Bidets: A Complete Guide

Quick Answer: What Is a Bidet and Do You Need One?

A bidet is a bathroom fixture, either standalone or integrated into a toilet, that uses water to clean after using the toilet, offering an alternative or complement to toilet paper. UK adoption has grown steadily in recent years, driven by hygiene, comfort, and sustainability reasons, with options ranging from simple attachments costing under £50 through to fully integrated smart toilets costing over £1,000.

Types of Bidets

Standalone Bidets

A separate fixture installed alongside the toilet, traditional in many European bathrooms, requiring its own plumbing connection and floor space. This is the least common option in UK homes given the additional space and plumbing needed.

Bidet Attachments

A low cost, easily fitted device that attaches to your existing toilet seat or sits between the seat and bowl, connecting to the toilet’s water supply to provide a cleaning spray without needing a separate fixture.

Bidet Toilet Seats

A replacement toilet seat with integrated bidet functionality, offering more features than a basic attachment, such as adjustable water pressure, temperature control, and sometimes a heated seat, while still fitting onto a standard toilet.

Smart/Integrated Bidet Toilets

A fully integrated unit combining the toilet and bidet functions in one piece, often with advanced features like automatic lid opening, air drying, and deodorising, representing the premium end of the market.

Bidet Options Compared

Type	Typical Cost	Installation	Key Features
Bidet attachment	£30 to £100	DIY, fits most toilets	Basic water spray, no electricity needed
Bidet toilet seat	£100 to £400	DIY or simple professional fit	Adjustable pressure, temperature, sometimes heated seat
Standalone bidet	£150 to £500 plus plumbing	Professional, needs new plumbing	Traditional separate fixture
Smart integrated toilet	£600 to £2,000+	Professional	Full automation, drying, deodorising

Do You Need Plumbing Changes for a Bidet?

Bidet attachments and most bidet toilet seats connect directly to your existing toilet water supply using a simple T-valve connector, requiring no new plumbing work. Standalone bidets and some premium integrated units need a dedicated water supply and sometimes drainage connection, which does require professional plumbing installation.

Benefits of Using a Bidet

Improved hygiene compared to toilet paper alone for many users
Reduced toilet paper consumption, offering both cost savings and environmental benefit
Added comfort, particularly valued by those with mobility limitations or certain health conditions
Reduced risk of irritation for people with sensitive skin or certain dermatological conditions

Electric vs Non-Electric Bidets

Non-electric bidet attachments use only your home’s existing water pressure and require no power source, making them simpler to install and typically more affordable. Electric bidet seats offer additional features like heated water, warm air drying, and heated seats, but need a nearby power socket and generally cost more both upfront and to run.

Installing a Bidet Attachment: What to Expect

Turn off the water supply to the toilet before starting
Remove the existing toilet seat
Fit the T-valve connector to the toilet’s water supply line
Attach the bidet unit according to the manufacturer’s instructions
Refit the toilet seat over the bidet attachment and turn the water supply back on

Most bidet attachments can be fitted within 30 to 60 minutes by a confident DIYer with basic tools, without needing a plumber.

Choosing the Right Bidet for Your Bathroom

Limited budget or renting: A basic non-electric bidet attachment offers the lowest cost, easiest installation option
Wanting more comfort features: A bidet toilet seat with adjustable settings offers a good mid-range balance
Full bathroom renovation: A smart integrated toilet or standalone bidet suits a premium new bathroom fit-out
Accessibility needs: Electric bidet seats with automated features can offer meaningful support for users with limited mobility

Frequently Asked Questions

Can any toilet have a bidet attachment fitted?

Most standard toilets can accommodate a bidet attachment or bidet toilet seat, though it is worth checking the specific product’s compatibility with your toilet’s seat fixing points and water supply connection before purchase.

Do bidets use a lot of water?

Bidet water usage is generally modest per use, and many households find the reduction in toilet paper consumption offsets the water use from both a cost and environmental perspective.

Are electric bidet seats expensive to run?

Electric bidet seats use a small amount of electricity for water heating and any additional features like seat warming or air drying, generally adding a modest amount to household energy bills.

Can you fit a bidet attachment yourself?

Yes, most bidet attachments and bidet toilet seats are designed for straightforward DIY installation using basic tools, typically taking under an hour to fit.

Is a bidet more hygienic than toilet paper?

Many users and some health professionals consider bidets more hygienic than toilet paper alone, though personal preference plays a significant role, and either can be part of good bathroom hygiene practice.

Expert Insight

Bathroom fitters report a steady rise in bidet attachment and bidet seat installations across UK homes over recent years, often linked to broader interest in sustainable living and reduced toilet paper consumption, alongside general comfort and hygiene preferences.

Final Thoughts

Bidets have moved from a niche European bathroom fixture to an increasingly mainstream choice in UK homes, helped by affordable, easy to install attachment options that need no professional plumbing work. Choosing between a simple attachment, a featured toilet seat, or a full integrated unit comes down to budget, desired features, and whether you are renovating from scratch or upgrading an existing bathroom.

Considering a bidet? Start with a basic non-electric attachment if you are unsure about the switch, since it offers the lowest cost, no-commitment way to try a bidet before investing in a premium featured option.