If you are wondering how to choose a toilet, bathrooms have never had more variety and innovation than they do now, catering to households with different needs and layouts. By learning about the different toilet types and bowl shapes available, you can find one that fits comfort and bathroom space. From elongated toilets for extra comfort to compact single flush toilets, each has its own benefits.
Not all toilets are created equal, different types of toilet bowls are designed for different room sizes. Considering function, space saving and bathroom style makes it easier to narrow down the best option.
Definitions - WC or Toilet?
WC (water closet)
A WC, or water closet, is a fixture designed to collect and flush human waste. A WC refers to the toilet pan, toilet bowl and toilet cistern that makes up a complete unit.
Toilet
The term toilet is wider in breadth and includes different toilet types and toilet styles used in modern bathrooms and traditional toilets. A toilet can be wall-hung, back-to- wall or close-coupled depending on the installation.
Modern toilets have dual flush, rimless or eco-friendly toilet innovations for water saving. Choosing the right toilet means considering toilet seat shapes, toilet bowl types and precious floor space in smaller bathrooms.
WC or toilet terms may vary, but both refer to a type of toilet for liquid waste and solid waste.
What are the different toilet types?
There are many types of toilets available today for practical solutions and different toilet styles for modern bathrooms. We discuss these below (in alphabetical order):
Back-to-wall toilets
Back-to-wall toilets have a concealed cistern hidden within bathroom furniture or the wall, saving precious floor space. This type of toilet is popular in contemporary bathrooms where a clean, minimalist toilet style is required. New toilet installation usually requires access to an existing soil pipe, but the result creates a neat, modern bathroom finish. The Nuie Melbourne Back To Wall Toilet is a great example.
Bidets
Bidets are not toilets but are often paired with different toilet types to improve hygiene and bathroom functionality. They are positioned beside a toilet bowl and are used with toilet paper for washing liquid waste areas. Bidets remain more common in traditional toilets but are gaining popularity in modern bathrooms with contemporary styles. Example - Tissino Nerola Back to Wall Bidet.
Close-coupled toilets
A close-coupled toilet has the toilet pan and toilet cistern as one unit. This is the most common toilet to install. Modern toilets often have a dual flush for water efficiency, for control of liquid waste and solid waste. Example - Nuie Freya Compact Close Coupled Toilet With Soft Close Seat.
Disabled toilets
Disabled toilets are for accessibility, with a raised toilet seat and grab rails for support. This toilet must meet safety standards and have extra space around the toilet bowl. Toilet installation may include larger flush mechanisms and wider bathroom floor space for easier access and movement. Example - Eastbrook Northall Rimless Comfort Height Close Coupled Toilet & Soft Close Seat - White.
High-level toilets
A high-level toilet has the toilet cistern mounted high on the wall and connected by a long flush pipe. This traditional toilet style often has a traditional flushing handle or chain and is a lovely feature on older bathroom furniture. Although not as common in modern bathrooms, this style of toilet can be a great feature in modern bathrooms. Example - Nuie Carlton High Level Pan, Cistern & Flush Pipe Kit.
Junior toilets & seats
Junior toilets and toilet seats are smaller in size, perfect for young children who need lower toilet seat heights. These toilet bowl shapes are designed to help with safe and easy toilet training in smaller bathrooms. These toilet styles are a space-saving solution and the right size for growing families. Example - Lecico Low Level 35cm Junior School Toilet Pan.
Low-level toilets
Low-level toilets combine a visible toilet cistern mounted lower on the wall with a shorter flush mechanism pipe. This type of toilet creates a balance between traditional toilets and more modern toilets, depending on installation preferences. It suits contemporary bathrooms that want toilet styles retaining some heritage charm without taking up too much bathroom floor. Example - Hudson Reed Richmond Comfort Height Low Level Pan with Cistern & Flush Pipe Kit.
Rimless toilets
Rimless toilets are modern toilets designed without the traditional rim, making the toilet bowl easier to clean thoroughly. This type of toilet improves hygiene standards by removing areas where liquid waste and solid waste residue may gather. They are often seen in contemporary bathrooms as a space-saving solution with excellent water efficiency and toilet style. Example - Eastbrook Kenley Rimless Back to Wall Toilet & Soft Close Seat - White.
Toilet & basin suites
Toilet and basin combination units are practical space-saving solutions ideal for smaller bathrooms with precious floor space. They combine a toilet pan and a basin above, connecting directly into an existing soil pipe for easy installation. This type of toilet style is often chosen where bathroom furniture must maximise efficiency in contemporary bathrooms. Example - Serene Faro Close Coupled Toilet & Basin and Full Pedestal Set.
Urinals
Urinals are a type of toilet designed for liquid waste only, most often installed in male washroom facilities. These toilet bowl types save water, reduce toilet paper usage, and are commonly mounted along a bathroom floor and wall. Urinals can also serve as a space-saving solution in commercial bathrooms where water efficiency is a priority. Example - Lecico Two Bowl Exposed Urinal Pack.
Wall-hung toilets
Wall-hung toilets are mounted on WC frames, keeping the toilet bowl suspended above the bathroom floor surface. They save precious floor space, making them an excellent space-saving solution for smaller bathrooms with limited bathroom floor space. A concealed cistern hidden behind the wall toilets ensures modern bathrooms have a clean look with efficient flush mechanisms. Example - Kartell Kameo Rimless Wall Hung Toilet & Soft Close Seat - White
WC frames & cisterns
WC frames and concealed cisterns are necessary for supporting wall-hung toilets or back-to-wall toilet installations. They hold the toilet bowl securely, house the flush mechanism, and allow the cistern to remain hidden within bathroom furniture. This ensures a modern toilet style with improved water usage, creating contemporary bathrooms that maximise both function and design. Example - Premier Dual Flush Concealed Cistern with Wall Hung Frame & Shiny Chrome Plate.
