You’ve Never Before Seen a Toilet Made Out of This Material

When it comes to buying a new toilet, we’re typically presented with two choices: porcelain or plastic. And while some companies like Toto and Binli have experimented with making aesthetically pleasing options, they stick to the material status quo. So, of course, leave it to a design-savvy country like Finland to change our bathrooms for the better. At this year’s Helsinki Design Week, we discovered Woodio, a Helsinki-based fixtures brand that is crafting beautiful bathtubs, sinks, and toilets out of wood. 

Before you start picturing a rustic cabin bathroom decked out in pine, hear us out. On first glance, you might mistake the material for terrazzo. Because Woodio’s sleek options are actually made of recycled wood chips set in a resin base, it gives the final product a sort of speckled look. The composite wood product is completely waterproof, and the brand has high hopes it will fully replace ceramic and stone materials, which have a large carbon footprint, in the future. 

The bathroom isn’t the only area Woodio specializes in. The material, available in 17 finishes and colors (including a chic forest green and burgundy), can also be applied to wall panels, doorknobs, and hooks. The best part: The company ships worldwide. 

Renovators may be skeptical about making the switch, but knowing it’s just as durable as porcelain and trendy recycled plastics, not to mention much less susceptible to staining than marble (it features a dirt-repellent coating), should bring you comfort. And when curious guests inevitably ask you about your chic toilet, just quote the brand’s motto: Yes, it’s wood.