new features over the years. Many of these changes were practical, but some were more about the aesthetic. That’s where the world’s most expensive toilets come in. These pricey commodes have crazy features and even crazier price tags — just wait for the crystal-studded design.
- The Black and Gold Millionaire’s Toilet
- Ilbagnoalessi One Piece Toilet
- The Toto Neorest NX1
- Kohler Numi Toilet
- Herbeau 5501 Dagobert Solid Ash Toilet
- The Swarovski Crystal Toilet
- The Toilet Shrine to Lenin
- The Astronaut’s Toilet
Brand or Creator: GoldenPalaceStudio
Unique Feature: Gold plating
Reason for Price: Expensive materials
photo source: etsy.com
Are you a millionaire with a fancy bathroom that just needs a gold-plated toilet? You’re in luck! This black and gold millionaire’s toilet is the perfect addition to any luxury bathroom. The product is pretty expensive, but you have to be willing to pay for something so stunning!
If you’re wondering why this toilet costs $2,000, it really comes down to expensive materials and labor. The pricey design uses real gold and it’s handmade — imagine how long it took to create.
Beyond the gold, this toilet is designed to reduce grime. The creator says it features a sleek, “one-piece” design that eliminates nooks and crannies where bacteria can build up. So this is a great gift for your rich friend who’s really scared of germs.
Did you know?
This toilet features a slow-close seat so you won’t get that loud smack of ceramic.
Brand or Creator: Laufen
Unique Feature: Slopped design
Reason for Price: Expensive materials and brand name
photo source: perigold.com
This one’s not as flashy as the millionaire’s toilet, but it’s still eye-catching. The minimal design takes the classic toilet look and adds sloping curves that pair well with modern bathrooms. The whole thing is made of ceramic, like most toilets, and it flushes with a top-mounted button. Designer Stefan Giovannoni decided to make the bowl elongated, which is reportedly more comfortable to sit on.
When it comes to that price, it mostly comes down to materials and brand recognition. Laufen, the company behind this toilet, is known for making high-end sanitary equipment. People say the brand “reflects a symbiosis of design, quality, and functionality.”
If you decide to buy this toilet, complete your bathroom’s modern look with the Ilbagnoalessi Ceramic Wall Mount Sink. The design goes for more than $2,700 and features a unique asymmetrical look.
Did you know?
Laufen is a Swiss brand. The company is known for its “visionary” ceramic products. Since 1892, the company has been innovating in the field of sanitary equipment — establishing itself as a historic and expensive brand.
Brand or Creator: Toto
Unique Feature: Heated seat
Reason for Price: High-end design
photo source: build.com
This one may not look like much, but the design by Toto is packed with some surprisingly useful features. First of all, the seat has a heating mechanism for maximum comfort. You’ll also enjoy a soft-close lid and a built-in automatic deodorizer. Plus, say goodbye to manually cleaning your toilet — this one cleans itself. That’s right, with several unique systems dedicated to reducing grime, Toto’s toilet stays clean longer without the need for chemicals like bleach. The whole setup is really more about function than flashy visuals.
If all those features sound nice, you might want to take a quick peek at the price tag. The design comes with a steep cost of well over $8,000 — making it the sixth-most expensive toilet in the world.
Did you know?
This toilet comes with a remote to control those high-end functions (and batteries are included).
Brand or Creator: Kohler
Unique Feature: Bluetooth compatibility
Reason for Price: High-tech features
photo source: homeplumbing.com
Kohler’s Numi toilet is all about the tech. The ultra-expensive design offers Bluetooth compatibility in case you need some music in the restroom while built-in ambient lighting sets the mood. Don’t have Bluetooth? Don’t worry, just use the aux input.
While your hands are busy choosing the music, you’ll easily open the seat thanks to motion activation. Just go near the toilet and it opens up. The hands-free design goes a step further with built-in automatic cleaning and deodorizing systems — the total package.
Beyond the tech, the Numi toilet has a distinctive design that’s sleek and clean. The sharp edges look super modern, and that ambient lighting really drives home the high-tech aesthetic.
All said, this toilet costs $9,750.
Did you know?
This toilet has a heated seat. Worried about your electricity bill? The system automatically adjusts heating to maximize cost efficiency without compromising comfort.
Brand or Creator: Herbeau
Unique Feature: Built-in musical chime
Reason for Price: Unique design and materials
photo source: homethangs.com
Things get really crazy with this $14,000 toilet from Herbeau. The wildly expensive creation is based on King Dagobert, a French ruler from the 8th century’s Merovingian dynasty.
Designed to “delight even the most jaded Royal,” this toilet offers a whole host of unique features. Most notably, users are met with a musical chime when they open the seat.
When they’re done, the Royal uses a pull chain to flush, which in turn activates a ringing bell… for some reason. The toilet is accompanied by an ashtray and a candle holder, perfect for those late-night bathroom visits/cigarette breaks in your Victorian castle. The entire setup is mostly made from ash wood, but it’s decorated with hand-painted “Moustier Polychrome designs” for an added touch of opulence.
Would you pay $14,000 for this thing?
Did you know?
This large toilet stands 63 ¾ inches tall.
Brand or Creator: Lixil Corp.
Unique Feature: 72,000 pieces of authentic crystal
Reason for Price: Ultra-expensive materials
photo source: abcnews.go.com
If you love crystals, this toilet is for you. The crazy-expensive design was commissioned by Lixil Corp., a Tokyo-based company. Lixil Corp. says they made the toilet to promote the Japanese capital’s high-end shopping district.
When it comes to that price tag, the value is pretty obvious. The toilet is absolutely covered in pricey Swarovski crystals — about 72,000 of them.
Interestingly, the toilet isn’t actually for sale since it’s designed to attract tourists and wealthy shoppers. Instead, the sparkling commode was set to remain on display in Lixil Corp.’s showroom until December 28, 2011. It’s unclear where the toilet is today, but the company’s showroom manager said they hoped the display would “make the coming year one that shines brilliantly.”
Did you know?
This toilet took Swarovski about one month to design and adorn with crystal.
Brand or Creator: Commissioned by Winger Lam
Unique Feature: Solid gold design
Reason for Price: Extremely expensive materials
photo source: scmp.com
Coming in at number two is this wildly expensive solid gold toilet. The crazy design was commissioned by wealthy gold shop owner Winger Lam of China as a shrine to Russian revolutionary and socialist Vladimir Lenin. Lam says the idea came from a passage Lenin wrote stating bathrooms should be made from gold.
Beyond the gold toilet, Lam’s bathroom features a gold trash can, gold details along almost every surface, and a gold sink.
One reporter documenting Lam’s bathroom referenced The Beatles, saying “money can’t buy you taste.”
Did you know?
The ceiling of Lam’s gold-filled bathroom features 6,000 expensive gems.
Brand or Creator: The International Space Station (NASA)
Unique Feature: Built for outer space
Reason for Price: Expensive materials and labor
photo source: newscientist.com
The Astronaut’s Toilet is the most expensive toilet ever made.
This toilet is out of this world — literally. The insanely expensive creation was designed for the International Space Station, with much of the project helmed by NASA.
Since outer space is such a strange environment, astronauts need unique tools to maintain life. Things like oxygen systems are obvious, but bathrooms ready for space travel are just as important.
Details about the actual design of this toilet are limited, but announcements from space agencies said the setup is worth about $23 million.
Did you know?
This toilet helps recycle human waste for further use aboard the Space Station. Similar tech may be used to recycle water for long-haul trips to the planet Mars.
