Selecting the right compact toilet for a small bathroom is crucial to avoid expensive mistakes and installation issues. A compact toilet designed for small bathrooms needs to fit the space perfectly while offering ease of maintenance and efficiency.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to choose the ideal compact toilet that suits both your bathroom’s size and your functional needs.
Small Bathrooms: Why Are They a Problem?
Small bathrooms come with a unique set of problems that go beyond simply having less space to work with. When every inch matters (like it does for small bathrooms) trying to fit the needed fixtures while keeping the room functional and look stylish becomes difficult. This is because standard bathroom pieces often don’t work well with small spaces (due to their size, they often make movement awkward and daily tasks uncomfortable).
Installing toilets is one thing, carrying out maintenance is another. When using standard toilets in small bathrooms, regular maintenance becomes difficult too, especially when there’s barely enough room to access plumbing or make repairs.
These problems get amplified when you are living with elderly members or people with mobility needs.
The good thing in all this is that having a small bathroom is not the end of the world. You just have to be careful when choosing a toilet for your home in order to make the right choice. In the next section, we’ll be pointing out some key features that’ll help you pick the right toilet for your small bathroom.
Compact Toilet Features To Look For
When choosing a toilet for your small bathroom, certain features become more important than others. Let’s have a look at what really matters:
Compact Size
Getting the right toilet is crucial for small bathrooms where every inch counts. Your toilet’s footprint (which is the floor space it takes) and rough-in measurements (i.e., the distance from the wall to the drain) must match your space perfectly. Otherwise, it can lead to installation problems or a bathroom that feels cramped or uncomfortable. So look for toilets that are specifically designed for small spaces (toilets with streamlined shapes that look compact while maintaining comfort).
Water Efficiency
Look for a toilet that comes with dual-flush systems that let you control water consumption based on your needs. This way, for liquid waste, you can use less water (which is usually around 0.8 gallons), while solid waste gets a full flush (of about 1.6 gallons). With this smart feature, you can cut down your water bills while being eco-friendly.
Flushing Power
Look for a small toilet with serious flushing power. This is because a toilet with good flushing power will prevent clogs and eliminate the need for multiple flushes. The toilet should have gravity-fed or pressure-assisted systems that can handle waste effectively with a single flush.
Style and Design
Your toilet’s look matters more than you think in a small bathroom. For example, clean, minimalistic, modern designs do double duty—they save space and make your bathroom feel bigger. In fact, many space-saving toilets now come with sleek profiles and hidden tanks that blend seamlessly with contemporary bathroom styles. So go for designs with smooth surfaces and minimal details—they not only look better but also make cleaning easier.
Budget
Setting a realistic budget is crucial when choosing a toilet for your restroom. While it’s tempting to focus only on the price tag, consider both immediate and long-term costs. Quality brands like American Standard, Toto, and Kohler offer the best compact toilets that combine good performance with reasonable prices. The great thing is, you don’t always need to go for the most expensive option to get reliable performance and style. Just make sure you factor in installation costs if you’re not planning a DIY project and consider how water efficiency might affect your utility bills in the long run.
Easy Installation and Maintenance
Look for toilets with simple installation requirements to save the cost of hiring a professional. Models with a concealed trapway and skirted designs are a plus. It means that they have fewer nooks where dirt can hide which makes cleaning easier and faster. In terms of maintenance, models with easy-to-access parts will come in handy when maintenance is required (most especially when dealing with small spaces).
Now you know what to look for, let’s take a look at how you can measure your bathroom for your compact toilet.
How to Measure Your Small Bathroom For A Toilet
Getting accurate measurements is an important step you must take if you want to get the best toilet for your small bathroom. In this section, we’ll cover what you need to measure and how to do it right.
Tools you’ll need:
- Sturdy, retractable tape measure
- Level (for checking wall straightness)
- Printable guide
- Camera (for reference photos)
- Notepad for recording measurements
Key measurements to take:
Rough-In Distance
This is the most important measurement to take. To do it, measure from the finished wall (not the baseboard) to the center of the toilet flange (i.e., the drain hole). Standard rough-ins are 12 inches, but older homes might have 10 or 14 inches. If your toilet wall isn’t straight, then take multiple measurements and use the smallest measurement to be safe.
Clearance Space
Clearance refers to the space in front of the toilet and around it. Insufficient space will make daily tasks difficult—especially when trying to clean around the fixtures or if mobility is a concern. So you need good clearance space, which is why it’s also an important measurement to make.
Wall Space
Check the total wall space, including the height (especially for wall-mounted toilets), position of baseboards, any built-in fixtures or obstacles, and plumbing access points.
Once you have all your measurements ready, review them against the detailed specifications provided by manufacturers. Many compact toilet models list exact rough-ins and clearance requirements.
Note: Ensure that the toilet’s recommended dimensions align with your recorded measurements to avoid overcrowding or installation problems.
