Though frequently used by guests and essential in a family home, downstairs toilets are often a forgotten corner of the floor plan. So, when it comes to designing your bathroom, a well-considered and practical cloakroom should be a top priority.
Since they are usually smaller in size, downstairs toilets require a different level of imagination compared with bathrooms in a self-build or extension. From bold wallpapers to space-saving sanitaryware, there are all kinds of clever tricks to make compact water closets the best they can be.
Below, we’ve collected a range of inspirational ideas, with comments from bathroom and industry experts, as well as interior designers, to help you make the most of every inch of this space.
1. Prioritise storage in a small downstairs toilet
Choosing the right bathroom storage ideas to incorporate into a limited space will be high on the list of things to get right from the off. Too much storage and the room will feel cramped; too little and items like towels and cleaning products will have to go elsewhere.
"Storage is essential in a downstairs bathroom," begins Ann Marie Cousins, founder of AMC Design. "Often these rooms are more compact, so use every nook and cranny available and consider a wall-mounted loo and vanity unit with storage underneath.
"Wall mounted makes the room feel bigger as the eye is drawn to the corners. Make sure you think about what you need to store in there. If it’s only extra loo rolls and smaller items, opt for a small unit – don’t buy larger for the sake of it."
2. Choose the right layout in your downstairs loo
For long and narrow rooms, positioning the sink and toilet along the longest wall is a good idea, as long as there is enough legroom when seated. If not, consider dedicating the very end of the room to the toilet and centralising the sink, as in the above example.
Square layouts are blessed with a few different options. For one, adding built-in units to keep the toilet, sink and vanity unit together is a neat solution (plus, the opposite wall can be used to hang coats and bags).
L-shaped cloakrooms can be tricky to lay out, as you want guests to have room to manoeuvre while still being practical for storing bits and bobs. Freestanding and wall-hung units will help to make the floorspace feel less cramped and, if you're building from scratch, concealing the cistern with a stud wall is a worthwhile plan.
3. Use space-saving sanitaryware in compact cloakrooms
There is a fantastic range of space-saving sinks, vanity units and toilets available, which are designed specifically for smaller water closets. This stunning bathroom has kept the sanitaryware simple, but the decor interesting; the space is both pretty and functional for guests.
As no one will (generally) be brushing their teeth or putting on make-up in this space, feel free to simply install a sink with no worktop. Plus, a narrow design will prevent bumped hips while squeezing past.
“Maximise space by using short projection toilets, corner basins, or integrated toilet-sink combinations to ensure your bathroom is functional whilst also using all the available space," recommends Alex Woods, bathroom expert at Victorian Plumbing.
Shop our space-saving sanitaryware picks
Cleverly designed to slot into the corner, this ceramic basin makes the most of every inch of space.
Echoing Victorian style, this freestanding vanity unit features classic Shaker detailing and a compact design.
This back-to-wall toilet features a soft-close, quick-release lid and an eco-friendly dual flush.
Alex Woods is a bathroom expert at Victorian Plumbing, a major online bathroom and kitchen retailer based in Merseyside, UK.
4. Add some personality to your downstairs toilet with quirky wallpaper
Let a small space make a huge impact by going bigger and bolder with the interior design and modern bathroom ideas.
“Bathrooms, in particular cloakrooms, are the perfect places to be a little bit bolder and braver with your interior design choices," explains Rebecca Drury, co-founder of MissPrint. "Homeowners aren’t scared anymore to make a statement and a vibrant, large-scale or bold dark wallpaper is definitely a great way to do this!"
Note that in this small cloakroom, the built-in toilet and storage unit is finished in a complementary green, giving the entire space a cohesive look.
Our wallpaper shopping picks
Inspired by tropical nights, this striking wallpaper features green palm leaves set against a midnight blue backdrop.
Stripes are going nowhere in 2026, and this wallpaper comes in a pretty ivory and pale beige colourway.
Liven up your downstairs loo with this fun geometric wallpaper that pays homage to 70s style.
5. Make a statement with luxury finishing touches
"Downstairs loos can often be one of the smallest rooms in the house but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a statement in them", explains Abbie Ireland, director at Patrick Ireland Frames. Here, brassware, the mirror, lighting and vanity handles have been carefully matched for a smart, elegant look.
"In my opinion, they are an opportunity to have a bit of fun and play around with patterns and designs that you might not feel bold enough to use anywhere else in the house.
"A statement wallpaper with a beautiful mirror can be all you need, or alternatively, stick to single wall colour and use the wall space for a photo gallery wall using different frame profiles to create more interest."
6. Create a downstairs toilet under the stairs
"It’s pretty simple to create a cloakroom under your stairs. First of all, measure the space and keep it simple with just a toilet and basin," explains UK Bathrooms' Graeme Borchard.
"Think about head room; ceiling heights are different from one house to the next, but plan for your toilet to be placed under the stairs slope and your basin on the tallest wall or even in a corner.
"The next thing to consider is the waste pipe for your toilet. All waste pipes need to be connected to a soil pipe. Chat to a plumber if you’re unsure and at the same time, you can plan the water supply for both your basin and toilet."