What are the different toilet bowl shapes?
There are a variety of shapes available, and choosing the right toilet style depends on space and preference:
• Compact bowls - these are designed to save precious floor space in smaller bathrooms. They often offer short-projection toilets, offering a space-saving solution in contemporary bathrooms and modern toilets
• Corner bowls - are designed for awkward bathroom layouts where standard toilets may not fit effectively. This type of toilet maximises bathroom floor usage and is useful when existing plumbing and soil pipe placement restricts design
• Elongated bowls - feature longer toilet bowl shapes providing comfort and support during use. This type of toilet is often combined with dual flush toilet systems to improve water efficiency and bathroom styles
• Rimless bowls – these toilet bowls have no rim and are easier to clean. These modern toilets for modern bathrooms deliver water efficiency and hygiene benefits and fit all toilet seat shapes
• Round bowls - shorter, for smaller bathrooms with limited floor space. These ideally suit close-coupled toilets or back-to-wall toilets with concealed cisterns
• Square bowls – create a sharp and modern bathroom. These are perfect for modern styles and contemporary bathroom furniture. They are frequently paired with wall-hung toilets or back-to-wall toilets with the cistern hidden
• Traditional bowls - with rounded toilet bowl shapes suit bathroom furniture in period homes or heritage style bathrooms. This type of toilet often uses a high-level toilet cistern with a traditional flushing handle
• Wall-hung bowls - are fixed onto WC frames and suspended above the bathroom floor. They save precious floor space, make cleaning easier, and create contemporary bathroom styles with concealed cistern systems
What toilet is best? A step-by-step guide for how to choose a toilet
Read the following step-by-step guide for selecting and installing a toilet.
1) Measure the space and layout
Measure the available bathroom floor and the distance from the finished wall to the centre of the soil pipe. Check door swing, access and any fixtures that impact floor space. Record the ceiling height if you plan tall cisterns or furniture.
2) Check your plumbing and water system
Identify the existing plumbing type, such as combi boilers, hot water cylinder systems or gravity-fed systems. Note the water pressure and whether a shower pump or built-in pump is present to address low pressure. Verify the location and height of the existing soil pipe for installation compatibility.
3) Decide on the toilet type that suits the room
Consider wall-hung toilets, back-to-wall toilets, close-coupled toilets or corner toilets for tight areas. Short projection toilets and compact or round pans save precious floor space in smaller bathrooms. Choose a style that fits contemporary styles or traditional toilets, depending on the overall design.
4) Consider the toilet bowl shape and seat comfort
Select from elongated, round, or square toilet bowl shapes to match user comfort and seat shapes. Think about toilet seat height and whether a junior toilet or a disabled option is needed. Match the seat profile to the toilet pan to avoid awkward fits.
5) Choose the flush mechanism and focus on water efficiency
Opt for a dual flush toilet to reduce water usage and improve efficiency across full flush and light flush options. Check flush mechanism reliability and maintenance access in concealed cisterns. Consider eco-friendly toilet features if water usage and running costs are priorities.
6) Assess installation style and cistern location
Decide between a close-coupled toilet, back-to-wall with a cistern hidden in furniture, or wall-hung with a WC frame and concealed cistern. Confirm that existing plumbing and soil pipe align with the chosen installation to avoid major modifications. Factor in access panels for service and maintenance.
7) Check for accessibility and user needs
If accessibility is a must, opt for raised height pans, reinforced fixings and larger clearances around the toilet bowl. Consider disabled toilets standards and grab rail positioning for safe use. For family bathrooms, include junior seats or adaptable options.
8) Review hygiene and cleaning features
Rimless toilets reduce where dirt can accumulate and make cleaning faster and more thorough. Look for glazed surfaces and removable toilet seats for better hygiene. Touchless flushing or traditional flushing handles, your choice.
9) Match the style and bathroom furniture
Choose finishes, shapes, and heights that match your basin combination units and surrounding bathroom furniture. Back-to-wall and wall-hung options create a clean line for modern bathrooms. Traditional bowls and high-level toilets suit period properties and heritage styles.
10) Final checks: budget, warranty and installation
Compare total cost including parts, concealed cisterns, and professional toilet installation by a qualified plumber. Check manufacturer warranty, spare parts availability, and recommended aftercare for long-term performance. Take photos and measurements to share with suppliers before purchase.
Conclusion
Exploring the different types of toilets helps you to appreciate bathrooms of various sizes. Choosing the right WC or toilet is about balancing style, comfort, practicality, and efficiency in your bathroom space. Understanding toilet bowl types means you can choose a design that is comfortable and water efficient and easy to clean.
Modern innovations like rimless pans, dual flush cisterns, and compact projections save space and water. Traditional styles are still popular but contemporary options allow households to meet both style and practicality. With so many to choose from, choosing a toilet can be daunting, so we recommend reading our earlier step by step guide.
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What toilet works best for you? Plumbing World can provide all the support you need in choosing the best toilet bowl types and toilet bowl shapes. Please contact our specialists for expert guidance and to view our selection of WC and toilet options.
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