One of the key decisions in any bathroom renovation is choosing a toilet.
Toilets come in many sizes and styles. Each offers different flush mechanisms, mounting styles, water usage and cleaning access.
Given that a toilet is one of the most used features in any home or commercial setting, choosing the right toilet is important. That’s because the decision can impact long-term running costs, hygiene standards and overall durability.
In commercial washrooms, which are subject to heavy footfall and stricter hygiene expectations, the stakes are even higher.
Below, we break down the main types of toilets available in the UK.
For choosing toilets designed for the commercial sector such as schools, hotels, leisure centres and airports, we’ve also included specialist advice tailored towards the needs of heavy footfall environments.
Close Coupled Toilets
Close coupled toilets are the most common type found in the UK, in both domestic and commercial settings. The cistern sits directly on top of the pan, connected by a short outlet, which makes the unit simple to install and service.
For commercial washrooms, close coupled toilets tend to suit lower footfall areas such as staff washrooms or small offices, where straightforward maintenance matters more than a fully seamless finish.They are widely available, affordable to replace and easy for facilities teams to source parts for.
Wall Hung Toilets
Wall hung toilets are fixed to the wall with the cistern concealed behind it, usually within a stud wall or duct system. The pan is suspended above the floor rather than resting on it.
This style has become the standard specification for commercial and public washrooms, and for good reason. With no pedestal or base touching the floor, cleaning underneath and around the toilet is far quicker, which supports higher hygiene standards in washrooms used by large numbers of people throughout the day.
Wall hung toilets also allow the installation height to be adjusted, making them a practical choice for accessible washrooms and school settings where different user heights need to be accommodated.
The trade-off is a more involved installation, since the cistern and supporting frame need to be built into the wall. This is typically factored into a full refurbishment rather than a like-for-like swap.
Back to Wall Toilets
Back to wall toilets sit between close coupled and wall hung models. The pan rests on the floor as with a close coupled toilet, but the cistern is concealed within a wall or furniture unit, leaving only the pan and flush plate visible.
This gives commercial washrooms a cleaner appearance without the full installation work that a wall hung system requires. Back to wall toilets are a common choice for refurbishment projects where a more contemporary finish is wanted but ceiling or wall space for a full concealed cistern frame is limited.
Low Level and High Level Toilets
Low level and high level toilets are largely a heritage or design choice now rather than a common commercial specification. The cistern sits either just above the pan (low level) or high on the wall with a long flush pipe (high level), a style associated with older or period buildings.
These are occasionally specified in commercial settings where a building's character needs to be preserved, such as listed premises or heritage hospitality venues, but they are not typically recommended for high-traffic modern washrooms due to more limited flush efficiency and harder access for maintenance.
Pressure Assisted Toilets
Pressure assisted toilets use compressed air within the cistern to force water into the bowl with greater force than gravity alone. This gives a more powerful flush that clears waste in a single action, reducing the likelihood of blockages and double flushing.
They are worth considering for washrooms with consistently heavy use, such as transport hubs, stadiums, or venues hosting large events, where flush performance under sustained demand is a priority. The stronger flush can be noisier than a standard gravity system, which is a factor to weigh against the performance benefit.
Smart Toilets
Smart toilets combine several electronic features in a single unit, typically an integrated bidet wash function, heated seat, automatic lid operation and a self-cleaning nozzle.
Some models also include warm air drying, built-in deodorising filters and app-based controls for adjusting settings.
In commercial settings, smart toilets are most often specified for hospitality venues and executive washrooms, where guest or visitor experience is a priority, and in healthcare settings where hands-free operation supports hygiene requirements.
They are less commonly specified for high-footfall washrooms such as schools, offices or transport hubs, where the added cost, maintenance and power requirements make a standard sensor flush or dual flush system a more practical fit.
Accessible and Ambulant Toilets
Accessible toilets, sometimes referred to as Document M compliant toilets, are designed to meet specific height, clearance and grab rail requirements set out in UK Building Regulations. Pan height, the position of grab rails, and the space around the toilet all need to meet defined measurements to support users with mobility needs.
Ambulant toilets are a related but distinct category, designed for users who can walk but may need additional support, such as grab rails and a slightly raised pan, within a standard-sized cubicle. Commercial washrooms with public access are generally required to provide at least one accessible toilet and, depending on the building, ambulant-compliant cubicles as well.
Psst: View the above social media post about our Document M compliant toilets over on our Instagram.
Choosing the Right Toilet for a Commercial Washroom
The right toilet type depends on footfall, the building's existing plumbing, hygiene requirements and any compliance obligations tied to the sector, whether that's a school, hospital, office or hospitality venue.
Getting the specification right at the planning stage avoids costly changes further into a refurbishment project, particularly where concealed cisterns or wall reinforcement are involved.
Planning a commercial washroom renovation? Inspired Washrooms works with schools, hospitals, offices and hospitality venues across the UK to specify and install the right toilet systems for the space, from initial survey through to completed refurbishment.
To find out more about our commercial bathroom renovations or get a free quote, please send us a message.
You can also give us a call on 0115 671 3850.