Best Toilets for Small Bathrooms to Help You Save Space

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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We're not all lucky enough to have those sprawling, spacious bathrooms, but finding the best toilets for small bathrooms or your powder room can be just as challenging. But don’t you despair! An in-depth review of the best compact toilets for a small space and buying guide with ingenious solutions is just what you need.

A smaller bathroom is exactly where the best small toilets fit the bill. Here we look at the best compact toilets for small bathrooms, ranging from convenient heights to slow-close toilet lid designs that are meant to increase the comfort of the one who's using the toilet. Of course, as you're planning for a toilet upgrade or installation, the first thing you should do is to talk to your local authority and get a building code for the area you live in.

There's standardization in many of these requirements; however, some regions may vary. General guidelines on the minimum space required for composting toilets:

  • A minimum of 30 inches distance from the left to right
  • A minimum of 21 inches distance from front to back, which includes the length of your toilet. However, 24 inches is more preferrable

Other considerations to keep in mind for the best compact toilet include where the door is and how it opens and closes, where the sink is in relation to the toilet, and how large it is. These are the clear zones. Small space configuration with tight corners take real skill and a keen eye.

1. GALBA Small Toilet

GALBA Small Toilet 24.5" Long X 13.5" Wide X 28.5" High...
  • WHITE Color - 12" Rough-in (PLEASE CHECK BEFORE BUYING)
  • One piece design and Self-Cleaning glazed surface would not...
  • Dual Siphonic Flush. 16.5" Comfort Height. cUPC and MaP flush...
  • Slow closing nesting toilet seat (plastic) included
  • IMPORTANT - Check verify rough-in to be at least 12" so this...

Galba ranks high as the best compact toilet. A durable toilet with clean lines and a simple design that works equally well with modern and traditional bathrooms. It comes in one color, white, and has a concealed trapway for both style and hygiene.

At 24.5 inches deep, it gives you an extra half an inch of space, which may not sound like much, but as you're working with a tiny room, every little inch counts. That half-inch could very well be the difference between having your knees jammed or free against your bathroom door.

It is a shallow toilet with a shallow depth that is achieved using a very narrow toilet tank to make sure there’s no compromise on the bowl size. Comparably, it has a more substantial seat and seat cover and is made of UF plastic that is easy to disconnect if you do decide that you prefer something different.

Its Vortex Vormax flushing system produces plenty of power for a power flush to leave your bowl clean, while its dual flushing options help save water. A heavy flush uses 1.6 gallons per flush, while a half flush uses roughly just half of that. In addition, its glazed surface is self-cleaning, won’t stain, fade and is scratch resistant.

There are some things you need to be aware of, though. The major difference between this toilet and the others, however, is its price. Additionally, some users point out instances where the spring mechanism for its flush popped out, which is easy to pop back in, but it's not something you'd expect from such an expensive toilet.

Also, make sure to have at least a 12-inch rough-in space, or this toilet won’t fit. But, overall, it is a pretty great toilet if you’re willing and able to pay its price.

Pros:

  • It is a one-piece design
  • It has a self-cleaning glazed surface that doesn't scratch, discolor, rust, or fade
  • It uses a dual Siphonic flush with a cUPC and MaP flush score of 300
  • It has a height of 16.5" as a Comfort Height toilet and an ADA compliant toilet
  • It has a slow closing seat that is included in the package
  • It is an excellent space saver with a depth of 24.5 inches for a very shallow profile
  • It is highly efficient in its dual flush, which helps save water
  • It uses a Vortex Vormax flushing power that enables it to function efficiently even while using a slimline tank

Cons:

  • Its spring mechanism is prone to popping out
  • You’ll need hefty deep pockets for the Galba toilet
  • It comes with 12-inch rough-ins, so if you get it wrong, you'll not only have to pay for the return fee but also a 10% restocking fee

2. Kohler K-3999-0 Highline Comfort Height Two-piece Elongated 1.28 Gpf Toilet

Sale
Kohler K-3999-0 Highline Comfort Height Two-piece...
  • Comfort height elongated toilet bowl with a seat height...
  • 12 inches rough in. Water sense toilets meet strict EPA flushing...
  • 29 to 1/2 inches (74.9 centimeter) x 18 (45.7 centimeter) x 31 to...
  • Class five(R) provides tremendous bulk waste flushing performance...
  • 3 bolt Installation three pre-installed tank bolts save...

Here's a compact elongated toilet that is as easy as sitting on a standard chair. Unlike other toilets, the Kohler Highline has a comfort height that is meant to improve the toilet experience for people who mostly have mobility issues and the elderly. The toilet seat height is 17 inches.

Kohler two-piece toilets guarantee that leakages and blockages are a thing of the past with the use of their unique canister flush valve that is 1.28 Gpf and packs a punch while cleaning your toilet. In addition, it never wastes water since it uses 20% less water than a 1.6-gallon flush toilet.

