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Property/DIY

Would you remove a downstairs loo?

31 replies

SparkyUK · 02/07/2010 23:51

We currently have a very small downstairs loo and a family bathroom on the first floor. We plan to put another bathroom in on the attic floor.

The kitchen is not teeny, but it's not big enough for a breakfast table and so we were thinking about taking out the downstairs loo and knocking through the walls there and with the pantry to create one big space. Still not tremendous but it would be 4x5.5m as opposed 3.5x3.5.

I just hesitate to remove a bathroom, even though it is very cramped and the wall seperating it and the pantry goes down the middle of a window (???). I know the space would be much nicer without it, but is it crazy to do away with a toilet? We spent lots of dosh at our last property putting one in!

wwyd?

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Trucker · 03/07/2010 00:04

No I wouldn't!

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KnottyLocks · 03/07/2010 00:12

Nor me. We have one and wouldn't be without it.

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SparkyUK · 03/07/2010 00:16

By the way, the loo is only .6 m wide by 1.6 m long and was put in in the 30's maybe? As a result, it isn't really seperated from the hallway and pantry by real walls. The walls are more like wooden paneling and are only 4.5 cm thick (as opposed to 10+ cm or whatever the norm is).

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cat64 · 03/07/2010 00:17

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MsHighwater · 03/07/2010 00:17

Have you considered getting an architect involved? You might find that an architect will give visit you for a brief consultation free of charge and talk over options for what you want to achieve. S/he just might come up with a solution that gives you all that you want.

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KnottyLocks · 03/07/2010 00:28

Have you got space under the stairs that would fit a toilet?

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kittycat68 · 03/07/2010 01:32

how big is the rest of your house how many bedrooms anything more than three bedrooms needs two toilets and even then most people looking for a three bedroom property would much prefer two toilets especailly if they have young children a down stairs toilet is sought after. but same as cat64 if your planning on living there a while the houde needs to suit YOU! could you just take out the panty maybe i would be very reluctant myself to remove the toilet but YOU have to live there if you would prefer a bigger kitchen with a table in it then go for it.

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kickassangel · 03/07/2010 01:47

if you are going to live there forever, do what you want, BUT if you think you might sell it in the next 10 years, keep it. can you extend out to make a bigger kitchen? costs more, i know, but a good kitchen adds on (approx) up to 80% of the cost of adding it, iyswim.

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solo · 03/07/2010 03:01

No!!!!!!

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JamieJay · 03/07/2010 05:49

I'm going to go against the grain and say remove it - from the way you describe it seems a little random in terms of its installation and if the space is better for you to live in surely that is more important than maybe selling the house at some point in the future.

If you are putting a bathroom in the attic you will have a second bathroom there.

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BubbaAndBump · 03/07/2010 06:08

Ooh, it's a hard one! A decent kitchen can sell a house though whereas a downstairs loo is often a bonus but not a must. As someone else suggested, is there a space under the stairs where you could add a downstairs loo?

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dawntigga · 03/07/2010 06:31

If it has a mincer I'd get rid of it quicker than you can say bloody mincer.

WeCanSendPeopleToTheMoonButCan'tMakeAMincerLastMoreThan2YearsTiggaxx

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ReneRusso · 03/07/2010 06:55

What's a mincer?
We recently knocked a wall down and claimed the space where the loo was. Loo is now understairs, it's tiny but it does the job. Really glad we did it as we now have very spacious kitchen and living open plan. Try and fit the downstairs loo in somewhere if you can... but ultimately having good kitchen / living space is more important.

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BeenBeta · 03/07/2010 08:26

Yes and no. A downstairs loo is a BIG plus and absolute must for people with young families and if you stay in the house when you are older it could come in handy too.

We have friends who have one under the stairs. It works well for their 2 DSs. If you can, I suggest moving it under the stairs but not taking it away completley.

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kittycat68 · 03/07/2010 09:52

a mincer i think is one of those saniflow things that pumps the waste really noisy things that let the neibours know youve just been! they get blocked easily also! nasty things!

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Bonsoir · 03/07/2010 09:54

While I agree with other posters that a downstairs loo is in theory a big plus, it sounds as if your current downstairs loo is quite uncomfortable and as if your kitchen would be vastly improved if extended into the loo.

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PixelHerder · 03/07/2010 09:57

In our last house the previous owners moved the downstairs loo from the end of the kitchen to under the stairs and it made a VAST improvement re space and light.

Would not have been without the one under the stairs though, I have to say, it was SO useful.

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LifeOfKate · 03/07/2010 09:59

I would get rid of it, you are putting another bathroom in upstairs anyway. A kitchen you can eat in is far more important than a downstairs toilet IMO. Obviously if you can squeeze in a toilet somewhere else downstairs as well, that would be the ideal

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BendyBob · 03/07/2010 10:05

Toilet mincer?

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champagnesupernova · 03/07/2010 10:11

Think the technical term is macerator or as my fil puts it "a shit-shredder" for when there aren't proper sewage facilities, this helps.

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kickassangel · 03/07/2010 15:02

actually, if the walls aren't that thick, it may be worth moving it/getting rid - there are quite strict building regs about distance from/partitions between toilets & kitchens & this one may not meet them.

get in a good builder, ask how much it would cost to move/take it out, (even if you plan to do it yourself), think about the joys of removing toilet outlet pipe & find out the range of possibilities & costs.

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Julesnobrain · 03/07/2010 23:40

I agree with Bonsoir. If you are putting an additional bathroom in the loft. I would prefer a decent sized kitchen

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LifeOfKate · 04/07/2010 08:33

So, what't the verdict, OP?

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biryani · 04/07/2010 13:30

Hi. Am thinking of doing the same thing, as we have 3 toilets and a narrow, poky kitchen. Think on balance it would be better to create a space for a dining table as this is likely to improve your lifestyle more than a downstairs toilet; the only issue for you I suspect is the impact on your house's value if you chose to sell in future.

Speak to an estate agent about your house's value- he will know the local market better than anyone.

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SparkyUK · 04/07/2010 18:06

No space under the stairs for a loo and as the property is listed the planning officer has basically told us that the loo stays where is is or we remove it all together. Not sure if I couldn't convince him otherwise but at the moment, it seems unlikely.

Anyway, we still have lots of other fixing up to do before we hit the kitchen - this is a project to consider for next year I think - but I'm still leaning towards eat-in-kitchen and losing the toilet. That's definitely how DH is leaning. We've only just moved in though, so we'll live with it as is for a bit and see how it suits as.

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