When you think about the latest trends, toilets are probably the last thing that comes to mind. Even if the toilets in your home are basic builder-grade versions without a single bell or whistle, there’s no doubt we’re lucky to live in the age of the porcelain throne. Flushing toilets and indoor plumbing have been commonplace for about half a century, and since that time, toilet trends have gone from sterile, white porcelain to pretty pastels and high-tech, no clog toilets. Today, you’ll be faced with a variety of choices when you’re in the market for a new latrine. Round or elongated? Skirted or exposed trapway? Standard seat or padded? According to Brandy Rinehart, interior designer at Habitar Design, you should also consider another toilet design choice that’s coming back into style: the high-tank.

“Once the peak of early 20th-century plumbing innovation, high-tank toilets were phased out in favor of more compact, less theatrical options,” Rinehart told House Digest during an exclusive interview. “But now, like a beloved vintage record player or velvet blazer, they’re finding their way back into the hearts — and bathrooms — of bold homeowners and designers alike.” The interior designer explained that these toilets stand out because the tanks are mounted high on the wall and are typically flushed using a long chain instead of a simple handle. “This design icon is the bathroom’s version of a chandelier: slightly excessive, undeniably fabulous,” she added. Rineheart went on to say that while you aren’t likely to find high-tank toilets in spec homes, the throwback style that can help you achieve the old money aesthetic is becoming more popular with design lovers.

“Will high-tank toilets overtake sleek wall-hung models or smart bidet thrones any time soon? Not likely,” Brandy Reinhart admitted during her exclusive interview with House Digest. But she thinks their popularity is here to stay as homeowners grow bored with minimalism and start to favor eclectic decor for interiors. “This isn’t a passing whim; it’s part of a broader design shift … A high-tank toilet doesn’t just flush — it announces itself,” she said. The interior designer explained that mounting a tank high above the toilet bowl creates a focal point that draws the eye up, “adding visual interest and a sense of height, especially in rooms with tall ceilings,” she noted. 

According to Reinhart, high-tank toilets do more than add a little cool factor to your commode. “Thanks to the laws of physics, these elevated beauties often deliver a strong, satisfying flush,” she said. This happens because of a stronger pressure thanks to greater gravity the higher your toilet tank is mounted. Although mechanical malfunctions or blockages are the most likely reasons why your toilet may keep clogging, the extra force may work well for your household while also adding a look to your bathroom that Rinehart described as “downright cinematic.” She said high-tank toilets work as well in restored Victorian homes as they do in industrial lofts because they “bring authenticity and a curated, collected feel,” she said. The interior designer recommended pairing a high-tank toilet with marble, brass, or bold bathroom tile to revamp your space.

It goes without saying that this look isn’t for everyone. There are some tradeoffs you should keep in mind before committing to a high-tank toilet installation. “Mounting a high tank takes serious wall support, precise measurements, and ideally, a plumber who enjoys a challenge,” Brandy Reinhart told House Digest during her exclusive interview. “You’re also committing to a very specific aesthetic — no turning back once the pipe is drilled in,” she said. The interior designer recommended that you keep ceiling height and layout in mind to avoid a cramped feeling, and warns that the wrong styling can quickly take the look from “timeless” to “tacky.” She added that high-tank toilets are also high-maintenance. “More height means more surface area to collect dust, and that lovely flush pipe? A magnet for cobwebs,” she cautioned. The tank may also be harder to reach when it’s time to clean the hardest spots in your bathroom. 

High-tank toilets aren’t the only toilet design trend Reinhart loves. The interior designer recommended wall-mounted toilets, calling them “floating, clean-lined, and wonderfully modern.” She’s also a fan of high-tech smart toilets and bidets. “Think Japanese spa meets Silicon Valley. If you’ve ever dreamed of a toilet that greets you with a glow and plays ambient sounds — you’re not alone,” Reinhart said. Finally, if high-tank toilets aren’t your style but you still want a lavatory look that stands out from the crowd, go with a bold color choice instead. The expert told us we should “expect to see toilets in inky black, dusty rose, forest green, and even gold-accented styles gracing gutsy bathrooms that aren’t afraid of a little pigment.”