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Let’s be honest — most people don’t think twice about their toilet seat until it breaks. Then suddenly, you’re staring at your loo, tape measure in hand, wondering “how on earth do I find the right one?”
We get messages like this every single day.
At Bathroom Spare Parts, we’ve helped thousands of customers replace toilet seats — from hotel maintenance teams and housing associations to everyday homeowners fixing a wobbly seat. This post will walk you through how to identify the right replacement toilet seat, what to look for, and how to avoid wasting money on one that doesn’t fit.
🧭 Why It’s Worth Getting the Right Seat
You might be tempted to grab the first seat that “looks about right” in a DIY store. But here’s the problem:
If the seat’s too small or the wrong shape, it’ll feel uncomfortable
If the fixings don’t match, it’ll wobble or come loose
If the colour is off (especially on designer models), it’ll look mismatched
A proper-fitting seat isn’t just about looks — it’s about comfort, hygiene, and making your bathroom feel right again.
📏 Step 1: Grab a Tape Measure (and Maybe a Cup of Tea)
Measuring your existing toilet seat is the first (and easiest) step. Here’s what you’ll need:
Three Key Measurements:
Width – across the widest part of the seat
Length – from the very front of the seat to the middle of the two hinge holes
Fixing Hole Distance – between the two holes where the seat bolts in (usually around 155mm in the UK)
👀 Tip: If the seat is missing, you can measure the toilet bowl instead. It's not quite as accurate, but it’s still useful.
We've had customers send us sketches on scrap paper, builder’s plans, even measurements scribbled on napkins. It all helps.
🔍 Step 2: Figure Out the Shape
Toilet shapes vary a lot more than people think.
We’ve seen everything from ultra-modern square designs to old-school rounded bowls that haven’t been made in decades. Most fall into these buckets:
Oval – Classic and rounded
D-Shape – Popular in newer, wall-mounted toilets
Square or Angular – Common in boutique or European bathrooms
Elongated – Often seen in commercial or high-spec installations
Even seats that look similar can vary by just a few millimetres — enough to cause headaches later. Always double-check.
🧾 Step 3: What Brand Is It?
This part can be tricky — especially if you’ve just moved in or it’s been 10+ years since the toilet was fitted.
Where to check:
Under the cistern lid – sometimes the model number is printed inside
Stamped on the pan – often behind the seat or on the underside
Receipts or manuals – worth digging out if you’re a DIY-er
Ask your builder or landlord – they may have installed the same model elsewhere
We often tell people: If you’re unsure, take a photo and let us do the digging. We know the shapes of hundreds of seats just by eye.
🛠️ Step 4: Genuine or Compatible?
This is one of the most common questions we get — and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
💎 Genuine Seat
Made by the original toilet manufacturer
Perfect fit, exact colour match
Can be more expensive — especially for European brands
💡 Compatible Seat
Made by trusted third-party manufacturers
Designed to match specific models
Usually more affordable
May vary slightly in shape or colour tone
We always offer both where possible and will be honest about the difference. If we wouldn't fit it in our own homes, we won’t recommend it.
📸 Step 5: Use Our Free Seat Matching Service
This is where we make your life easier.
Just email us a photo of your toilet, ideally taken from directly above, and include:
Length, width, and hinge spacing
A clear view of the pan (seat on or off is fine)
Brand/model info if you have it
📧 sales@bathroomspareparts.co.uk
We’ll reply with options — genuine, compatible, budget, premium. Whatever suits your needs.
Fun fact: We’ve identified some toilet models from photos taken in pitch-dark hotel bathrooms using nothing but flash. We love a challenge.
♻️ Fixing Is Greener Than Replacing
This is a big one for us. So many people are told to replace the entire toilet just because the seat broke. It’s madness.
In most cases:
A new hinge kit fixes the wobble
A compatible seat fits perfectly
You avoid sending 20kg of ceramic to landfill
Our customers save money and reduce waste. It’s a win-win.
🛒 We’re Not Just a Shop – We’re Your Bathroom Spare Experts
We’ve been doing this for over 20 years. And while it might not be glamorous work, we genuinely love helping people fix problems that big retailers just shrug at.
With us, you get:
Real humans replying to your queries
Accurate listings with full dimensions
Photos that actually show the seat you’re buying
Fast delivery and top-rated service
Specialist support for trade customers too
We’re here to help — whether you’re replacing a single seat at home or 300 in a hotel.
👉 Explore Replacement Toilet Seats Now
🙋♂️ FAQ: Things Customers Always Ask Us
“What if my toilet’s discontinued?”
We’ll find a compatible shape or even supply you with a custom-made option. If we can’t, we’ll tell you honestly — not sell you something that won’t fit.
“What if the colour doesn’t match?”
If colour’s crucial (e.g. almond, pergamon, matt black), we can help match tones. Or recommend a close option.
“Is it easy to fit a new seat?”
Yes. Most come with easy-fit kits and need nothing more than a screwdriver. Some older ones might need adjustable spanners — but we’ll let you know in advance.
“Do you sell just the fixings?”
Absolutely. We stock hinges, buffers, brackets — even rubber washers. If one part’s broken, we don’t believe in binning the whole lot.
🧠 Final Word
Replacing a toilet seat shouldn’t be a guessing game. When you know the shape, the measurements, and the brand — you’re halfway there. And if you’re not sure? We’re one photo away from solving it for you.
It’s not just about parts — it’s about making maintenance simple, affordable, and sustainable.
Need help? Just shout. We’re only ever one message away.