Traditional toilets bring timeless character to Federation, Victorian, Hamptons and heritage-inspired bathrooms. With elegant proportions and period-style detailing, they help create a bathroom that feels considered, refined and beautifully enduring.

But when choosing the best traditional toilet, it is worth looking beyond the exterior design. The details you do not immediately see can make a significant difference to how your toilet looks, installs, cleans and performs over time.

Here are nine features to consider before choosing a traditional toilet suite.

1. A True Back-to-Wall Design

Many traditional toilets leave visible pipework or gaps behind the pan. A true back-to-wall toilet sits neatly against the wall, concealing pipework for a cleaner and more integrated finish.

This gives you the elegance of a traditional toilet without the visual clutter often associated with older-style installations.

2. A Generous Set-Out Range

​The S-trap set-out is the distance from the finished wall to the centre of the floor waste. It's one of the first dimensions plumbers check before selecting a toilet.

The Stafford Traditional Back-to-Wall Toilet has been engineered to suit a generous 60–160mm S-trap set-out range, providing excellent flexibility for both new builds and renovations. For projects requiring a larger set-out, the range can be extended to 160–270mm with the optional Adjustable 3 Piece Pan Bend (Code: APB350), making Stafford suitable for an even wider range of installation scenarios.

Combined with its universal S or P trap compatibility and included curved pan bend, Stafford has been designed to simplify installation while achieving a genuine back-to-wall finish.

It's a practical engineering detail that installers immediately appreciate and one of the reasons Stafford is such an installer-friendly traditional toilet suite.

3. Multiple Water Inlet Options for a Cleaner Installation

Multiple water inlet options allow the water supply to be connected from the left, right or rear of the cistern, giving plumbers greater flexibility and helping achieve a cleaner, more refined finish with concealed pipework where possible.

4. Premium Internal Valves ​

The internal flushing system is one of the most important parts of any toilet, yet it is often overlooked.

Stafford combines German-made Geberit flush valves with the craftsmanship of a complete toilet suite manufactured in Italy. While you may never see the internal components, you'll appreciate their reliable performance and durability every day.

5. Quality Ceramic Manufacturing

Traditional toilet design relies heavily on proportion, shape and finish. High-quality ceramic helps achieve a refined appearance, smooth surface and lasting durability.

Italian-made ceramic is especially valued for its craftsmanship, making it a strong choice for premium bathroom projects.

6. Flexible Installation Options

Every bathroom is different, particularly in renovations. Choosing a traditional toilet with universal S or P trap compatibility gives your installer more flexibility and helps make the installation process smoother.

An included swan neck pan bend is another practical detail that can support an efficient installation.

7. Water Efficiency

A traditional toilet should still meet modern expectations for water efficiency. Look for a WELS-rated toilet.

Stafford features a 4 Star WELS rating with a 4.5/3L dual flush, helping reduce water use while still delivering dependable everyday performance.

8. Every Day Details, Like The Seat!

The little details are often the ones you'll appreciate the most.

The Stafford Traditional Toilet Suite is available with a beautifully crafted painted MDF soft-close seat, offering a premium feel that's noticeably different from standard plastic toilet seats.

Heavier, thicker and more substantial, the painted finish complements traditional bathroom design while delivering a refined, furniture-like appearance.

Chrome hinges coordinate with your tapware and bathroom accessories. The suite also features a chrome dual flush button, creating a clean, understated finish that blends seamlessly into the cistern.

These thoughtful finishing touches ensure every part of the toilet feels as premium as the bathroom around it.

9. Easy Installation With Exceptional Finished Result

A beautifully designed toilet should also be straightforward to install.

The Stafford toilet has been engineered with installers in mind, featuring a universal S or P trap configuration, an included swan neck pan bend and a 60–160mm set-out, extendable to 270mm with the optional Adjustable 3 Piece Pan Bend (APB350), allowing for a true back-to-wall installation across a wider range of renovation and new-build projects.

Combined, these features make Stafford one of the easiest traditional toilet suites to install, helping save time on site while delivering an exceptional finished result.

Discover the Stafford Traditional Back-to-Wall Toilet Suite.