13 Clever Tips to Make the Most of a Cloakroom
Compact fixtures and ingenious design tips can transform the smallest of spaces into something truly spectacular
Chances are your cloakroom is the smallest room in your house, but that doesn’t mean it requires any less planning. In fact, in a space where every inch counts, you’ll need to think carefully about your choice of sanitaryware and how to squeeze in some sort of storage, as well as how to heat and light the space. This, and so much more, is covered here in our guide to maximising the look and functionality of your cloakroom.
Professional advice from: Milena Cox of Catalano; Keira Townsend of Keir Townsend; Michael Linsky of Sensio; Thomas Griem of TG Studio; Steve Birch of Vogue
Professional advice from: Milena Cox of Catalano; Keira Townsend of Keir Townsend; Michael Linsky of Sensio; Thomas Griem of TG Studio; Steve Birch of Vogue
Slip a cloakroom under the stairs
Space is often limited, so the usual aim is for the cloakroom to take up as little room as possible. Utilising unused space under the staircase is one of the most popular ways to make room for a small cloakroom. ‘It is important to make sure that the space is still comfortable and convenient, leaving sufficient room to manoeuvre, and space for plumbing installation,’ advises Cox. ‘Ideally, you need enough headroom which is comfortable and realistic for your family and guests to use.’
Check out ideas for installing a bathroom in your loft
Space is often limited, so the usual aim is for the cloakroom to take up as little room as possible. Utilising unused space under the staircase is one of the most popular ways to make room for a small cloakroom. ‘It is important to make sure that the space is still comfortable and convenient, leaving sufficient room to manoeuvre, and space for plumbing installation,’ advises Cox. ‘Ideally, you need enough headroom which is comfortable and realistic for your family and guests to use.’
Check out ideas for installing a bathroom in your loft
More ways to make space for a cloakroom
‘At clients’ request, we’ve sub-divided larger bathrooms to form a separate cloakroom from the bath-shower room,’ recalls Keira Townsend of Keir Townsend. ‘Basement conversions are also very popular, but to install a cloakroom at a lower height than the mains drainage presents plumbing challenges.’
Alternatively, it is possible to take some space away from the kitchen or living room. ‘But this is only advisable if you are able to do so without compromising on space,’ warns Cox. ‘If you are planning an extension, this becomes the ideal situation to create a cloakroom.’
‘At clients’ request, we’ve sub-divided larger bathrooms to form a separate cloakroom from the bath-shower room,’ recalls Keira Townsend of Keir Townsend. ‘Basement conversions are also very popular, but to install a cloakroom at a lower height than the mains drainage presents plumbing challenges.’
Alternatively, it is possible to take some space away from the kitchen or living room. ‘But this is only advisable if you are able to do so without compromising on space,’ warns Cox. ‘If you are planning an extension, this becomes the ideal situation to create a cloakroom.’
Location, location, location
To make installation as easy as possible, it is best to position your cloakroom near to existing plumbing, for example, close to a kitchen or directly below an upstairs bathroom. ‘This means that the amenities can be shared while also minimising the cost of plumbing and installation,’ explains Cox. ‘The distance of the toilet to the soil stack also needs to be considered as part of building regulations.’
To make installation as easy as possible, it is best to position your cloakroom near to existing plumbing, for example, close to a kitchen or directly below an upstairs bathroom. ‘This means that the amenities can be shared while also minimising the cost of plumbing and installation,’ explains Cox. ‘The distance of the toilet to the soil stack also needs to be considered as part of building regulations.’
What if plumbing is not accessible?
If plumbing is not available, there is the option to fit a macerator toilet, such as those by Saniflo. ‘We would avoid these if at all possible,’ says Townsend. ‘They require regular servicing to avoid breakdown and they generate motor noise with the flush, which can disturb others sleeping in the property.’
Make sense of bathroom planning terminology
If plumbing is not available, there is the option to fit a macerator toilet, such as those by Saniflo. ‘We would avoid these if at all possible,’ says Townsend. ‘They require regular servicing to avoid breakdown and they generate motor noise with the flush, which can disturb others sleeping in the property.’