7. Play with optical illusions in small downstairs bathrooms
Before you get started, research the best bathroom tile ideas for small bathrooms, as there are endless ways to trick the eye into perceiving a room as larger (or simply add a touch of glamour).
"Tiles can really bring a small space to life, especially in a tiny bathroom," Amanda Telford, marketing manager at CTD Tiles, advises. "Try to be creative with the way you lay your tiles – think focal point splashbacks, interesting layouts etc.
"There are so many ways to use rectangular metro tiles for instance, whether that’s stacking them horizontally, which can make the room appear larger, or creating a herringbone effect for maximum impact (as above).
8. Install a wet room or shower for a practical downstairs toilet
Downstairs wet rooms are a highly practical thing to include in a renovation, extension or self-build. Not only can they be used to future-proof a ground floor layout (for those who might take in a parent later in life), but they're also ideal for families with pets or small children.
The project above is fabulous example of a small shower room idea which uses every inch of the space to create an inviting and functional bathroom.
The stylish shower screen smartly protects the loo from getting splashed (a bugbear for many with wet rooms) while the monochrome period design won't easily go out of style.
9. Place a small cloakroom next to a utility
If you're really short on space, add a compact cloakroom next to the utility and only add a toilet – users can wash their hands at the utility sink, rather than cramming it into one space.
Combining downstairs toilet plans with small utility room ideas can also help you maximise the practicalities of both. For instance, if you lay the waste pipes along one wall for both rooms, you will save costs on plumbing.
This space-savvy house renovation included merging the two areas together to form a unified cloakroom. An old butcher's block was turned into a stand and an antique pail into a sink to save on costs of fitting a bathroom.
10. Go bold with the latest downstairs toilet trends
Homeowners tend to be braver in including the latest bathroom trends into a small downstairs toilet than in larger family bathrooms.
"Coloured sanitaryware is making a comeback," explains interior designer Ann Marie Cousins. "If you’re tempted, think about a bold basin in your downstairs bathroom. Many companies are doing brilliant bright colours now in a range of materials, from porcelain to concrete. You’re not likely to change your sanitaryware often, so make sure to choose wisely!"
While we all remember (and have probably ripped out) turquoise, avocado or pink suites of the past, less garish options are now available and can be mixed-and-matched to tone down the brighter styles.
11. Include practical cloakroom flooring
As with any bathroom flooring, durability and low-maintenance qualities are king:
- Porcelain, ceramic and real stone tiles can be expensive, but when designing such a small space, they easily offset.
- LVT or laminates are cheaper and can be installed on a DIY basis fairly quickly.
- Engineered wood flooring will add some luxury when paired with underfloor heating (also eliminating the need for a towel rail or radiator).
In this understairs loo, the same flooring has been continued into the small room – the result is a space that feels integrated into the rest of the house.
12. Clever lighting can enhance a small downstairs toilet
The key to lighting a small cloakroom isn't in the layering, unlike most other rooms in the house. No, in these compact spaces, choose one bathroom lighting idea to illuminate the space well and to avoid over-cluttering.
A bonus of such a small floorspace is that you will probably only need one or two downlights or one bright pendant, saving money on fixtures and electrician bills.
Remember to check the IP rating before buying any new lights for a bathroom. This stylish design hangs the matt black pendant in line with the mirror so the space receives twice the illumination.
FAQs
Where should a downstairs toilet be placed?
"Downstairs toilets are usually located on outside walls as this will give you easier access to drainage," says Lydia Luxford, Operations Support Manager at Easy Bathrooms.
"For most properties, they are most commonly positioned in areas of wasted space such as an unused cloakroom area or under the stairs, which avoids using up much needed floor space in other rooms of the property.
"If neither of these are suitable for your property, I would highly recommend positioning the toilet room close to an entry/exit of the property and as close to outside drainage – this will reduce the costs of linking the toilet to the draining system."
How much does a new downstairs toilet cost?
When it comes to installing a new downstairs toilet, you can expect to pay somewhere in the region of the following prices, according to Checkatrade and Fixa Trader. Bear in mind, however, that opting for high-end fixtures and finishes can significantly increase these costs.
- Basin: £150
- Toilet: £250
- Vanity unit with basin: Basic models from £100
- Ceramic tiles: £15–30 (per m²)
- Standard porcelain tiles: £30–60 (per m²)
- Natural stone tiles: £60–120 (per m²)
- Labour for tiling the floor: £400–£1,000
- Labour for tiling half-height walls: £800–£1,800
- Labour for installing a downstairs toilet: £1,500
How much value does a downstairs toilet add?
According to Lydia Luxford, a downstairs toilet can increase propety value by up to 5%.
“When planning a new downstairs toilet, homeowners forget that Building Regulations require that any new cloakroom has to have suitable ventilation, such as an extractor fan. Also, it’s very useful if your door opens outwards," concludes Graeme Borchard.
For more inspiration, take a look at these luxury bathroom ideas for a boutique-like feel.
