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The Best Compact Toilets for a Small Bathroom or Cloakroom
In a small bathroom or cloakroom, a few centimetres can decide whether the door closes or you can stand comfortably at the basin. A compact toilet is the easiest way to win that space back. Here are the main types and how to choose one that fits.
What makes a toilet 'compact'?
The measurement that matters most is the projection — how far the toilet sticks out from the wall. A short projection toilet has a shorter pan and often a slimmer cistern, so it takes up noticeably less floor space than a standard model. Always check the projection on the product page before you buy, as it varies between ranges.
The main types of compact toilet
Short projection close coupled
The cistern sits directly on the pan, just like a standard toilet, but the whole unit is shallower. It is the simplest swap for an existing toilet and needs no boxing in.
Compact close coupled
Similar to short projection, often with a narrower or more rounded pan. A good choice for cloakrooms where width is tight as well as depth.
Back-to-wall
The pan sits against the wall and the cistern is hidden in furniture or a boxed-in duct. It looks neat and the visible footprint is small, though you lose a little depth to the boxing.
Wall-hung
The pan is mounted on a concealed frame with the floor clear underneath. It makes a small room feel larger and is easy to clean round. You need space in the wall or a false wall for the frame and cistern.
How to measure for a compact toilet
- Measure from the finished back wall to the nearest obstruction in front of the toilet — usually the door swing or the opposite wall.
- Subtract the toilet's projection. What is left is your standing and leg room — make sure it is comfortable.
- Check the width between any side wall and the basin or shower.
- Check where the waste exits — horizontal outlet (through the wall) or vertical (through the floor) — and choose a pan that suits, or use the right connector.
Rimless pans: worth it in a small room
Many compact toilets now come with rimless pans. With no rim, there is nowhere for dirt to hide, so they are quicker to clean — handy in a cloakroom used by guests.
Products in this guide
Kartell K-VIT Options 550 Short Projection Toilet – Pan Only or Complete WC (POT078OPR)
From £106.20
View product
Nuie Provost Short Projection Close Coupled Toilet Pan & Cistern (CKN003)
£203.50
View product
Nuie Cleo Compact Rimless Toilet Pan & Cistern (CSS006)
£209.50
View product
Nuie Ava Compact Wall Hung Toilet Pan with Soft Close Seat (NCG540)
From £190.50
View product
Frequently asked questions
What is a short projection toilet?
A toilet that sticks out less from the wall than a standard model, so it takes up less floor space. The exact projection varies by range, so check the product dimensions.
Is a wall-hung toilet good for a small bathroom?
Yes. Leaving the floor clear underneath makes the room feel bigger and makes cleaning easy. You will need space for a concealed frame and cistern in the wall or a false wall.
Will a compact toilet flush as well as a standard one?
A good-quality compact toilet should flush just as effectively. Look for a dual-flush cistern and, where possible, a rimless pan for easier cleaning.