How To Fit A Toilet Into A Tiny Bathroom While Maximizing Space

Having or not having a few extra square feet can make a difference in a room inside any house, especially if it's a bathroom. Unfortunately, if a bathroom is too small and tight, things get tricky when creating a functional layout for proper use.

When space is limited in a bathroom, it's essential to know how to maximize its capabilities, considering many things like choosing the right furniture size or how the doors will open. However, knowing how to fit your toilet correctly will make a considerable difference when it comes to making the most of your bathroom space.

If you have a tiny bathroom that needs some renovating — or you're building a new bathroom and need to know how to deal with a lack of space — here are some tips you should follow when fitting a toilet in a small bathroom, along with other space-maximizing considerations.

Meeting the minimum comfort standards dictated by state-building guidelines is key when choosing the proper toilet and knowing where to put it in a bathroom. First, it's mandatory to have at least 21 inches of free space in front of the toilet bowl's edge, despite most users preferring to have up to 30 inches. This ensures enough leg room while sitting on a toilet or standing in front of it. 

In addition, you'll need a free space of 15 to 18 inches on either side of the toilet seat. This will allow you to sit comfortably without hitting walls or knocking things over. If space is limited, position the toilet in front of a wall where nothing is hanging or installed.

Second, choosing the right toilet size depends on the toilet's shape, style, and rough-in measurements. Regarding shape and style, toilets are either elongated or round and are one-piece or two-piece. Although elongated toilets are the most comfortable to sit on, the round ones are the most space-saving. On top of that, one-piece toilets take up less space than two-piece ones, thanks to their built-in tank. 

Additionally, waste pipes are typically placed 12 inches from the finished wall, meaning the toilet's rough-in should be the same, to ensure no space between the wall and the toilet's tank. Nonetheless, toilet options with a 10-inch rough-in measurement allow you to save some extra inches.

When dealing with small bathrooms, there is more to do to maximize the space than knowing where to put the toilet. For example, choosing the right door and in which direction it opens are also important design choices to make. If the bathroom is too small, it's best to go for a sliding door or a door that opens to the outside instead of the inside; this will leave room for more free space in your bathroom.

Another way to maximize space in a tiny bathroom is to install cabinets — and other features as well, if possible — onto the wall; this will provide the illusion of having extra space and will therefore free up the floor a bit more. There are countless options, like this wall-hanging vanity from Amazon or this toilet bowl, also from Amazon, that you can mount to the wall. Also, using glass doors and oversized mirrors that reflect light will make the room feel bigger than it really is.

If you have a small bathroom, following these tips will make a tremendous difference in how you feel inside the space. Start by placing your toilet in an optimal spot, then try other space-maximizing tricks, and enjoy how spacious your bathroom will feel.