In most Indian apartments the toilet and bathroom are one room. That makes planning more important: the WC, wash basin and shower all share a small space that gets wet several times a day. This guide covers practical toilet and bathroom design for Indian homes, with the details that keep a combined bathroom hygienic and easy to maintain.

Master bathroom vanity with pill-shaped mirror and stone-finish tiles
3D design visualisation prepared for a ModScale client, not a photograph of a completed home. See the full design.

Typical layouts

  • Linear: basin, WC and shower in a row along one wall, with the shower at the far end. Common in narrow bathrooms.
  • Shower opposite the WC: basin near the door, WC and shower on opposite walls with a glass partition.
  • Separate WC compartment: in larger homes, a small enclosed WC within the bathroom keeps it usable by two people at once.

WC choices

  • Western WC: the standard in most new apartments; wall-hung models with concealed cisterns are easiest to clean.
  • Indian WC: some families still prefer one in a common or staff bathroom.
  • Health faucet: essential in Indian bathrooms; place it within easy reach, with a separate stop valve.
Common washroom vanity with pill-shaped mirror and marble-finish wall, Rahul Gupta’s home interior at Prestige City Eden Park, Sarjapur Road
3D design visualisation prepared for a ModScale client, not a photograph of a completed home. See the full design.

Keep it dry and hygienic

  • A glass shower partition or at least a slope and a small step separating the shower.
  • Anti-skid floor tiles and walls tiled to full height.
  • Floor slope towards a good-quality drain, and a second drain near the WC if the room is large.
  • An exhaust fan and, wherever possible, an openable window.
  • Epoxy grout in the shower zone; see bathroom tiles design.

Small toilet-bathroom ideas

  • Wall-hung WC and floating vanity to keep the floor clear.
  • A corner or compact basin if space is tight; see wash basin design.
  • A sliding glass partition instead of a swinging one.
  • Shower niches and a mirror cabinet for storage.
  • Light-coloured, larger tiles to make the room feel bigger.
Master bathroom with stone-look tiles, glass shower screen and terrazzo-finish vanity, Debjani’s villa interior in Marathahalli, Bengaluru
3D design visualisation prepared for a ModScale client, not a photograph of a completed home. See the full design.

Fittings and plumbing

  • Use a diverter or thermostatic mixer with a hand shower and an overhead shower.
  • Plan the geyser, its switch and the exhaust fan before tiling.
  • Choose fittings that handle Bangalore’s hard water; a filter at the inlet helps.
  • Waterproof the floor and lower walls before tiling in a renovation.

More ideas in bathroom design ideas, small bathroom design ideas and bathroom renovation cost.

Frequently asked questions

How do I design a combined toilet and bathroom?

Keep the shower at the far end with a glass partition, the WC in the middle and the basin near the door, with anti-skid tiles, good drainage and ventilation.

Is a western or Indian toilet better?

Most new apartments use western WCs, which suit elderly users and are easy to clean. Some families keep an Indian WC in a common or staff bathroom.

Is a health faucet necessary?

In Indian bathrooms, yes. Place it within easy reach of the WC with its own stop valve.

How do I keep a toilet-bathroom dry?

Separate the shower with a glass partition or step, slope the floor to a good drain, and use an exhaust fan and window to remove moisture.

What tiles are best for a toilet-bathroom floor?

Anti-skid matt vitrified or porcelain tiles, with epoxy grout in the shower area.

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