Are Bidets Worth It? What They Do, How They Work, and Why More Americans Are Asking
Everything you want to know but are afraid to ask
More homeowners are asking about bidets than ever before. Bidets aren’t something most Americans grew up with — but they’re quickly becoming part of the conversation.
At Drury Design, our team designs and builds bathrooms across Chicagoland and the Midwest — and in the past few years, bidets have gone from occasional curiosity to regular conversation. Clients are asking about them earlier in the design process, and more often.
That shift matches what the industry is seeing. A recent National Kitchen and Bath Association survey found that 76% of designers report homeowners are looking for more feature-rich toilets, and nearly half expect bidet seats to grow in popularity in the next few years.
Even culturally, the tide is turning. When new New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani moved into Gracie Mansion, one of his first “aspirational” upgrades? Installing bidets. That’s not just a plumbing decision – it’s a signal.
So what’s going on here?
The American outlier (and why that’s changing)
For decades, the United States has been something of a global outlier.
Across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, water-based cleaning has been the norm – whether that’s a dedicated porcelain bidet, a handheld sprayer, or even something as simple as a water vessel kept nearby. In many cultures, cleanliness isn’t optional — it’s foundational.
Historically, Americans have leaned on convenience. Toilet paper was cheap, available, and baked into our bathroom options early. That shaped habits — and habits are hard to break.
But technology, travel, and plain old word-of-mouth are catching up.
And once people try one… they tend to get it.
Kohler Veil
A delicate truth (that explains everything)
There’s an analogy that tends to land.
Imagine getting toothpaste on your wrist. You wipe it off with a dry paper towel. Looks clean… but it still smells like toothpaste.
That’s essentially the difference.
Water finishes the job.
No need to belabor the point — but it explains why much of the world never abandoned water-based cleaning in the first place.
What kinds of bidets are there?
When people hear “bidet,” they often picture a separate fixture next to the toilet. That’s one version – but it’s just the beginning.
1. Stand-alone bidets (European style)
- Separate basin next to the toilet
- Requires additional plumbing rough-ins and space
- Less common in U.S. remodels due to layout constraints
2. Handheld sprayers (“wand” style)
- Simple, inexpensive add-on
- Common globally
- Functional and problematic at the same time
- Not aligned with a high-end bathroom design
Toto Washlet S5
3. Bidet seats / washlets
- The plumbing and features are built into the seat to be installed on an existing toilet
- Most popular entry point in the U.S.
- Requires water + electrical access
4. Integrated bidet toilets
- All-in-one unit with full feature set
- Cleanest look and most advanced performance
- Ideal for new builds or full remodels
As Drury Design Owner/Creative Director Gladys Schanstra notes, the rise of the washlet-style seat is key in the U.S. “Our bathrooms were built for one toilet. The question becomes — how do you add functionality without redesigning the entire room?”
Kohler Numi
Let’s address the questions everyone is thinking…
“Isn’t that… kind of gross?”
Modern systems are built to be hygienic.
- The spray wand stays tucked away when not in use
- Many systems self-clean before and after each cycle
- Some use ionized or electrolyzed water to sanitize the nozzle
You’re not dealing with a static, exposed component — it’s engineered for cleanliness.
“Cold water? No thanks.”
Not anymore.
Most modern bidets offer:
- Adjustable water temperature
- Heated seats
- User presets (so your settings are remembered)
Comfort is the point — not a shock to the system.
Kohler Innate
“How does it even aim correctly?”
Simple controls:
- Front and rear wash modes
- Adjustable nozzle position
- Oscillating or pulsing spray options
It’s surprisingly precise — and customizable.
“Can a gentle stream really do anything?”
Pressure is adjustable — and on higher settings, it’s not subtle.
You can dial it from soft to… let’s call it thorough.
The features people don’t expect (but love)
Even mid-range units come with features that change the experience:
- Auto-open lids when you approach
- Night lights for late-night visits
- Pre-mist bowl spray (helps keep the bowl cleaner)
- Warm air dryers
- Deodorizing systems
- White noise for privacy
And yes – that last one matters.
As Gladys puts it, hospitality isn’t just about entertaining. It’s about making people feel comfortable: “The idea of hospitality is making people feel at ease — even in moments people don’t talk about.”
The real point: comfort
It’s easy to frame bidets as luxury — and yes, there’s a luxury angle.
But that’s not the core of it.
This is about comfort.
- Feeling clean
- Creating a bathroom that works better
- Reducing awkward moments for guests
Or as Gladys puts it: “It’s about enhancing how we live — and making people feel cared for in your space.”
Toto Neorest LS
So… are bidets worth it?
If you’ve never used one, the hesitation is understandable. But you should know that more homeowners are asking for them, more designers are recommending them and more bathrooms are being built with them.
And once people experience it?
They rarely go back.
Thinking about incorporating one into your bathroom?
That’s a conversation worth having early — not as an add-on at the end.
Our team can walk you through the options, the design considerations, and the best way to bring it into your space in a way that feels natural — and elevated.
Because at the end of the day, great design isn’t just what you see.
It’s how you feel living with it.