Downstairs cloakroom renovation Edwardian house

[Needtosoundoffandbreathe]

Our downstairs cloakroom - actually two rooms with loo separate from where the basin is - desperately needs redecorating/refurbing.

The high level cistern is plastic and boxed in. The wooden boxing needs replacing and is something of a monstrosity. I'm wondering whether we should install a ceramic cistern on brackets instead, but I'm not sure if there are implications/things to consider? I'm a bit concerned about condensation on the cistern, but is this actually an issue? The toilet pan is original to the house and we want to keep it.

Currently there is painted wallpaper, but I am wondering whether we should half tile the loo and replace the existing basin splashback or put panelling in. Any thoughts on these options?

Lastly, does anyone have any inspiration pictures please? Thank you in advance.

If panelled, I'm thinking this kind of style but ime panelling tends to be a dust trap, although it's cheaper and potentially quicker and easier to install than tiling.

you shouldn't get condenstation if the room is warm - no more than you would on a standard cistern.

I'd panel it personally unless you find some tiles you love. I just think it gives you more options to change the look in the future.

Wouldn’t you want a hand basin in there too?

The handbasin is literally just outside the door to the loo. The room with the loo in is narrower than the image I've used to illustrate panelling and you couldn't fit a basin in there.

That panelling doesn’t look so much like a dust trap so much as a blokes wee collector. I would prefer something smooth that can get wiped easier.

Yes to this! We have tiles (and three males peeing) and the tiles are a godsend, so easy to clean. I never understood how people put down a basket of toilet paper rolls right next to the seat. They will be soaked in less than a day in my house. Whatever you do, OP - make it easy to clean.

I'm torn on panelling. Objectively I think it looks nice/ adds visual interest and it may just become a modern classic design thing, like crittal doors, but there's also the risk that it becomes really dated (like artexed ceilings or something) because literally everyone is putting it in everywhere. Personally I'd half tile. That said, I'm going to wallpaper my downstairs loo with just a basin splashback and tiled floor so that's another option?

Thanks everyone. I've had a chat with DP today about it (thankfully before my mother pissed him off after he'd done a stack of admin for her!) and he thinks just wallpaper and no tiles or panelling, apart from the basin splashback. I am thinking when the wallpaper's removed it may flag that tiling or panelling could be a better idea. We'll see.

Apparently the original cistern is behind the rotting wooden cover, not a plastic one, so will see if we can keep it. The pipework to it is a bit untidy, which may be why it was boxed in the first place. We've also had some old lead pipes removed so we'll see what we're working with when we remove the cover.