How to Design Your Own Toilet Seats

Design a toilet seat that reflects your hobbies or interests.

Designing your own toilet seat lid can add a bit of whimsy to your bathroom. In designing your toilet seat, there are two components to consider: the actual hole portion in which you sit and the lid, or portion which covers the toilet bowl. If your design will be embellishment only, you can find numerous places that sell standard, plain toilet seats. If you want to make yours more elaborate, you may decide you want to have one built for you to make yours unique.

Things You'll Need

• Toilet seat with lid (purchased or built)
• Acrylic craft paints
• Acrylic varnish
• Paintbrushes (or other method to apply paint)
• Objects for 3-dimensional collage
• Craft glue

Instructions

1. Choose a basic style for the sitting portion of the seat. Typically, the hole portion is either of a round ring design or has a horse yoke shape, sometimes with a split in the center front. Decide which shape will best work with the seat lid you have in mind--and make sure it fits the toilet with which it will be used.

2. Consider the lid's shape. A seat lid does not have to be exactly the same as the seat's shape. It can be larger, overlapping the sides. Moreover, any generally oval or oval-like shape can work. For instance, design your toilet seat lid to resemble the body of a guitar, or create an animal shape, such as a turtle. Try a floral design, like a rose. Design a seat lid that suits your bathroom's decor or says something about your hobbies and likes.

3. Paint the lid with designs. Round designs, like a yin-yang, work well. Or if your seat lid has a particular shape, like a guitar, paint the lid to bring out details, such as adding guitar strings. Paint a turtle-shaped lid to look like a turtle; give a rose-shaped lid petals. Paint an oval lid using any suitable designs, such as art deco designs or patterns that resemble those found in modern art. You could also paint a landscape, a portrait, or a still life on the lid. Once the paint has dried, seal it with a varnish appropriate for your crafts paints.

4. If the thought appeals to you, create a slightly 3-dimensional seat lid. Make sure your toilet's design will still allow the toilet lid to be fully raised. Build up the lid with glued-on seashells, silk flowers, thick ribbons, bottle caps--just about anything that can be glued to a flat surface and is durable enough to be handled frequently. Use your imagination and let your creativity run wild.

Tips & Warnings

• Look through magazines to find images you can tear out, trim and decoupage onto your new toilet seat design. You may find inspiration there.

• Remember that you should find a toilet seat that fits your toilet before starting the project. They are not all the same size.

• If the toilet seat on your toilet is one you want to preserve and use later on in an unadorned state, find a different lid to use. You will not be able to remove the paint and embellishments you add to your craft project toilet seat.

References

• Unusual and Creative Toilet Seats

Resources

• All Crafts