Explore Our Toilet Buying Guide
When renovating or designing a bathroom, an important decision will be to choose which style of toilet to use. Beyond looks, the style of toilet you pick can influence comfort, cleaning, installation, and even the overall feel of your bathroom. Whilst the decision can be made for a variety of reasons, consideration must be given to which option can practically be used in the given space as well. The three main choices are Back to Wall, Wall Hung, and Close Coupled toilets. Let’s break down the differences to help you decide which one suits your space best.
1. Close Coupled Toilets
What are close coupled toilets?
These toilets are the most common style. The cistern or tank, sits directly on the back of the toilet pan, forming a single, complete unit.
Key features:
- Easy to install, with no concealed parts.
- Cost-effective compared to other options.
- Available in modern and traditional designs.
- Takes up slightly more floor space since the cistern is visible.
Best for:
Homeowners who want a reliable, budget-friendly, and straightforward toilet with minimal fuss.
2. Back-to-Wall Toilets
What are back-to-wall toilets?
These toilets sit flush against the wall, with the cistern either hidden inside the wall or concealed within a piece of bathroom furniture (a WC unit).
Key features:
- Sleek, space-saving design with no visible pipework.
- Easier to clean around the toilet base compared to close coupled styles.
- Concealed cistern allows for a neater look.
- Requires more planning and possibly extra installation work to house the cistern.
- Will require an additional flush button / plate but these can be purchased in the same colour as the chosen brassware.
Best for:
Bathrooms aiming for a modern, streamlined look without committing to a fully wall-hung design.
3. Wall-Hung Toilets
What are wall-hung toilets?
These toilets are mounted onto a frame which is concealed behind the wall or a dedicated piece of furniture. The toilet pan “floats” above the floor.
Key features:
- Creates a minimalist, contemporary look.
- Maximises floor space, making bathrooms look bigger.
- Very easy to clean underneath since the toilet doesn’t touch the floor.
- Installation is more complex and requires a strong wall frame to support the toilet.
- Typically more expensive than other options.
Best for:
Modern bathrooms where style, space, and ease of cleaning are top priorities.