It may come as a surprise but there are many different types and styles of toilets available. Even though your bathroom is unlikely to find its ‘wow’ factor from the design of your new toilet, you will have lots of options to consider for your new bathroom.
Close-coupled
These are the most common type of toilet: the back of the toilet (the cistern) is attached to the toilet bowl and seat. Essentially, the toilet is one unit within which the pipes are all hidden.
Back-to-wall
For this type of toilet, both the cistern and the toilet bowl are attached to the wall. The cistern can be concealed in the wall or in a furniture unit (thereby also concealing the pipes), with the toilet bowl standing on the floor.
Wall-hung
Often viewed as the modern option, the wall-hung toilet is mounted on the wall using a mounting frame. The toilet bowl is exposed but the cistern is hidden behind a unit or in the wall itself, creating a clean, spacious look.
Type of flush?
You can even choose the type of flush you would like from your new toilet. There is the standard side lever handle, the modern, popular push-button dual flush or (for a limited number of very traditional designs) the pull-chain!
Traditional & Modern
As well as the type of toilet, you must choose the style. Traditional toilets, broadly speaking, have a rounded bowl and sometimes decorative shaping detail on the cistern. Modern toilet designs can range from sleek, simple options to more striking angular bowls.
Traditional close-coupled
Back-to-wall toilet & bidet
Once viewed as outdated in the UK, the bidet is enjoying a resurgence as a luxury addition to modern bathrooms. Bidets supplement the toilet and are used for intimate hygiene. Both traditional and modern bidet designs are available and can be chosen to match the style of your new bathroom.
Wall-hung
As you would imagine, wall-hung bidets are secured to the wall using a frame. A bidet unit can also be useful for hiding the pipework and maintaining a neat appearance.
Back-to-wall
A back-to-wall bidet stands on the floor and is fitted against the wall.
A toilet is an essential for every bathroom. So what practicalities do you need to consider?
• Often a toilet seat must be purchased as an extra (albeit an essential one). We will advise you on the right type of toilet seat for your chosen toilet.
• Check if you have enough space in your bathroom for your chosen toilet (and bidet) as there are many different sizes of toilets to suit all sizes of bathroom – your plumber will be able to advise you.
• If you are tight for space, wall-hung toilets can create an illusion of space in a small bathroom due to the gap between the floor and the toilet. Alternatively, back-to-wall toilets are an excellent space-saving option.
• Wall-hung toilets are a great option for those with limited mobility as the toilet can be fitted at any height to suit the end user.
• Looking for a low maintenance toilet? Wall-hung toilets are perhaps the easiest to keep clean as you can access all around and underneath these toilets. Back-to-wall toilets are also easy-clean due to the concealed cistern.
• If you have chosen a bidet in addition to your toilet, remember you may also need to choose taps for your bidet (often not included).
• Raised height toilets are also available – a consideration for accessible bathrooms.
Close-coupled toilet
Wall-mounted toilet & bidet