Just Where Do You Put the Toilet?
Planning the location of your loo is one of the toughest conundrums when renovating a bathroom. Here are some things to consider
Renovating a bathroom is one big jigsaw puzzle. Not only do you need to track down the right tiles, the perfect vanity, your ideal showerhead and the freestanding bath you’ve been dreaming about forever, but you also have to balance these things with the biggest issue of all: the layout. Because if the layout isn’t right, then it will affect everything else and make subsequent mistakes look like massive disasters.
The positioning of your toilet should be a top priority when figuring out your bathroom’s layout. It needs to be carefully considered and planned with finesse. Otherwise, you risk your loo being shoved into a too-small space and every time you use it, it becomes an unsightly reminder your layout was a bit of a dud.
So to avoid this disappointment, it should be one of the first things to ponder in the blueprint stages of your renovation. After all, it’s not just a toilet. It’s a beacon of water-saving technology and sleek design, not to mention a fine example of expert craftsmanship. The right positioning and choice can elevate your bathroom to this-looks-like-it-belongs-in-a-hotel status, while the opposite could send your so-called design prowess gurgling down the drain.
These are some pointers to guide you…
The positioning of your toilet should be a top priority when figuring out your bathroom’s layout. It needs to be carefully considered and planned with finesse. Otherwise, you risk your loo being shoved into a too-small space and every time you use it, it becomes an unsightly reminder your layout was a bit of a dud.
So to avoid this disappointment, it should be one of the first things to ponder in the blueprint stages of your renovation. After all, it’s not just a toilet. It’s a beacon of water-saving technology and sleek design, not to mention a fine example of expert craftsmanship. The right positioning and choice can elevate your bathroom to this-looks-like-it-belongs-in-a-hotel status, while the opposite could send your so-called design prowess gurgling down the drain.
These are some pointers to guide you…
Another reason why it’s important to map out your shower is what we can refer to as the ‘spray effect’. Barrier-free or semi-open showers are big business right now, but you need to think about measures to stop the rest of the bathroom (and particularly the toilet) being covered in droplets that have flown in all directions.
Once you have the dimensions of your shower on paper, you can work out where a practical place for the toilet might be so it won’t become covered in water.
This bathroom is a great example. It has been designed so the glass screen closest to the toilet runs alongside where a person would sit. Notice how the screen extends way beyond the length of the toilet and its highest point is also closest to the toilet? Great ‘spray effect’ protection.
Once you have the dimensions of your shower on paper, you can work out where a practical place for the toilet might be so it won’t become covered in water.
This bathroom is a great example. It has been designed so the glass screen closest to the toilet runs alongside where a person would sit. Notice how the screen extends way beyond the length of the toilet and its highest point is also closest to the toilet? Great ‘spray effect’ protection.
Analyse existing features you want to keep
Pre-existing features you want to keep in your new bathroom can dictate your style of toilet and also its positioning. A common example here is an already-installed baseboard you’ve fallen in love with.
This could cause you to run into some placement issues if you’re intent on installing a super modern-looking wall-facing toilet such as the one pictured below. This design is sleek and sits flat against the wall, concealing all pipework. However, what happens if you’re also in love with the previously-installed baseboard?
Pre-existing features you want to keep in your new bathroom can dictate your style of toilet and also its positioning. A common example here is an already-installed baseboard you’ve fallen in love with.
This could cause you to run into some placement issues if you’re intent on installing a super modern-looking wall-facing toilet such as the one pictured below. This design is sleek and sits flat against the wall, concealing all pipework. However, what happens if you’re also in love with the previously-installed baseboard?
In this instance, thick baseboard would prevent your chosen design from sitting, ahem, flush on the wall.
There are two workable solutions.
1. Play around with alternative positioning of the toilet so you don’t lose the beautiful baseboard effect.
2. Or, you could change the design of your toilet to a style that doesn’t sit flat against the wall (take your cue from this bathroom pictured).
Granted, you could have a baseboard going around your toilet, but this would mean a fiddly removal and reattaching it in segments. No thank you.
1. Play around with alternative positioning of the toilet so you don’t lose the beautiful baseboard effect.
2. Or, you could change the design of your toilet to a style that doesn’t sit flat against the wall (take your cue from this bathroom pictured).
Granted, you could have a baseboard going around your toilet, but this would mean a fiddly removal and reattaching it in segments. No thank you.
Take space into account
When choosing the location of your loo, you need to take balance into consideration, too.
For instance, in the case where you have less space to play with than first thought and you’re worried a tall toilet is going to look clunky. A concealed cistern (such as the one pictured) is just made for scenarios like yours. If in doubt, explore your options.
When choosing the location of your loo, you need to take balance into consideration, too.
For instance, in the case where you have less space to play with than first thought and you’re worried a tall toilet is going to look clunky. A concealed cistern (such as the one pictured) is just made for scenarios like yours. If in doubt, explore your options.
