Toilet types

By Tom Drake | 9th February 2026 | 4 min read

Close-coupled toilets

• Simple to install
• Easy to maintain
• Great choice of styles

Close-coupled toilets are one of the most popular toilet styles, and it’s easy to see why. The cistern of a close-coupled toilet sits directly on top of the toilet pan, so installation is simpler than other toilet types. Lifting the cistern lid provides easy access to the internal parts, making maintenance quick and straightforward.

The popularity of close-coupled toilets means you’ll find a wide choice of shapes and styles to suit your bathroom.

Open back close-coupled toilets

Open back close-coupled toilets have a small gap between the toilet pan and the wall. This extra space makes installation and repairs easier, as it gives better access to the pipework.

Closed back close-coupled toilets

Closed back close-coupled toilets sit flush against the wall, giving your bathroom a sleek, minimalist look. They’re ideal if you want a clean finish and prefer to keep the pipework hidden.

Back to wall toilets

• Cistern is hidden in a wall or a furniture unit
• Modern, minimalist style
• Easy to clean

Back to wall toilets have a concealed cistern, either hidden inside a furniture unit or built into the wall. This creates a sleek, minimalist look that’s perfect for modern bathrooms. With fewer exposed surfaces, they’re also easier to clean.

When the cistern is fitted inside the wall, these toilets have a shorter projection, making them ideal for en-suite bathrooms and cloakrooms where space is limited.

Wall hung toilets

• Toilet pan is hung from a frame mounted to a wall
• Minimalist style perfect for modern bathrooms

Wall hung toilets are a great choice if you want your bathroom to feel modern and spacious. The toilet pan is fixed to a metal frame installed inside the wall, with a concealed cistern, so it appears to float above the floor. With no pedestal and fewer visible fittings, these toilets create a clean, uncluttered look that suits contemporary bathrooms.

Hiding the cistern in the wall also makes wall hung toilets ideal for smaller bathrooms or cloakrooms, as leaving the floor visible beneath the pan will help the room feel more open and spacious.

Traditional toilets

• Cistern is mounted on the wall above the toilet pan
• Classic style perfect for traditional bathrooms

High level and low level toilets feature a cistern mounted on the wall above the toilet, with a pipe leading down to the pan. This creates a classic look that’s perfect for period homes or bathrooms with a heritage style.

High level toilets have a cistern placed high on the wall, with a long flush pipe that adds to their vintage charm. If you love the traditional look but need something more compact, a low level toilet is a great alternative. These have a shorter pipe and a lower cistern, giving the same timeless style in a smaller space.

Comfort height toilets

• Around 5 centimetres (2 inches) taller than standard toilets
• Extra height can make standing and sitting easier

Comfort height toilets are usually around 2 inches, or 5 centimetres, taller than a standard toilet. It might not sound like much, but this extra height can make it easier to sit down and stand up.

Comfort height toilets may also reduce the strain on your lower back and joints when you’re seated. For more information about comfort height toilets, take a look at our guide.

Rimless toilets

• Feature a toilet bowl with no rim
• Easier to keep clean
• Sleek modern look

When a standard toilet is flushed, water flows from underneath a rim that sits around the edge of the pan. Rimless toilets don’t have this traditional rim. Instead, the flush directs water around the entire bowl, giving you a more hygienic flush.

With no rim where dirt and bacteria can build up, rimless toilets are easier to clean too, making them a great choice if you want a low‑maintenance bathroom.

Short projection toilets

• Occupy a smaller footprint in your bathroom
• Great for cloakrooms and en-suites

Short projection toilets feature a shorter pan that doesn’t extend as far from the wall as a standard toilet. This makes them ideal for small bathrooms where every centimetre counts. Back to wall, close-coupled, and wall hung toilets are available in shorter projections, so you can find a style that suits your bathroom.

Corner toilets

• Triangular cistern for corner installation
• Great space saver

Corner toilets have a triangular cistern that allows them to fit neatly into a 90-degree corner. They are a good option if you’re trying to rearrange your bathroom, but are struggling to find a layout that works. By making the most of unused corners, these toilets can help you create a practical and comfortable layout in a smaller space.

2 in 1 toilets

• Toilet and basin in one neat package
• Ideal for small cloakrooms

The ultimate bathroom space saver, 2-in-1 toilets combine a toilet and basin in one compact package. Usually featuring a basin above the cistern, these toilets are a great option if you’re trying to fit a cloakroom into a small space, such as the area underneath a staircase.

Choosing the right toilet

Size considerations

The size of your bathroom can affect which toilet you can choose. In a small bathroom, a short projection toilet can help the space feel more open. For a compact cloakroom, a corner toilet or a 2-in-1 toilet can help you make the most of limited space.

Installation considerations

When choosing a toilet, it’s important to consider whether your bathroom can accommodate it. If you don’t want to move your existing plumbing, or there’s only one place that your toilet can be installed, your options may be more limited. If you’re considering a wall hung toilet, you’ll need to check that the wall can support its weight.

Toilet FAQs