Types of Toilets for Small Bathrooms
Before you go searching for or choosing toilets for your small bathrooms you need to know the different types available in the market today, their pros, and cons. Arming yourself with this information will help you make the best choice for your budget. Here are the different types of toilets you can go for.
Wall-Hung Toilets
Wall-hung toilets are mounted directly to the wall, with their tank hidden inside the wall. Its floating design frees up available valuable floor space and makes cleaning easier (since there are no awkward spots where dirt can hide).
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Maximizes floor space with its floating design | Higher purchase and installation cost |
| It’s easier to clean | Requires professional installation |
| Has a modern, open look | Needs reinforced wall support |
| Makes your bathroom feel larger | Tank access can be tricky for repairs |
| Has a minimalist design that fits modern decor | Limited style options |
Our Choice: Swiss Madison Wall Mount Toilet
Compact One-Piece Toilets
Compact one-piece toilets combine tank and toilet bowl into a single, streamlined unit with smaller footprint. The seamless design of compact one-piece toilets eliminates the gap between tank and the round bowl, which also makes it easy to clean.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Has a smaller footprint compared to standard toilets | It’s more expensive than two-piece models |
| It’s easier to clean (no gap between pieces) | It’s heavier to install |
| Works with standard rough-in dimensions | You’ll need to replace the whole unit if damaged |
| Installation is simple | It can be harder to transport |
| Has a modern, clean appearance | May not be so modern |
Our Choice: HOROW T0338WM Elongated One Piece Toilet
Corner Toilets
Corner toilets are specifically designed to fit into the corner of a bathroom. This makes it perfect for small bathrooms with irregular layouts or limited space.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It can be tucked neatly into any unused corner space | It has limited style and model choices |
| It’s perfect for awkward layouts | It may require special plumbing setup |
| It saves central bathroom space | The installation may be complex for some homeowners |
Our Choice: Corner Toilet Dual Flush from Home Depot
Smart Compact Toilets
Beyond traditional designs, there are specialized models that incorporate innovative features to cater to modern lifestyles. These include smart toilets equipped with advanced technology and eco-friendly models focused on sustainability.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Modern features in one unit | It’s costly to purchase |
| Advanced cleaning technology | The installation is complex |
| Water-saving technology (e.g., dual flush toilets) | It may need an electrical outlet to function |
| Minimalist designs reduce footprint | Some advanced features may not be necessary, especially for very small bathrooms |
Our Choice: Bazyths Smart Compact Toilet
Compact Two-Piece Toilets
The budget friendly choice, these traditional styled toilets now come in space-saving designs. It’s easy to repair since the parts are readily available and many newer models feature sleeker profiles than older versions.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It’s usually the most affordable option | Less sleek appearance (compared to other compact designs) |
| It’s easy to find replacement parts | Gap between spaces needs extra cleaning |
| Easy to repair | Takes up more visual space |
| Lighter pieces for installation | It may look less modern |
| Has a wide variety of styles | Has a larger footprint |
Our Choice: TOTO CST243EF#01 Entrada Two-Piece Toilet
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have come to the end of this guide. We have looked at the problems associated with small bathrooms, what to look for in a compact toilet, and the different types of toilets you can purchase for your small bathroom.
Armed with all this information, you should be able to make the right choice for your home. Just start by carefully measuring your space (rough-in and clearance dimensions), set your budget and lifestyle needs then choose a toilet model that matches them closely.
FAQs
Which features make the best toilet brands unique?
Top brands like Toto, Kohler, and American Standard use quality materials that last longer and make cleaning simple. Their toilets come with powerful flush systems that work quietly and help save water, too. Some models even come with advanced features like automatic flushing, heated seats, and self-cleaning functions for extra comfort. These brands might cost more upfront, but their reliability makes them worth considering.
What is the best toilet for a small bathroom?
The perfect toilet for your small bathroom depends on your unique space and needs. If you’re dealing with a really tight space, wall-hung toilets could be your best bet since they save valuable floor space. Compact one-piece toilets are another great option— they give you a good mix of style and function without taking up too much room. Just remember to check your measurements first and keep your budget in mind. Take a look at the features we covered earlier in this guide to help you make the right choice.
What is the best flushing toilet for small spaces?
If you’re looking for a toilet that really performs in small spaces, then go for a dual-flush system like the HOROW Small Dual-Flush Toilet. It is designed specifically for tight bathrooms, with a slim build that doesn’t compromise on flushing power. The dual-flush system is a nice touch—it helps cut down on water bills while making sure everything flushes away properly. Plus, it runs quietly, which is especially important in small homes where the bathroom might be close to your living area or bedroom.
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Paul Wilson is a highly skilled plumber with over ten years of experience in the industry. He holds an IDPH license and takes pride in his ability to tackle many plumbing issues and successfully complete even the most challenging projects.
