7 downstairs toilet ideas to maximise space

Creating the cloakroom toilet of your dreams is possible in even the smallest room. With the right planning and some clever design choices, you can transform your downstairs bathroom from a glorified storage cupboard into a relaxing retreat.

Here are six cloakroom bathroom ideas to help you make the most of your space:

1. Use the corners

One trick to maximising your downstairs toilet is to use the corners of the room. These often go unused and serve as wasted floor space, but there are a few ways to make these parts of the room work for you.

In smaller spaces, every inch counts. This is where corner toilets and basins are great, because they slot directly into these areas, opening up the rest of the room. This can give the bathroom a more spacious feel, meaning you're not tripping over yourself because of a poor layout. Plus, corner cabinets can also provide extra storage, which is a great way to maximise space in smaller bathrooms.

2. Opt for compact furniture

Choosing compact furniture is a game-changer when creating a cloakroom bathroom that feels and looks spacious. If you're working with a limited floor plan, choosing wall-mounted units and smaller cloakroom basin designs helps you get the most out of any available space while still having everything you need.

Brian shares, "In a small bathroom, less is more. Look for slimline furniture, like cloakroom basins and upright storage to free up floor space, and – if you're opting for a bath or shower – choose a smaller model like a corner bath or corner-entry shower enclosure. These are great for tucking away in unused spaces." 

These options not only save on space but also create a clean, modern look that opens up the room and makes it feel bigger. Wall-hung basins and cabinets are especially useful because they free up more floor space, giving you extra room for more storage or simply helping to give the illusion of a bigger room.

3. Choose space-saving radiators

Heating is essential in every bathroom. There's nothing worse than going to use the toilet in the middle of winter without a working radiator. But larger horizontal radiators can jut out into the room and take up valuable space, running the risk of an awkward layout that leaves you bumping into furniture or side-stepping around the toilet. Instead, opt for slimline, vertical radiators that not only keep your cloakroom toasty but also maximise your available floor space.

Brian explains, "A vertical panel radiator is a great choice as it has a slim profile, uses less floor space and still provides plenty of heat."

4. Fit a short-projection toilet

Short-projection toilets are a fantastic choice for cloakroom bathrooms. With a reduced depth of typically 20–30% compared to standard models (often 600mm or less), they take up less space by projecting less from the wall. This makes them an excellent fit for smaller rooms, freeing up more floor space.

They sit neatly against the wall, meaning you'll have more room to move around without feeling cramped. Opt for a back-to-wall or wall-hung design, and you can maximise your room's potential by keeping the toilet well out of the way.

5. Utilise multi-use furniture

If you're looking for a simple but effective way to maximise your bathroom layout when space is tight, multi-use furniture is your best friend.

Multi-purpose furniture, like a toilet and basin unit, is a fantastic option to combine two essential components of a cloakroom bathroom. These integrate a standard toilet and a compact sink into a single item of furniture, saving you the hassle and space requirements of fitting two separate pieces.

Also look for units like mirrored cabinets that offer hidden storage for toiletries and cleaning products – keeping everything out of sight but within easy reach.

6. Go vertical

Smart storage is vital when you're trying to create a more spacious cloakroom bathroom. With such limited space available, every inch counts, and finding clever storage solutions can help keep your bathroom looking tidy.

Brian says: "Wall-mounted cabinets are a great option in small cloakrooms. By going vertical, you're using the walls for storage rather than taking up floor space, which makes the room feel more open and organised.”

Fitting floating shelves or using a slimline cabinet with a narrower depth that won't crowd the room can also help you maximise your storage. The more you keep off the floor, the bigger your cloakroom will feel!

7. Use the correct door

One thing that can make a difference to the spaciousness of your cloakroom is your choice of door. It’s important to make sure that your door doesn’t impede on the space, as this can make the room feel smaller.

Go for a door that opens outwards, rather than into the bathroom, so that it doesn’t obstruct anything in the room.

A sliding door is a good option in a really small cloakroom because it doesn’t swing at all, so you don’t lose any floor space to the arc of an opening door. Instead, it neatly slides along the wall or into a pocket cavity, which means you can make full use of every inch inside the room.