Practical under stairs space can be difficult to pin down, whether that’s a reading nook, storage cubby or a certain bedroom under the stairs. But with bathrooms, this can be especially tricky. Getting your small understairs toilet measurements perfect commands careful planning and a creative envisioning of the space.
That’s why we’ve pulled together this in-depth sizing and design guide, so you can plan a functional space that makes for a more accessible facility toilet whilst being a stylish addition for larger households.
Leave the leg work to us as we talk you through the minimum space you can leave for your understairs toilet and the key elements you should consider before making any purchases.
Contents:
- How small can a cloakroom be?
- Is there a minimum space for an under stairs toilet?
- How small can a downstairs toilet be?
- Under stairs toilet layout and dimensions to maximise space
- Downstairs toilet dimensions and placement
- Bathroom sink dimensions and placement
- Conclusion
Small understairs toilet measurements: How small can a cloakroom be?
A good place to start is working out how small you can go. Get this right and it will leave you the flexibility to tailor the space to your needs and make the most of the room available.
When it comes to the general dimensions of a cloakroom or your understairs cupboard, it isn’t recommended you go any smaller than 70cm wide by 1.3m long.
Even so, when considering your measurements for your small understairs toilet, remember that 80cm by 1.4m at the very least will be far more comfortable for you and your guests.
Is there a minimum space for an under stairs toilet?
The short answer to this question is ‘no’, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other things to bear in mind. For instance, you will need to work out how much space to leave for your furnishings and storage space. (More on this later).
Then, how small can a downstairs toilet be?
While there are no rules and regulations set in stone, bathroom design experts tend to advise not to convert your under stairs cupboard into a bathroom into a toilet if you don’t have a space that is at least 80cm wide by 140cm long. Anything under this, will be a tight squeeze.
You may also want to consider height. It is generally recommended that the tallest wall should measure a minimum of 215cm in height. By placing the toilet along the shortest wall – in other words, the slope of the stairs – you may even be able to maximise more of the usable space, just be mindful of headroom for when people stand up!
Understairs loo layout and dimensions to maximise space
We’ve taken a sweeping look at how small a downstairs toilet can be, but now let’s dip into the specifics so you know how and where to place your bathroom furniture, exploiting every centimetre effectively.
What’s the best layout for a downstairs WC?
Also known as a powder room, half-bath or utility bathroom, an under stairs bathroom will usually occupy tiny spaces and typically feature two of the four main bathroom fixtures – primarily a toilet and sink.
The ideal layout to accommodate the small understairs toilet measurements we’ve covered so far has to be one of the following three layouts:
Linear
The sink and toilet sit against opposing walls with clearance in between for the entryway.
Single wall
The sink and toilet sit against the same wall next to one another. You could also opt for a two-in-one fixture that places the sink over the toilet cistern.
Split plan
The sink and toilet sit against adjacent walls along an L-shaped line.
Minimum clearance, centre line and sizing
A common topic to crop up early on in bathroom planning is the matter of clearance, placement and sizing. Often in local building codes you won’t get much insight into toilets, sinks and showers and their minimum clearance isn’t often up to scratch for everyday use in the real world.
Downstairs toilet dimensions and placement
What is the standard toilet size?
As you might expect there is no standard toilet size, but in the absence of this you should aim for at least 75cm in width for comfort.
What’s the minimum space for a toilet?
The minimum recommendation for clearance is 53cm from the front, but we’d suggest increasing this to around 60cm for ease of access. And you may want to leave even greater space for wheelchair users.
From the side, the minimum clearance you should give to make space between other fixtures is 38cm, but 45cm is recommended. If you can, aim to place the toilet opposite an empty wall or door as this will give a roomier feel you and your guests will appreciate.
What about concealed toilet cisterns?
The canny home designers among us might be thinking: “what about toilets with hidden or wall-mounted cisterns?”
A typical cistern set-up will be positioned at the rear of the toilet bowl up against the wall allowing you to place the fixture right against the wall. Opt for a toilet with a cistern you can position high up the wall and you save further inches. There are even some retailers that sell two-in-one wash basins and toilets, simplifying your planning even further and ideal for the tiniest of spaces.
Bathroom sink dimensions and placement
In such a small bathroom, a pedestal or wall-mounted sink makes the most sense. And you can win back inches by placing them with care.
Is there a standard sink size?
As with your toilet, there is no standard size for a bathroom sink. Although you will typically see them between 45cm to 50cm in width.
What’s the minimum space for a sink?
Lee Wallender from The Spruce recommends placing a bathroom sink 50cm from the back wall and 38cm at an absolute minimum. This will leave enough room for people to pass through the room.
You will also need to account for front obstruction. This means leaving a minimum of 53cm from the furthest edge of the sink to the leading edge of the obstruction, whether it be another fixture or a swinging door. For extra comfort, we suggest increasing this to 75cm.
If you opt for a counter sink or vanity, you may be more pressed for space so make sure to measure very carefully.
Leaving room for accessories
Just because you’re using the minimum space for your under stairs toilet, doesn’t mean you have to compromise on decoration. Strategically place mirrors to create the illusion of light and space, opt for small accessories and use don’t forget to use corner space for extra storage. Here, it’s a good idea to take note of storage ideas for cramped spaces – hall furniture, especially consoles and tables, might come in handy for keeping cleaning products, toilet paper and other bits and pieces out of sight.
Even something as simple as wallpapering a single wall with an interesting pattern can fool the eye into thinking there is more space, plus it looks stunning too!
Stuck for ideas? Don’t worry – we’ve written a comprehensive guide to decking out your small understairs toilet with tasteful décor for you to glean inspiration from.
Discover your perfect fit
We’ve covered a lot of ground here, but we hope that these golden rules and dimensions will give you a head start with your bathroom planning. And getting your small understairs toilet measurements spot on is where it all begins.
Whichever style your heart is set on, make sure to opt for ergonomic bathroom furniture that will allow the space to reach its full potential.
