Toilet Shopping? Here's What You Should Know About The Three Styles Of Toilet

The toilet is one of the most fundamental yet frequently overlooked bathroom fixtures. Most people dismiss it as an essential part of their bathroom's sanitary ware and put little thought into how it affects their bathroom's space. Further, a toilet has the power to make or break your bathroom's style. So if you're going toilet shopping, you must be aware of the three key types of toilets you can purchase for your bathroom: wall-hung, close-coupled, and back-to-wall.

While each of these toilet types might fit your bathroom, they might not go with your bathroom's style and décor. Moreover, choosing a toilet type that commandeers your small bathroom's leftover space will leave little room for you to tuck in your legs. Therefore, it's important to look at the distinct advantages of all three types of toilets before settling on one that would be the ideal fit for your bathroom and can be accommodated in the space you have.

True to its name, a wall-hung toilet hangs from the wall and is suspended from the floor, giving the impression of a floating toilet. Perfect for modern bathrooms due to their clean lines and sleek look, these wall-mounted units don't require a pedestal, and their cistern is hidden in the wall. This saves precious floor space, making them ideal for small bathrooms, and facilitates cleaning beneath the toilet.

Close-coupled toilets are one of the most common toilets and are easily identifiable due to their L shape. This toilet type features a cistern directly above the toilet bowl and a pedestal beneath for its attachment to the floor. Though considered traditional, these toilet designs are easy to install, don't require extra plumbing, and can be outfitted with various flush mechanisms, like the dual flush, to save water and reduce your water bill.

Back-to-wall toilets, meanwhile, are ideal for smaller bathrooms as well, with the toilet bowl fixed into the wall. Their cistern and pipes are hidden behind the wall or a furniture unit, helping you achieve a minimalist look. They're also incredibly easy to maintain and clean.

Choosing one out of the three toilet types for your bathroom can be challenging, especially if you're torn between a one-piece and a two-piece toilet. But this choice can become easier once you factor in the toilet's dimensions, bowl type, usage, and your bathroom space overall.

One-piece toilets typically measure 17 to 19 inches (aka comfort height) from the toilet seat to the floor. In comparison, two-piece toilets can be installed either at standard height (15 inches) or comfort height. Further, most toilets are 27 to 30 inches deep and 20 inches wide. Coming to the bowl type, round ones are better suited for smaller bathrooms, while elongated ones are more spacious and comfy.

Moreover, if the toilet is intended for a child, a toilet positioned at a lower height would be better. But if it's intended for the elderly, toilets positioned higher would let them use the toilet without assistance. Besides considering the above factors, also measure the bathroom space a toilet would require. Leave at least a meter's gap (approximately 40 inches) around the designated toilet space to avoid feeling cramped. The toilet's base shape and placement play an important role, too.