WCs and suites

If you’re looking for advice on how to choose the most appropriate style of toilet for your bathroom or cloakroom, here are a few words of advice.

Visit any bathroom retailer and you’ll soon find that popular toilet designs include close-coupled toilets, wall-hung toilets and back-to-wall toilets.

You can check them all out with the help of our guide to understanding the differences:

Close-coupled
This is what most people’s mental picture of a toilet looks like. Close-coupled WCs are popular, easy to install and usually available in a wide variety of styles from traditional to contemporary. A close-coupled toilet pan sits on the floor with its cistern fixed to the wall above. They are also available in many smaller varieties suitable for cloakrooms and smaller bathrooms.
Back-to-wall
Another style associated with uncluttered, contemporary bathroom design. The back-to-wall toilet has its cistern boxed into the wall or hidden in a cabinet while the pan sits on the floor. This kind of toilet is also available in compact versions that are ideal for smaller bathrooms.
Wall-hung
Associated with modern and minimalist designs, wall-hung toilets are also easy to clean and good for maximising the appearance of space. Wall-hung toilets have a boxed-in cistern with the pan hung from the wall. This means fitting is more of a challenge than with a close-coupled design and will require careful installation, especially when ensuring the fixings are strong enough to take the user’s weight.
High- and low-level
Two slightly more unusual designs – but they can help to expand your design options. High-level toilets are useful for creating an authentic traditionally-styled bathroom. A high-level cistern is joined to the toilet pan with a long water pipe and a traditional pull chain. Low-level toilets are also great for creating a classic-looking bathroom.

For extensive information on choosing the right bathroom suite, we recommend visiting the Bathroom Manufacturers’ Association website here.