Traditional Toilets for an Old House: 4 Picks & Why I Chose TOTO

Choosing the “right” toilet for your Old House

Toilet purchases are the tire-buying of home design.

I said what I said.

Let’s face it, toilets aren’t a topic most people want to think about for any amount of time.
And that is exactly why I spent so much time choosing a new one for our bath renovation.

For the master bathroom water closet, I wanted something that felt traditional but elevated. Not modern, not trendy, and definitely not builder grade.

The existing one was…fine. But unfortunately it got damaged on reinstallation near the tail end of an over-budget and too-many-surprises bathroom remodel. That forced the decision: Repair the “fine” toilet for hundreds of dollars, or bite the budget bullet and buy a new one.

Aaaaand here we are. Because once a toilet is installed, I don’t want to think about it again for a long, long time.

I looked all over the place for a toilet that would look wonderful and work perfectly.

Eventually, the list narrowed to four contenders. The TOTO Promenade II was my eventual choice, but each of these made the shortlist for a different reason.

In this post, I’m breaking down what I learned about each as I did my due diligence. If you’re here, you’re probably trying to find your next toilet. I hope this helps you find your “just right” Old House toilet!

Related: How to renovate your bathroom without eroding its soul

Traditional toilets: my Old House approved shortlist

Start with the look and tradeoff that fit your room, then check the exact model’s dimensions and installation requirements before ordering.

Some links may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase, at no additional cost to you. I only share products I like, would use in my own home, or have researched and feel confident recommending.

Price key: $ = under $500 · $$ = $500–$1,000 · $$$ = over $1,000 per toilet. These tiers reflect the options I found while shopping; current prices and included parts vary.

Kohler Memoirs Stately Comfort Height Two-Piece Toilet

My first choice on looks alone. The crisp tank lid and shaped base have the architectural character I wanted in our primary bathroom. If your room has substantial trim or a traditional vanity, this is the one I would look at first.

Price: $$
Construction: Two-piece and one-piece options
Height: Comfort Height
Flush: 1.28 GPF – 1.6 GPF
Rough-in: 12 inches
Design: Architectural tank and base
Seat: Varies by model

Check Price on Amazon →

This was the good-looking toilet that initially caught my eye. The Memoirs collection has beautiful architectural lines that work really well in traditional homes. It feels timeless but isn’t overly decorative. It’s worth mentioning there are a ton of colors in this line, some of them just right for classic bathrooms.

I looked at several different Memoirs line toilets, including the Complete Solution Chair Height model available at major retailers. In the customer reviews I read while shopping, I saw some reports about finish inconsistencies, flush performance, and delivery damage. For something I don’t want to think about again after installing, those reviews gave me pause.

Even though this was my very top favorite visually, at that point in my reno I ultimately needed a no-drama water closet over style.

The decision: I passed on this beauty.

Before you buy: Choose it for its detail; check reviews against the exact model number, rather than treating every Memoirs listing as the same toilet.

Kohler Tresham One-Piece Compact Elongated Toilet

The one I loved until I looked at my project budget overages. Tresham combines traditional lines with a skirted base, which gives the exterior a more enclosed, finished appearance. I liked the idea of fewer contours to clean around, and the one-piece body was another draw.

Price: $$$
Construction: One-piece; skirted base
Bowl: Compact elongated
Height: Chair height
Flush: 1.28 GPF
Rough-in: 12 inches
Seat: Quiet-Close in the K-3981 specification

Check Price on Amazon →

I really loved this one. It ticked every toilet box I didn’t know I had. It looks elevated, and the reviews were encouraging. The primary drawback? Just one: price.

At the time I was shopping, this model cost more than double the Memoirs toilet I was considering and was the most expensive toilet on my list overall. Yes, it’s as beautiful as a traditional toilet can be, but I couldn’t justify the cost at the very end of a “many things went unexpectedly over budget” renovation.

My decision: a reluctant “No,” due to price relative to other shortlist alternatives. But this one is definitely worth checking into as prices change all the time!

Before you buy: Shop across models for the just-right model for your house.

TOTO Drake Two-Piece Elongated Toilet

The simpler option I’d definitely consider for another bathroom. The Drake feels less “dressed up” than the Memoirs or Promenade II. That can be exactly right when the wallpaper, tile, or vanity is doing the decorative work. I liked its restrained shape and the prices I found while shopping.