Make sense of bathroom planning terminology
A breath of fresh air
Extraction provides a means of clearing the air of unwanted smells. If you have no bathroom window, extractors are required under Building Control, which will be highlighted at any inspection, such as when the property is for sale.
‘Extraction can be a simple ceiling fan unit linked to a flexible tube dispelling air through a vent on an external wall. Or it can be an inline system, which is a fan located at a midpoint in the flexible tube, rather than in the ceiling,’ explains Keira. ‘This is used when a ceiling fan would be deemed to be hazardous, such as in a shower cubicle, due to the proximity to water.
‘Alternatively, extraction could be a centralised system if you are building more than one bathroom/cloakroom at the same time, whereby a number of bathrooms can be ventilated by the same fan remotely located in, say, a roof void. The advantages of this are that there is no noise from ceiling fans in the cloakroom itself.’
Extraction provides a means of clearing the air of unwanted smells. If you have no bathroom window, extractors are required under Building Control, which will be highlighted at any inspection, such as when the property is for sale.
‘Extraction can be a simple ceiling fan unit linked to a flexible tube dispelling air through a vent on an external wall. Or it can be an inline system, which is a fan located at a midpoint in the flexible tube, rather than in the ceiling,’ explains Keira. ‘This is used when a ceiling fan would be deemed to be hazardous, such as in a shower cubicle, due to the proximity to water.
‘Alternatively, extraction could be a centralised system if you are building more than one bathroom/cloakroom at the same time, whereby a number of bathrooms can be ventilated by the same fan remotely located in, say, a roof void. The advantages of this are that there is no noise from ceiling fans in the cloakroom itself.’
Space savers
When you create a cloakroom, the space is often limited and every inch counts. ‘We often use short projection WCs, which are 20cm shorter than the standard size but work perfectly well in this space,’ explains Thomas Griem of TG Studio. ‘Selecting a small sink that remains practicably useable is important. And although there is little storage required of a cloakroom, we allow for a niche above the toilet as a minimum.’
If installing a cloakroom into a narrow and awkward space, think about installing a sliding door to free up space in the corridor or in the cloakroom itself - this will make the room feel much bigger than it is.
When you create a cloakroom, the space is often limited and every inch counts. ‘We often use short projection WCs, which are 20cm shorter than the standard size but work perfectly well in this space,’ explains Thomas Griem of TG Studio. ‘Selecting a small sink that remains practicably useable is important. And although there is little storage required of a cloakroom, we allow for a niche above the toilet as a minimum.’
If installing a cloakroom into a narrow and awkward space, think about installing a sliding door to free up space in the corridor or in the cloakroom itself - this will make the room feel much bigger than it is.
Create the illusion of more space
The key to giving a greater feeling of space is to maximise the visible floor area, so hang as much as possible on the walls. ‘If you have stud partition walls, you may be able to utilise their thickness to countersink bathroom cabinets or even a slimline WC cistern,’ advises Townsend. ‘The more you can countersink, the greater the illusion of space. You’ll need to reinforce the walls to take any weight, so early investigation is advised to see what’s possible.’
Large-sized tiles are also recommended, as lots of grid lines from smaller tiles will make the room seem smaller. What’s more, the use of a mirror will convince your eye that the room is bigger than it actually is. ‘We would advise against a large mirror covering a whole wall, as it makes people feel uncomfortable. Instead, use semi-reflective materials that will reflect light. Mirrors should be kept to above the basin,’ adds Townsend.
The key to giving a greater feeling of space is to maximise the visible floor area, so hang as much as possible on the walls. ‘If you have stud partition walls, you may be able to utilise their thickness to countersink bathroom cabinets or even a slimline WC cistern,’ advises Townsend. ‘The more you can countersink, the greater the illusion of space. You’ll need to reinforce the walls to take any weight, so early investigation is advised to see what’s possible.’