The Kohler Santa Rosa has such outstanding features making it one of the best toilets for a small bathroom, saving plenty of space. An elongated bowl that complements its compact build as a narrow bowl toilet seat remains quite comfortable.

Thanks to its quiet close technology, the toilet seat goes down slowly and quietly, with easy installation. Moreover, unlike other compact toilets, the Kohler K-3999-0 can be both assembled and set up in only 2 hours.

Pros:

  • It has a comfort height elongated toilet bowl that makes sitting down and standing up much easier for older adults or people with mobility issues
  • It has a 12 inches rough-in
  • It is a water conservation toilet that meets the strict EPA flushing guidelines, such as using at least 20% less water than the regular 1.6-gallon toilets
  • It has a class five(R) rating that has a tremendous bulk waste flushing performance, and that is best in bowl cleaning
  • It has a 3 bolt installation three pre-installed tank bolts to save on installation time
  • It is comfortable to use
  • It is easy to set install
  • It uses a canister flushing valve

Cons:

  • The 12 inches does not give you much wiggle room to get it wrong
  • Although cheaper than the Galba, the Kohler toilets are still pricey.
  • It has quite a noisy flush

3. HOROW HWMT-8733 Small Toilet

HOROW HWMT-8733 Small Toilet 25" Long x 13.4" Wide x...
  • ⭐【Modern Design】Modern compact one-piece toilet. This...
  • ⭐【Siphon-Flushing】 Highly efficient dual-flush toilet...
  • ⭐【Easily Installed With All-in-one Package】Two big...
  • ⭐【Upgraded Package】The toilet was very well packed and...
  • ⭐【HOROW Suggestion 】Customer orientation is Horow’s...

If you’re looking for something that's a little more stylish, try the Horrow HWMT-8733. This compact toilet is 25 inches deep x 13.4 inches wide x 28.4 inches high and uses a one-piece design that works well for both a traditional and contemporary bathroom. It has a flush system that is operated by a neat chrome button that is on top of its tank.

Its trapway is concealed to leave the toilet clean while its toilet bowl here is elongated to give a comfortable toilet seat while its tank shape and size save on space, shaving around 4 inches off in depth, compared to a standard toilet. The Horrow HWMT-8733 is a dual flush toilet that uses a siphon flush. The full flush uses 1.6 gallons per flush of water, while the half flush uses 1.28 gallons.

It has a quiet flush too and a soft-closing seat to avoid any clattering noises after using the toilet. Its fully glazed bowl stays clean and comes with a 5-year limited warranty against staining or fading. Its installation process is pretty simple and needs a 12-inch rough-in from your wall to the outlet.

You have the option of separately getting a compatible UF seat if you want something sturdier since its toilet seat may be a little too light for some. But, overall, it is a well-designed toilet at an affordable price with great customer service too.

Pros:

  • It is a modern compact one-piece toilet for small spaces
  • It is a highly efficient dual-flush toilet that proactively conserves water by selecting the 0.8 GPF or higher
  • It has two big installation access points on the side
  • It comes with two sizes of a supply line inlet hose
  • During shipping, it is well packed and encased in styrofoam to prevent any damage
  • It is a stylish toilet that works both for classic or contemporary bathrooms
  • It uses a powerful dual flush
  • It has a quiet flush and soft-close seat
  • It is easy to install

Cons:

  • The toilet seat is made of polypropylene
  • You have to make some adjustments to the angle valve before installing

4. WOODBRIDGE B-0050 T-0031/B0500 T-0031 Short Compact One Piece Toilet

WOODBRIDGE B-0050 T-0031/B0500 T-0031 Short Compact...
  • ✅[LUXURIOUS MODERN DESIGN]: Luxurious Modern Design one piece...
  • ✅[EASY TO CLEAN DESIGN]: The skirted trap way creates a sleek...
  • ✅[QUITE & POWERFUL FLUSHING]: Siphon Flushing one piece toilet,...
  • ✅ [ TOP QUALITY SEAT ] High end Soft Closing Toilet Seat with...
  • ✅ [ All-In -ONE PACKAGE ]: Package Includes toilet,...

If the task of reaching into the toilet grooves under toilet seats to clean doesn't sound appealing to you, then you have to consider the Woodbridge T-0031/B0500, a compact toilet with flat, smooth surfaces. It comes in a minimalistic white look that particularly works well in contemporary modern design schemes. Its skirted trapway gives it both a sleek way of covering up and taking the need to clean around the base.

It uses a dual flush for an efficient flushing system that is operated by the use of twin buttons on top of its tank, which have a chrome finish for a sleek, high-end look. Its flushing system is fully glazed, while the dual flush helps conserve water. In addition, it has a 24.5 inches depth that makes it one of the shallowest toilets currently in the market.