Price: $ – $$
Construction: Two-piece
Bowl: Elongated
Height: Chair height
Flush: 1.28 & 1.6 GPF options
Rough-in: 10 and 12 inches
Design: Clean, simple profile
Model details: Confirm height, flush volume, rough-in, and seat package

Check Price on Amazon →

I found options under $400 when I was shopping, which made the Drake a strong contender on price. Design-wise, it’s in the not-too-traditional, not-too-modern column. It’s clean, simple, and practical. With TOTO’s CeFiONtect smooth glaze, it’s designed for easy cleaning, too.

So why didn’t I go with the Drake? Ultimately, it’s an aesthetic thing. I wanted something slightly more architectural to connect with the rest of the master bathroom design. That said, I will absolutely consider using the Drake in other bathrooms.

My decision: a strong contender I may use in the future.

Before you buy: Drake is a product family. Compare like-for-like model numbers before deciding that one retailer has a better deal.

TOTO Promenade II One-Piece Elongated Toilet

The toilet I bought for Rosemont. This toilet had everything I was looking for: enough traditional detail to belong in the room, a one-piece body, and a price I could live with. I paid $712 for a one piece, non-skirted model.

Price: $$; I paid $712
Construction: One-piece
Bowl: Elongated
Height: Universal Height
Flush: 1.28 GPF; Tornado Flush
Rough-in: 12 inches
Seat: SoftClose in the one-piece models, two-piece models require seat purchase

Check Price on Amazon →

The Promenade II gave me the classic detail I liked in the Memoirs collection, with the features that got me to “YES”: CeFiONtect ceramic glaze, a one-piece design, Tornado Flush, and an included SoftClose seat.

Two “be on the lookout” themes I noticed in customer reviews were comments about a louder flush and that the included seat felt less substantial than the toilet itself. While I don’t think it flushes any louder than a “typical” toilet, I do agree the seat feels less than luxurious. This toilet is chosen for a private water closet, and a heated, automated TOTO Washlet seat is something I may consider buying later.

The decision: I bought it! Overall, this one was my best combination of aesthetics, performance reputation, and price.

Before you buy: I chose this for our private water closet. Before ordering, check the exact suffix and color: specifications and finishes vary between models.

Why the TOTO Promenade II won in my bathroom

I wanted the toilet to belong in the bathroom without becoming a thing I spent any time thinking about after install. The Memoirs had my favorite lines. The Tresham had the enclosed base I liked. The Drake was a sensible-looking option for a simpler room. The Promenade II brought enough of what mattered together at a price I was willing to pay.

That’s the useful part of having a shortlist: you can love a detail without buying it at any cost. Start with the look you want, confirm that it fits, and spend on the features that will matter after the renovation dust is gone.

Related: Bathroom accessories that won’t ruin the old-house look

What to know before ordering your Old House toilet

Know the Important Toilet Math & Design Details

• Rough-in: Have your installer confirm the distance from the finished wall to the drain center. Do not assume an older bathroom matches the model you like.
• Room fit: Check total projection, door swing, and required clearances, not just round versus elongated. Use the exact manufacturer drawing.
• Seat height: Comfort Height, chair height, and Universal Height are labels to investigate, not a guarantee that the seat will feel right to every person. Compare the finished seat height.
• One-piece versus two-piece: A one-piece body removes the tank-to-bowl seam. A skirted base changes the exterior cleaning surfaces. They are different features; decide which matters to you.
• The complete price: Confirm whether the seat, installation parts, delivery, and any necessary adapters are included. Compare the same color, rough-in, and model suffix.
• Delivery and installation: Ask about damage reporting, return terms, and the installer’s requirements before the old toilet comes out.

Also, retailer pricing can change substantially, quickly. Use the links I’ve shared above to compare current offers, and consider the complete package before ordering. My $712 purchase price is a reference point from our renovation, not a promise of today’s price.

Know What Matters Most To You In a Toilet

Before comparing models, I thought through my decision criteria. Yours may be different, so thinking about these before you shop is really important. Here’s where I landed:

• first and foremost, strong reliability reviews
• easy to keep clean
• traditional styling that works with older home aesthetic, and doesn’t scream “builder grade”
• readily available (no special order delays)
• reasonable price for “no drama” quality

Once I knew what mattered most to me, getting rid of options was simple.
And since both TOTO and Kohler had my plumber’s approval, I felt comfortable starting with either brand. From there, it came down to the specific model and the price.

I’m happy with where I landed, and hope you find your perfect-for-your-old-house-option, too!