Large-sized tiles are also recommended, as lots of grid lines from smaller tiles will make the room seem smaller. What’s more, the use of a mirror will convince your eye that the room is bigger than it actually is. ‘We would advise against a large mirror covering a whole wall, as it makes people feel uncomfortable. Instead, use semi-reflective materials that will reflect light. Mirrors should be kept to above the basin,’ adds Townsend.
Make a feature
Always try to create some sort of focal point, as this will detract from the feeling of being in a confined space. ‘For example, we have designed a backlit basin manufactured in recycled glass, available in a range of colours, which gives a wonderful glow and is a real talking point with clients and their guests,’ says Townsend.
‘Another trick is to create a box by treating all surfaces, including the ceiling and door, with timber panelling; this makes the room feel special,’ advises Griem. ‘I also like to use low light levels in small spaces, so as to not make you feel claustrophobic.’
Get advice about using wood in the bathroom
Always try to create some sort of focal point, as this will detract from the feeling of being in a confined space. ‘For example, we have designed a backlit basin manufactured in recycled glass, available in a range of colours, which gives a wonderful glow and is a real talking point with clients and their guests,’ says Townsend.
‘Another trick is to create a box by treating all surfaces, including the ceiling and door, with timber panelling; this makes the room feel special,’ advises Griem. ‘I also like to use low light levels in small spaces, so as to not make you feel claustrophobic.’
Get advice about using wood in the bathroom
Let there be light
Cloakrooms are most likely to be the smallest room in the home and invariably suffer from a lack of natural light or no window light at all. ‘Lighting a cloakroom, like a bathroom, needs careful planning to ensure safety, due purely to the addition of electricity in a room where water is being used,’ advises Michael Linsky of Sensio Lighting.
‘To help make it easy to identify the appropriate products for use in this room, the IEE Wiring regulations have identified particular zones within the room which indicate the type of electrical equipment that can be installed there. An electrical product used up to 60cm around a sink, for example, requires a minimum rating of IP44.’
Cloakrooms are most likely to be the smallest room in the home and invariably suffer from a lack of natural light or no window light at all. ‘Lighting a cloakroom, like a bathroom, needs careful planning to ensure safety, due purely to the addition of electricity in a room where water is being used,’ advises Michael Linsky of Sensio Lighting.
‘To help make it easy to identify the appropriate products for use in this room, the IEE Wiring regulations have identified particular zones within the room which indicate the type of electrical equipment that can be installed there. An electrical product used up to 60cm around a sink, for example, requires a minimum rating of IP44.’
Areas that require lighting
Consider the general room lighting, which in most cases would be a ceiling light. ‘The latest COB (Chip on Board) LED ceiling spotlights make a great alternative to a harsh single pendant light. COB technology tightly compacts a high number of small LED chips, creating the effect of one lighting module, as opposed to visible dots from individual diodes,’ advises Linsky.
The next area to consider lighting is the basin, best illuminated from both sides to eliminate unflattering shadows. Shop for a cloakroom mirror with integral lighting, and look out too for those with a de-mister pad to ensure it stays clear in what could be a steamy atmosphere if the cloakroom doubles as a downstairs shower room.
‘Finally, there may be dark spots in the cloakroom that require additional lighting, whether that be inside cupboards, flooding light across the floor or above a coat rack,’ adds Linsky. He suggests nifty rechargeable LED lights as they require no electrical installation.
Consider the general room lighting, which in most cases would be a ceiling light. ‘The latest COB (Chip on Board) LED ceiling spotlights make a great alternative to a harsh single pendant light. COB technology tightly compacts a high number of small LED chips, creating the effect of one lighting module, as opposed to visible dots from individual diodes,’ advises Linsky.
The next area to consider lighting is the basin, best illuminated from both sides to eliminate unflattering shadows. Shop for a cloakroom mirror with integral lighting, and look out too for those with a de-mister pad to ensure it stays clear in what could be a steamy atmosphere if the cloakroom doubles as a downstairs shower room.
‘Finally, there may be dark spots in the cloakroom that require additional lighting, whether that be inside cupboards, flooding light across the floor or above a coat rack,’ adds Linsky. He suggests nifty rechargeable LED lights as they require no electrical installation.
