A cloakroom is the smallest room in the house and often the one guests see most, so it is worth getting right. The challenge is fitting everything you need into a tight space without it feeling cramped. The good news is that a few smart choices make even the smallest downstairs toilet feel considered and practical.
This guide covers layout, the right compact fittings, storage and finishing touches. If you want to get started, browse our cloakroom basins, close coupled toilets and cloakroom taps. For more compact-space tricks, our small bathroom ideas guide is a useful companion.
Start with the layout
Measure the space and plan where the two essentials, the toilet and basin, will sit before anything else. In most cloakrooms the door opening and the soil pipe position dictate the layout, so work with those rather than against them. Keep the swing of the door clear, and position the basin where it does not block access to the toilet.=
Choose compact fittings
The right fittings are what make a small room work.
- A small basin. A cloakroom basin or corner basin is designed for tight spaces, giving you a functional wash point without eating the floor.
- A space-saving toilet. A close coupled or back to wall toilet tucks neatly against the wall. For the most floor space and a clean look, a wall hung toilet frees up the floor entirely.
- A compact tap. A small cloakroom tap suits the smaller basin and keeps proportions right.
Add storage without crowding
Even a tiny cloakroom benefits from somewhere to hide the essentials. A vanity unit built around the basin conceals pipework and gives you a cupboard in the same footprint, which is the single best way to keep clutter out of sight. A slim mirrored cabinet adds storage and a mirror in one.
Make it feel bigger
A few design tricks make a small room feel far more open.
- A large mirror bounces light and visually doubles the space. See mirrors.
- Good lighting. Bright, well-placed bathroom lighting stops a small room feeling like a cupboard.
- Light colours on walls and floors keep things feeling airy, while a bold feature wall can add character without shrinking the space.
Finish with the details
Because a cloakroom is small, you can afford to be a little more adventurous. A statement tap finish, a nice set of bathroom accessories, and a coordinated look make the room feel designed rather than squeezed in. These small touches are exactly what guests notice.
Design your cloakroom with Empress
We have spent over 40 years helping people make the most of every bathroom space, large or small, and a well-planned cloakroom punches well above its size. If you tell us your dimensions, we will point you to compact fittings that fit and work together.
Browse our cloakroom basins, close coupled toilets and cloakroom taps to start, and remember delivery is free on UK orders over £499.