It has a soft-closing seat and a stainless steel hinge for sanitization. Its porcelain round bowl comes with a 5-year limited warranty against staining or fading.

Overall, it is a great toilet but doesn't have the easiest installation.

Pros:

  • It has a one-piece luxury modern design
  • Its skirted trap way gives it a sleek look, and that's easy to clean
  • It uses a Siphon flushing and a fully glazed flush system for a super quiet and powerful flush
  • It has a high-end soft closing seat
  • It is one of the shallowest toilets
  • It comes with a pre-installed soft-close seat
  • It uses 1.6 gallons on full flush and 1-gallon on half flush
  • It is made of porcelain

Cons:

  • It has a relatively difficult installation process
  • It's a little wider than others

5. Swiss Madison SM-1T257 Sublime II Compact One Piece Toilet

HOROW HWMT-8733 Small Toilet 25" Long x 13.4" Wide x...
  • ⭐【Modern Design】Modern compact one-piece toilet. This...
  • ⭐【Siphon-Flushing】 Highly efficient dual-flush toilet...
  • ⭐【Easily Installed With All-in-one Package】Two big...
  • ⭐【Upgraded Package】The toilet was very well packed and...
  • ⭐【HOROW Suggestion 】Customer orientation is Horow’s...

The Swiss Madison toilet is a sleek, right compact toilet design that has a comfort height and an elongated bowl and that also meets EPA requirements for water efficiency. It uses a gravity-fed dual flush that uses 0.8 gallons on the light flush function and 1.28 gallons on its full flush.

Despite its dual-flush mechanism that can cause water to run continuously, this toilet flushes pretty well. In addition, it has a compact bowl and a slimline width that makes it stylish yet functional and ideal for tight spaces. 

The only downside is that its seat is made of plastic material that shifts a lot making the seat a bit uncomfortable, but with the right seat, this toilet is not only affordable but great for small bathrooms.

Pros:

  • It has a dual-flush feature with a high-performance gravity of 0.8 / 1.28 gallons per flush (GPF)
  • It has a seamless porcelain one-piece design that is easy to clean
  • It is made of porcelain
  • It has a compact bowl that ensures plenty of room for comfort in small spaces
  • It has a soft closing seat
  • It has a quick-release seat
  • It has a timeless and yet simple design

Cons:

  • The seat is uncomfortable
  • It better suits the European market than the American homes

Factors to Consider When Buying The Best Toilets for Small Bathrooms

 A) Your Space

Yes, you need a compact toilet, but again just how compact do you need it to be? Or maybe you have a shallow room, and you're trying to avoid knees from pressing against the door as you use the washrooms. Alternatively, you may be trying to fit in a toilet alongside your bathtub and probably need a narrow unit so it won’t seem all cramped up.

A compact toilet doesn’t come as one standard-sized toilet. You'll need to measure your floor space to help you decide what toilet will fit. Also consider, marking out the dimensions of the preferred toilet using tape on your floor. This will give a much better idea of how your small toilet will look when it’s finally in place since you don’t want just to save space; you also want it to look good.

B) Work Within Your Budget

Like other items, you want to set a budget that gives you the parameters you ought to work within. Unfortunately, most compact toilets will vary in price, so you can easily get carried away and blow up your money.

C) Conservation

Toilets can vary to a surprising degree in the amount of water they will use to flash. So choose a water-efficient toilet will save you both on your water bills and in saving the environment.

A dual flush system is particularly good because it allows you to use different amounts of water depending on whether you want to dispose of solid waste or a light flush for liquid waste.

D) Style and Functionality

As much as the toilet needs to be functional, the toilet also needs to look good. It's going to be a permanent fitting in your everyday life and something you will have to look at every day. So even toilets should come with good aesthetics and sleek designs.

A traditional small bathroom will do well in a two-piece compact toilet, whereas if you're going more for the modern look, a one-piece toilet will better complement your bathroom. A wall-mounted toilet also suits up-to-date styling too.

Frequently Asked Questions on The Best Toilets for Small Bathrooms

1. Why should I get a comfort height toilet?

A comfort height toilet is raised to make it more comfortable for the user. It is particularly helpful for the elderly and people living with mobility issues. It is much easier to get on and off, thanks to its 17 to 19-inch height.

2. One-piece Vs. two-piece toilet?

Getting a one-piece or two-piece toilet is really up to personal preference. A one-piece compact toilet has a more modern look and has less height but may be slightly wider than the two-piece. On the other hand, a two-piece comes with a greater height but may actually be suited better to narrow spaces.

If you want a more traditional/conventional look in your bathroom space, then you should consider choosing a two-piece toilet and vice versa if you want a more modern look.

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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