Q: Dear Ed: We're planning a bathroom remodel with a toilet and matching bidet. Even though we have a good size bathroom area, it may get crowded when we add the bidet. Any suggestions on how we can best use our available bathroom space to fit everything?

A: When designing a bathroom with a toilet and a bidet, the two fixtures are usually installed side by side, and that does take up valuable bathroom space. It can be especially challenging trying to add a bidet to an existing bathroom. In the past, expensive labor to rough-in new plumbing for both fixtures was usually needed to make everything fit.

But, I have some good news for you. Smart electronic toilets are now available that can fit into the existing toilet space. These new wave toilets not only offer extra comfort features like heated seating, they are also full functioning bidet fixtures. Basically, you're getting two fixtures in one without taking up any extra space.

Electronic bidets are also available in toilet seat models, so now even existing toilets can be turned into a double-duty fixture as well.

Visit Master Contractor/Plumber Ed Del Grande at

www.eddelgrande.com or write eadelg@cs.com