If you’ve ever tried to renovate a downstairs cloakroom in a typical UK semi, you know that every centimetre is a battle. You want that high-end, "boutique hotel" feel, but you’re working with a space that’s barely wider than a hallway. Usually, the biggest space-hog is the toilet cistern - that bulky plastic or ceramic box that sits behind you, pushing the whole unit further into the room.
In 2026, the secret to winning back your floor space is going cisternless. By switching to a Washloo all-in-one smart toilet, you can reclaim up to 20cm of room projection. In a small cloakroom, that’s the difference between your knees hitting the door and having a bathroom that actually feels airy and modern.
The 20cm Advantage: Where Does the Space Go?
A traditional "close-coupled" toilet (the kind with the tank on the back) typically projects about 700mm to 750mm from the wall. When you add in the plumbing gaps, it eats up a massive chunk of your floor plan.
Washloo cisternless models don't have an external tank. Because they use an internalised pump system to fire the flush, the entire unit is much more compact. Most of our all-in-one units have a projection of around 580-600mm.
- The Result: You gain roughly 15-20cm of "legroom." It doesn't sound like much on paper, but visually, it completely transforms a small square room.
Designing for "Cloakroom Envy"
Reclaiming that 20cm opens up a world of design possibilities that just weren't possible before:
- The "Floating" Floor: Without a bulky base and cistern, you can see more of the floor. This is an old interior design trick: the more floor you can see, the larger the room feels.
- Sleek Shelving: Instead of a cistern taking up the wall space behind the toilet, you can install a recessed "niche" or a minimalist floating shelf for plants and candles, leaning into the 2026 "Soft Minimalism" trend.
- No More Boxing-In: Many people try to hide ugly cisterns by building expensive wooden boxing around them. With a Washloo, the unit is the design. There’s nothing to hide, which saves you even more space and money on joinery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cisternless toilet?
A cisternless (or tankless) toilet connects directly to your water supply line instead of storing water in a tank. When you flush, an internal electric pump or a high-pressure valve releases the water immediately into the bowl. This eliminates the need for a bulky tank and enables a much smaller, more streamlined design.
How can I make my small cloakroom look bigger?
Aside from using a cisternless toilet to save floor space, we recommend using large-format tiles to reduce grout lines and installing a wall-to-wall mirror. In 2026, the trend is "Midimalism" - using warm, neutral tones and tactile textures (like fluted wood) to make a small space feel cosy rather than cramped.
Does a tankless toilet really save space?
Yes, significantly. By removing the 15-20cm depth of a traditional cistern, you reduce the toilet's "projection" into the room. This is especially helpful in narrow UK cloakrooms where the toilet often faces the sink or the door.
The Verdict
If you're tired of your cloakroom feeling like a cupboard, it's time to think small. A cisternless Washloo gives you the tech, the luxury and, most importantly, the space to breathe.
Ready to see how a cisternless unit fits your floor plan? Explore our compact all-in-one range and take the first step toward your ultimate cloakroom goals.