By Ju-Wei Chen, Design Director at Txengo

At Txengo Studio, we’ve noticed a striking shift over the past few years: more and more of our clients are asking us to upgrade their WCs to washlets often before they’ve even moved into their new homes.

From luxury apartments in Holland Park to private residences in Chelsea and high-end hospitality projects in central London, one request keeps coming up:
"Can we change the standard toilet to a washlet?"

It’s a small detail, but one that speaks volumes about changing priorities in interior design.

From Luxury to Lifestyle

For a long time in the UK, washlets or smart toilets were seen as futuristic indulgences reserved for five-star hotels or concept show homes. But perceptions are shifting quickly.

Today, a washlet represents modern living. These beautifully engineered systems integrate discreetly into a bathroom, offering features like heated seats, warm-water cleansing, air drying, and self-cleaning functions. Once experienced, it’s hard to go back.

Once experienced, it’s hard to go back and our clients know it. In one of our LGBTQ retirement home renovation projects, the very first request was to upgrade all standard WCs to washlets, enhancing both comfort and accessibility. Similarly, in a detached house in West London, we specified TOTO RW washlets from the outset, reflecting an international lifestyle where this technology is already considered the norm.

Learning from Asia

In Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, washlets aren’t a luxury, they’re the standard. You’ll find them not only in homes but also in public spaces: train stations, department stores, restaurants, bars, and hotels.

These countries adopted washlet technology decades ago, making it an integral part of everyday life, clean, efficient, and sustainable. In contrast, the UK has been slower to adopt, but expectations are shifting fast, especially among globally connected homeowners and hospitality brands.

The UK Is Catching Up

In our London studio, we see this change every day. Many of our clients purchasing brand-new apartments ask us to replace the standard developer-supplied WCs with washlets before they move in. For them, it’s no longer a luxury, it’s a baseline expectation.

We’ve also seen a similar trend emerging in hospitality projects. International guests, particularly from Asia and the Middle East, increasingly expect washlets in premium hotels and serviced apartments. For these clients, it’s not an upgrade, it’s a standard of living.

It makes us wonder: why aren’t UK property developers offering buyers the choice between a traditional WC and a washlet from the outset?

More Than Just Luxury

The growing interest in washlets isn’t just about technology. It’s about wellbeing, sustainability, and thoughtful living.

Water cleansing is more hygienic and gentler than paper, improving personal comfort. Many washlets also feature warm-air drying, meaning significantly less toilet paper usage an important step towards sustainability. For families with children, elderly residents, or people with limited mobility, washlets also make bathrooms far more accessible and intuitive.

This isn’t just a design trend. It’s part of a wider shift towards creating healthier, smarter, and more sustainable homes.

Our Perspective

At Txengo Studio, we believe good design is about more than aesthetics, it’s about anticipating future needs, integrating technology seamlessly, and enhancing everyday living.

Washlets reflect exactly that philosophy. They combine functionality, comfort, and sustainability in a way that quietly improves quality of life.

The demand is here. The technology is proven.
It’s time the UK property and hospitality sectors caught up or at the very least, began offering homeowners the choice.

Considering a Washlet Upgrade?

Whether you’re designing a new home, renovating a bathroom, or developing a hospitality project, we can help you specify the right solution.

At Txengo Studio, we work with brands like TOTO, Duravit, VitrA, and Washloo all widely available in the UK selecting models that best complement each project’s design, installation requirements, and client lifestyle.

If you’re thinking about upgrading your bathroom, speak to our team at Txengo Studio. Because thoughtful design begins with the details.