Toilets

• Close-coupled: The most popular style in the UK and Ireland, these toilets have the cistern located directly on top of the pan.
• Back-to-wall: This style conceals the cistern within a WC unit or in a stud wall, leaving only the flush button visible.
• Corner: These toilets have a close-coupled style and are specially designed so they can be installed in the corner of your bathroom, to save on space or work with an awkwardly-shaped room. They’re positioned to face into the bathroom diagonally from the corner.
• Low and high-level: These have a traditional look, with both having the cistern positioned above the toilet pan and the two connected via a flush pipe. The low-level styles feature the cistern lower down the wall, so are better if you don’t have the ceiling height for a high-level style, which is fitted further up and usually has a flush chain and handle.
• Comfort-height: As the name implies, these toilets stand at a more comfortable height, so are easier to use, especially as you get older.
• Wall-hung: These toilets have the pan suspended off the floor to free up space, with the cistern usually concealed behind the wall.
• Rimless: This style of toilet is more hygienic without the rim to clean under and has a unique flushing system which swirls the water around the bowl.
• Accessible: These are specially designed for use by people with reduced mobility and are subsequently more comfortable and stand higher than standard toilets.

What should I think about before buying a toilet?

When deciding which toilet is right for you, consider the space that you have in your bathroom, along with the features which are most important to you. If you have a smaller bathroom, then design is key, as a wall-hung or corner toilet might suit best, whereas if you seek comfort then a comfort-height toilet would be best. If you want a more traditional style, meanwhile, a high-level toilet might be the one for you. You can also choose from single and dual-flush options, as well as sensor flushes.

Consider:

• Bathroom size.
• Budget
• Toilet type.
• Seat height.
• Style and design.
• Flush features.

If you have a smaller bathroom, then wall-hung toilets or corner styles are good options for maximising the use of your space.

Rimless toilets are easy to clean as they don’t have a rim and are more hygienic overall, with nowhere for bacteria to lurk. Wall-hung toilets are another option, as their sleek design has fewer crevices to clean, while back-to-wall toilets don’t require cleaning around the back of the cistern, as everything is flush against the wall. Any toilet with a concealed cistern will generally be easier to clean.

If you value comfort then a higher, comfort-height toilet is a good option – and increasingly popular with many customers, as it won’t need to be altered further down the line. The pan is raised higher than standard varieties to assist with usage and is particularly good if you have mobility issues or lower back pain, as it puts less pressure on your joints and lower back. This style is also better for older people and is just generally more comfortable. If you have a wall-hung toilet, then you can choose your preferred height. Just remember to decide what height you need before you buy – no matter what type of toilet you’re considering – so you know what your options are!