My sister moved into a new place yesterday and immediately called me. She said her toilet has some kind of shelf built into it. She was completely confused. To be honest, I've never heard of toilets having shelves either. What is that supposed to be?

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2. No Splashing

Because the waste lands on a dry or slightly damp porcelain shelf rather than plunging into a deep pool of water, there is absolutely zero risk of the dreaded "poseidon's kiss" (water splashing back up at you).

3. Medical Sampling

If a doctor ever needs a stool sample, a shelf toilet makes the process incredibly easy compared to trying to catch something mid-air or fishing it out of a deep bowl.

The Downsides

While it has its perks, there is a reason modern design has moved away from them:

• The Odor: Because the waste sits on the shelf in the open air until you flush, it can create a much stronger immediate smell in the bathroom.

• The "Skid Mark" Factor: A flush doesn't always cleanly clear the shelf. Your sister will definitely want to keep a toilet brush right next to the bowl, as a bit of manual scrubbing is frequently required after flushing.