What’s the best type of toilet for a small bathroom?

If you have a small bathroom then it is fairly obvious that space is an issue and you need to reclaim as much as you can: both for aesthetics and just pure comfort. One thing every bathroom is going to need, even if is just purely for ‘convenience’, is a toilet. There are several options available to you if you need to claw back some space.

Whether you are fitting out a whole bathroom or a small ‘cloakroom’ under the stairs, there are a few guidelines to consider. Choosing something as crucial and, hopefully, long-lasting as a toilet is not something to take lightly, which is why we are here to help you choose.

It’s all about the dimensions

It sounds obvious but you have to take into consideration the available space that you have to work with. If your bathroom is on the larger side, you have nothing to worry about (also, why are you reading this?). Picking the right toilet for a smaller room though is more of a challenge. Not to put too small a point on it, size matters.

The majority of homes that have a few bedrooms tend to have a second, smaller toilet – usually downstairs, perhaps under the stairs, but sometimes upstairs as an ensuite for the master bedroom.

A typical size for a cloakroom toilet is roughly 1200 x 1200 mm, so space is very much at a premium and you need to make certain that there is enough space between the toilet itself and the washbasin (and the door, of course). Finding a toilet that fits a space this small is not always easy but it can be done.

To maximise the available space and the overall design, whether a small cloakroom type arrangement or small bathroom, there are small toilet types that you can choose from.

The wall-mounted toilet

If there is enough space behind the wall (there almost certainly will be for an under-stair cloakroom), you may want to toy with the idea of getting yourself a wall-mounted toilet. Because the cistern is ‘in the wall’, you need much less space than with a regular toilet arrangement. They also look great and floors are arguably easier to keep clean and hygienic because the toilet is off the floor.

The back to wall type of toilet

The back to wall toilet is perfect for a small bathroom, so much so they may as well have been designed specifically for that kind of small space. A back to wall toilet is essentially just a wall-mounted toilet that sits on the floor. Of course, every single toilet needs a cistern of some kind or another, but using discreet concealment you can more space in the room – always useful if you need other things in there too.

The short projection toilet

A short projection toilet is another great design idea where space is limited. These are smaller than regular toilets, hence the name, and there are different sizes so you need to be sure that you choose on that will fit, well, you and the members of your household. Because of the size difference, it is worth doing a little research if this is the approach that you want to take.

The Combination toilet and washbasin option

Another brilliant idea, if you have the space along the wall you will be installing against, is the combined unit of a toilet and a washbasin. Many of these have some storage space underneath too so they are a  3 in 1 deal. This option saves space all-round, since the washbasin is next to the toilet so any existing basin can be removed, freeing up that area of the room.

The combination option can be both highly functional as well as stylish, even more so if you choose an option that has storage space under the basin. It will also give the appearance of the room being larger than it is.

Space-saving tips

While choosing the right toilet for the space available is important, there are other things that you could do to make the most of the space available.

The physical dimensions of the room may well be on the small side but it is still perfectly possible to give the illusion of having more space. Tiling, for instance, can add depth to even the smallest of spaces – particularly with marble-effect tiles and those with beige or light grey colour tones.

Storage can often be an issue, but there isn’t always a need to have cabinets (especially with a combination toilet and basin): wire rack storage with a few shelves takes up very little space and is ideal for toiletries.

In conclusion

A smaller bathroom or cloakroom doesn’t need to be all that constrictive when it comes to the amenities that you have installed in there, there are options and ways and means.