Small Bathroom? No Problem! Here Are The Best Compact Toilets

Having a small bathroom doesn't mean you have to sacrifice comfort or style when choosing a new toilet. Manufacturers offer a range of compact toilet designs that can help maximize even the tiniest of spaces. With some creative planning and the right compact toilet, you can design a bathroom that is both functional and beautiful.

When shopping for a toilet for a small bathroom, the most important consideration is rough-in size. This refers to the distance from the wall behind the toilet to the center of the drain pipe. Most standard toilets have a rough-in of 12 inches, but compact toilets can have rough-ins as small as 10 inches or less. Measure your bathroom carefully to determine the rough-in you need.

Wall-Hung Toilets

Wall-hung toilets are a great space-saving option as they mount directly to the wall, eliminating the need for a toilet base. This frees up precious inches of floor space that can make all the difference in a petite bathroom.

Many wall-hung toilets require installation of a hidden carrier frame behind the wall to securely support the toilet. However, some models like the Toto Aquia Wall-Hung Toilet have a built-in carrier system so no in-wall frame is needed. This makes installation easier.

The sleek, modern look of wall-hung toilets also complements contemporary bathroom designs. Top choices like the Duravit Starck 3 Wall-Mounted Toilet come in a range of stylish colors to match your decor.

Considerations for Wall-Hung Toilets

• Require strong walls or additional wall reinforcement
• More difficult installation than floor-mount
• Typically more expensive

Compact Tank Toilets

Another space-saver is to look for toilets with a compact or skinny toilet tank. Standard tanks are usually around 22-24 inches wide, while compact toilet tanks slim down to 16-18 inches wide or less.

The smaller tank size means the overall footprint of the toilet is more compact. American Standard's Cadet 3 toilet has an ultra-narrow tank that protrudes just 17 1/4 inches from the wall while still providing a full-size interior bowl.

You can find compact tank toilets in both one or two-piece configurations. The Kohler Archer features a sleek one-piece design with an elongated bowl and tank that runs only 19 inches wide.

Our Top Compact Tank Toilet Picks

• Toto Aquia II
• American Standard Cadet 3
• Kohler Archer
• Woodbridge B-0960S

Close-Coupled Toilets

Another space-saving design is the close-coupled toilet. This style eliminates the gap between the tank and bowl, attaching them directly together to create a more compact overall footprint.

Close-coupled toilets work especially well when you are limited on space behind the toilet. With no tank in back, the toilet can sit closer to the wall to maximize floor space.

However, the close-coupled design can make accessing the fill valve and flapper for repairs more difficult. Toto's Drake II Close-Coupled Toilet is a top choice that offsets this with a removable tank cover for easy maintenance.

Our Favorite Close-Coupled Toilets

• Toto Drake II
• Kohler Highline
• American Standard Cadet Pro

Corner Toilets

Squeezing a toilet into an awkward corner nook seems impossible - but not with corner toilets! These ingenious space-savers utilize a wedge-shaped tank and bowl designed specifically to tuck right into corners.

Corner toilets come in two main styles. One-piece corner toilets like the Kohler Bardon have seamless bowl-to-tank styling. Two-piece corner toilets allow more flexibility in installation and repairs.

Be sure to double-check rough-in size, as corner toilets may require a non-standard 10-inch or 14-inch rough-in. The American Standard Glenwall Corner Toilet can accommodate rough-ins from 10-14 inches.

Tips for Installing Corner Toilets

• May require drywall work to accommodate non-standard rough-ins
• Measure corner space carefully to get proper fit
• In tight spaces, install tank first then bowl

Dual-Flush Toilets

For water-saving benefits, look for compact toilets with a dual-flush feature. This allows you to select between a full 1.6 gallon flush or reduced 1 gallon flush depending on your needs.

Dual-flush technology can help you conserve water without sacrificing performance. The Toto Drake II Close-Coupled Toilet combines a space-saving close-coupled design with efficient dual flushing.

For even greater water savings, WaterSense toilets use 20% less water than standard 1.6 gallon models while still flushing efficiently. Choose an eco-friendly compact toilet to save water without compromising comfort.

Our Top Dual Flush Compact Toilet Picks

• Toto Drake II
• KOHLER Highline Classic
• American Standard Cadet 3

Toilet Height and Comfort

While a compact toilet can save space, you don't want to sacrifice comfort. Standard toilet bowl height is around 15 inches, but taller comfort height models measuring 16-17 inches high are much easier to sit on and stand up from.

Many modern compact toilets like the Toto Aquia II offer chair-height seating for improved comfort while still fitting in small bathrooms. If you have mobility concerns, a comfort height compact toilet is highly recommended.

Recommended Comfort Height Compact Toilets

• Toto Aquia II
• Kohler Archer
• American Standard Cadet 3

Other Space-Saving Features

Some other conveniences to look for in petite toilets include slow-close seats that prevent loud slamming, quick-release seats for easy cleaning access, antimicrobial glazed surfaces that inhibit bacteria growth and keep the bowl clean, and sleek, skirted trapways that smoothly integrate into compact footprints.

Tankless toilets are also growing in popularity for tiny bathrooms, removing the tank entirely for even more space savings. The compact bowl contains all flushing mechanics inside.

Style and Design Choices for Small Bathrooms

Just because it's compact doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style! From modern curved silhouettes to classic lines, compact toilets are available in a range of styles to match your bathroom decor. Bold colors and patterns can make the toilet a fashionable focal point.

Small bathrooms benefit from a seamless look. Choose a compact toilet with clean lines, concealed trapway, and matching seat and supply lines for a sleek, unified aesthetic.

Strategicchoices in colors, finishes, patterns and lighting can lend the illusion of a more expansive space. Darker colors, matte finishes, and vertical designs help elevate ceilings. Radiant light, like recessed lighting near the toilet, also helps open up a petite bath.

You can have both comfort and functionality, even in the smallest bathroom. Focus on rough-in size and look for space-saving features like a compact tank, wall-hung design, or corner configuration. Include a comfort height seat and water-saving dual flush if possible.

Beautiful, compact toilets are available to match any style from modern to classic. With smart shopping and creative layout, you can design a small bathroom that looks and functions beautifully.