On the flip-side, take a look at this bathroom where space is a lot more generous. Just imagine how awkward a concealed cistern would look in this set-up. Instead, a larger, traditional toilet suits the room perfectly and the wooden lid ties the entire look together.
Double-check all dimensions
This one may sound like a given, but overlooking the essentials can happen when you’re in a stressful renovating situation.
Say you have a rough idea for your toilet’s position (and a style in mind, too). Now you need to consult your plumber on whether it or not it can be done. For example, most new homes have a ‘set-out’ distance of 140-165mm (the distance from the wall to the centre of the waste outlet). However, they can sometimes be more than 200mm or fewer than 100mm, which could hamper your plans. You need a professional thumbs-up on things like this before you go further.
This one may sound like a given, but overlooking the essentials can happen when you’re in a stressful renovating situation.
Say you have a rough idea for your toilet’s position (and a style in mind, too). Now you need to consult your plumber on whether it or not it can be done. For example, most new homes have a ‘set-out’ distance of 140-165mm (the distance from the wall to the centre of the waste outlet). However, they can sometimes be more than 200mm or fewer than 100mm, which could hamper your plans. You need a professional thumbs-up on things like this before you go further.
Seek out any hidden issues
If you are planning on installing a hidden cistern, you also need to know an access panel is required for any emergency repairs. In this image, the hidden cistern has been built into the wall behind it. The access panel would presumably be reachable through the top of the recess shelving or from the other side of the wall.
If you are planning on installing a hidden cistern, you also need to know an access panel is required for any emergency repairs. In this image, the hidden cistern has been built into the wall behind it. The access panel would presumably be reachable through the top of the recess shelving or from the other side of the wall.
Take the needs of family members into account
Remember, it’s not just about how many people are going to be using the bathroom. For instance, do you have five young children and, therefore, need a lower-lying toilet that’s close to a wall in order for them to reach the roll easily? Not to mention for added balance.
Seemingly minor things like this all need to be considered.
Remember, it’s not just about how many people are going to be using the bathroom. For instance, do you have five young children and, therefore, need a lower-lying toilet that’s close to a wall in order for them to reach the roll easily? Not to mention for added balance.
Seemingly minor things like this all need to be considered.
Alternatively, is there a possibility your elderly mother might live with you in a few years? If so, will you need to install rails in due course? This would be hard to do if your toilet was not located near any side walls.
Think about the view
Finally, it’s very easy for your mindset to get stuck inside the physical parameters of your new bathroom. But, you also need to consider how it will look from the outside. For example, how will it look as you’re walking down the hallway towards it when the door is left wide open?
The toilet is not the most attractive of amenities, so it makes no sense for it to be positioned smack bang in the centre of a space where one’s eye line is immediately drawn.
Instead, consider other features you may want to show off. Take this bathtub and chandelier, for instance. See how your eye line is drawn to that area of the room? Meanwhile, the toilet sits unnoticed on the far right.
Finally, it’s very easy for your mindset to get stuck inside the physical parameters of your new bathroom. But, you also need to consider how it will look from the outside. For example, how will it look as you’re walking down the hallway towards it when the door is left wide open?
The toilet is not the most attractive of amenities, so it makes no sense for it to be positioned smack bang in the centre of a space where one’s eye line is immediately drawn.
Instead, consider other features you may want to show off. Take this bathtub and chandelier, for instance. See how your eye line is drawn to that area of the room? Meanwhile, the toilet sits unnoticed on the far right.
Likewise, this tiled partition with cascading sunlight creates a waterfall-effect you can’t help but admire. The owner has designed this as a special feature that provides a beautiful backdrop for this equally attractive tub. The toilet, however, is almost completely obscured and tastefully tucked around the corner.
TELL US
Did you encounter any toilet location issues when renovating your bathroom? We’d love to know how you solved the problem in the comments section below.
MORE
Here’s Looking at Loo: Showing Off Your Toilet
Toilet Humour: Funny Bathroom Design Ideas
Where Do You Store the Extra Loo Paper?
12 Decorating Tricks to Make Small Bathrooms Work Harder
TELL US
Did you encounter any toilet location issues when renovating your bathroom? We’d love to know how you solved the problem in the comments section below.
MORE
Here’s Looking at Loo: Showing Off Your Toilet
Toilet Humour: Funny Bathroom Design Ideas
Where Do You Store the Extra Loo Paper?
12 Decorating Tricks to Make Small Bathrooms Work Harder
Ok, so we mentioned above that the planning of your toilet is important, but the positioning of your shower gets first priority.
The biggest blunder here is forgetting about the reach of shower doors when they swing open. There is nothing worse than having a toilet sitting so close to the shower the door makes contact. In this bathroom pictured, the owner has carefully considered the space needed in the middle of the bathroom to accommodate the glass shower door. You’ll notice the toilet is tucked conveniently around the corner.
BONUS TIP: If you are planning on having an enclosed shower, mark out the dimensions on your gutted bathroom floor. Then, use a piece of string and a pencil to draw an arc to represent the door swing. This might help you visualise the practicalities a bit more easily.