Toilets: even the utilitarian commode is getting a revamp as toilet manufacturers strive to make this most basic of bathroom fixtures more accommodating and efficient.(Kitchen, Bath & Laundry: More Style, Less Money)(Buyers guide)

Some of the first low-flush toilets on the market earned a reputation for being problematic because they required two or more flushes to do their job--and often clogged in the process. Many of the newer models that were tested work quite well on a single flush. But there are large differences in performance--even within a given brand.

Trends include more comfort-height models, which raise the rim from the usual 14 inches to as much as 17 inches above the floor. The added height makes getting on and off easier, especially for aging boomers, who have helped boost sales to roughly twice what they were in 2001. But their added comfort is likely to appeal to younger buyers, too. Added efficiency is another selling point as major brands attempt to improve upon the 1.6 gallons per flush that has been the legal threshold since 1994. A growing number …