En suite or downstairs shower room?

[superking]

We're planning an extension to our 3 bed, 1 bath, semi. We want to add an extra bedroom, a downstairs toilet, and another shower - either as an en suite to the master bedroom, or combined with the downstairs WC to make a downstairs shower room.

I would probably prefer an ensuite, but space is at a premium on the top floor so it would in some ways make more sense to maximise the size of the bedrooms and put the extra shower downstairs.

We have 2 small DC but often have guests staying overnight, hence the wish for an extra shower!

Just wondered what others would do/ have done? We will probably stay put here for another 5/6 years after extending, so whilst the most important thing is that the set up works for us, I don't want to inadvertently put off future buyers by getting it the wrong way round.

[NetballHoop]

If it was me I'd do the ensuite. I've never liked showers in the downstairs loo.

[bojorojo]

Do you want to walk downstairs for a shower and then go back up to get dressed? Most peope do not want to do that. Ensuite every time. Can you borrow a bit of space from two bedrooms so that it is not one bedroom that is reduced in size.

Downstairs loos are far more functional in terms of coming in from the garden, visitors etc so having a shower in there as well is a bit odd. Make the downstiars loo quite small and add built in coat storage but ensure you can access the coats without going into the loo. This is better use of the space and makes the house look tidy.

[atticusclaw2]

ensuite. We have a downstairs shower room and it only ever gets used when the DC are too dirty to allow them upstairs.

[minipie]

I'd say ensuite too sorry.

Can you free up some space on the top floor by putting some of the top floor storage downstairs instead? For example if you're currently storing suitcases, coats or sports kit upstairs, perhaps you could build a big cupboard downstairs for all that and then knock out the freed-up storage upstairs.

[PigletJohn]

Some people use a downstairs shower for dogs. Otherwise it is more useful if you have a downstairs guest room, or when you get too frail to climb the stairs.

Or use the space for a washer and drier, perhaps.

[YelloDraw]

I think 90% of people would prefer a en-suite rather than a downstairs shower room unless you have a downstairs guest room.

[namechangedtoday15]

You'll get a massive difference in opinion because its quite a personal issue. There was a thread a couple of days ago as to whether a 4 bed house should have an ensuite - I've copied the link - and lots of people were saying they hated ensuites!! Its a bit like marmite

For me, I wouldn't want to shower downstairs, but neither would I want people traipsing through my bedroom to use my ensuite. Guests can use the family bathroom!
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/2730898-Would-you-buy-a-house-without-an-en-suite?

[JT05]

We had a 4 bed with two separate, upstairs bathrooms and downstairs loo. When we came to sell it prospective buyers complained that there was no en suite! We became obsessed and almost put one in!

[UltimateFrisbee]

En suite here too. I like having a grown up bathroom and a kids' bathroom.

Downstairs showers confuse me a bit - bedrooms and clothes are upstairs so why would I shower downstairs?

[jamaisjedors]

We have a downstairs shower room and love it. With small DC and even now it means the mornings are much easier. For example i can pop into the shower and still be in the next room to the ds. They are better at brushing their teeth because the stuff is downstairs. I can be doing my make up and still supervising breakfast or bag packing.

[jamaisjedors]

Ultimate, we take our clothes down with us.

[Stevefromstevenage]

Definitely en suite gets my vote. We took out a downstairs bathroom that was never used and replaced it with a wc and storage. When we are older we might revert to a downstairs bathroom but it will probably need to be accessible so I won't be doing it for many years.

[superking]

Hmmm very nearly unanimous for the en suite then. I am quite surprised, I'd thought maybe a downstairs shower would be more flexible for eg a family with three teenagers. Im glad I asked now! Thanks all.

[ApplesTheHare]

Anyone on Mn just thinking about their own family life will probably answer ensuite to this, but a downstairs shower ensures your house could be future proofed for you as you get older (presuming you like the house and plan to stay), and/or marketed to older people (of which there are an ever growing number) and/or disabled people who may struggle with stairs. What's right for the property depends more on your future plans and who you think future buyers might be as opposed to asking MN, most of who are likely to be in a fairly similar place in their lives and looking for similar things from houses.

[MrsCampbellBlack]

Agree with apples. We have put a downstairs wet room and it is great. Fab for when husband back from muddy rides and also for just grubby children.

And it does add value for older people or those who find baths/stairs difficult.

I personally do not like a loo right next to my bedroom so an easy decision for me.

[LugsTheDog]

Downstairs shower. It's perfect for us - somewhere people can shower without waking anyone else up, and we pad down to breakfast in PJs anyway. At the weekend, with small DC, one of us had a lie in in complete silence while the other could get up with DC, get showered in earshot of DC and dressed and out of the house if necessary without disturbing the other. Also gives more options now that DC are older and showering alone.

Also hate the idea of a loo so close to our bed, especially with DH's IBS!

I'm almost certain an en suite would add more value, because more people would prefer it, but the downstairs shower room would be our preference every time.

[ApplesTheHare]

P.s. I actually meant to say that we have a downstairs shower and love that it's possible to get up and out without making lots of noise upstairs too.

[sentia]

I don't particularly like ensuites. No ensuites wouldn't put me off buying a house, and a squished in ensuite (like the one we are just about to move in our house) is awful.

A downstairs wet room on the other hand sounds very useful, as PPs said for when coming in muddy (dog, children) etc. I'd probably try to do a small separate loo and then a utility room with a small shower, rather than a proper full bathroom, if it fits.

[budgetsbonus]

honestly, a downstairs shower room is fine! i would not be remotely bothered about walking upstairs to get changed.

[budgetsbonus]

id say more useful downstairs for when you do have teenagers and guests, more accessible to others than en suite.

[DramaAlpaca]

We have an en suite, but I really regret that when we built our house we didn't put in a downstairs shower.

[Joinourclub]

I'm voting for downstairs shower room. An ensuite makes sense in a big house with a proper 'master suite' , but in your average 3 bed semi it is just going to seem swished in, is going to be small and is going to make the bedrooms smaller.