Heat your cloakroom
Thought is primarily given to the basin and WC when it comes to planning a cloakroom. However, with limited space available, it is essential that the initial designs incorporate heating to avoid it being left as an afterthought. ‘As the space is fairly compact, you may find that a towel warmer will provide you with a sufficient amount of heat. However, it is important to check this before you make your purchase,’ advises Steve Birch of Vogue.
‘Opt for a wall-hung towel warmer design, which will allow you to keep valuable floor space free. If you are struggling to find a towel warmer model to suit the space you have available, look into having a bespoke option made to suit your exact needs and requirements.’
Electric underfloor heating is ideal for compact areas of the home, and pairing it up with a small electric towel warmer can often be the perfect solution. ‘When used as the main source of heating, it makes the layout of a room far easier to plan, as it eliminates the need to think about where the radiator can be installed and where the sanitaryware should be positioned. It also keeps wall space free for storage,’ says Birch.
Thought is primarily given to the basin and WC when it comes to planning a cloakroom. However, with limited space available, it is essential that the initial designs incorporate heating to avoid it being left as an afterthought. ‘As the space is fairly compact, you may find that a towel warmer will provide you with a sufficient amount of heat. However, it is important to check this before you make your purchase,’ advises Steve Birch of Vogue.
‘Opt for a wall-hung towel warmer design, which will allow you to keep valuable floor space free. If you are struggling to find a towel warmer model to suit the space you have available, look into having a bespoke option made to suit your exact needs and requirements.’
Electric underfloor heating is ideal for compact areas of the home, and pairing it up with a small electric towel warmer can often be the perfect solution. ‘When used as the main source of heating, it makes the layout of a room far easier to plan, as it eliminates the need to think about where the radiator can be installed and where the sanitaryware should be positioned. It also keeps wall space free for storage,’ says Birch.
Turn up the heat
It is important to calculate the heat output needed for your cloakroom, and the easiest way to do this is by using a BTU calculator. ‘Many radiator and towel warmer manufacturers now provide this function on their website in order to ensure that the model chosen has the correct output,’ explains Birch. ‘By simply entering a few details into the calculator, including which room of the home you are working with, room dimensions, and whether the windows are single or double glazed, you will be provided with all of the information you need.’
Although a BTU calculator does provide a fairly accurate result, it is also important to take other contributing factors into account, such as whether the home benefits from cavity wall insulation and how well heated adjacent rooms are, as this can affect the overall result. ‘Don’t be fooled into thinking that just because it is a small bathroom it won’t require a lot of heat. If it is poorly insulated, you may require a more powerful radiator than you first thought,’ adds Birch.
Tell us…
Have you created space for a small cloakroom in your home? Share your tips in the Comments.
It is important to calculate the heat output needed for your cloakroom, and the easiest way to do this is by using a BTU calculator. ‘Many radiator and towel warmer manufacturers now provide this function on their website in order to ensure that the model chosen has the correct output,’ explains Birch. ‘By simply entering a few details into the calculator, including which room of the home you are working with, room dimensions, and whether the windows are single or double glazed, you will be provided with all of the information you need.’
Although a BTU calculator does provide a fairly accurate result, it is also important to take other contributing factors into account, such as whether the home benefits from cavity wall insulation and how well heated adjacent rooms are, as this can affect the overall result. ‘Don’t be fooled into thinking that just because it is a small bathroom it won’t require a lot of heat. If it is poorly insulated, you may require a more powerful radiator than you first thought,’ adds Birch.
Tell us…
Have you created space for a small cloakroom in your home? Share your tips in the Comments.
Cloakrooms improve the comfort of your home. They keep the family bathroom separate from guests and are beneficial for those who are less able to use the stairs. ‘It has become more commonplace and essential for new-build homes to have as many bathrooms as bedrooms, and this is setting the standard for older homes, which are being refurbished,’ observes Milena Cox of Catalano.
‘Additional cloakrooms allow growing families to have more privacy and space within the home, and they often become a differentiation point against competing properties when selling or renting out your home.’