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Under stairs loo concerns!

12 replies

Rubles · 17/03/2018 08:49

Hello! First post here. Having our kitchen done and DM is convinced we should convert under stairs cupboard to small loo.

No DC atm but sure it would be helpful if we did have them in near future. Currently only have one bathroom upstairs.

Live in a 3 bed victorian terrace so its a long shape and loo would be off the dining room.

Questions

  • is it very useful? Any idea if it would add value?


Concerns:
  • cost, inc potentially having to move gas/electric meters
  • where do you store coats?! And shoes? Only 2 of us atm but is this a problem with dc??
  • is it weird to have a toilet off your dining room? Don't use it formally often but am very funny about smells. Do most people have the sense to go upstairs if its going to smell?!


Any advice welcome!!
OP posts:
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OneDayIWillHaveAGreatUsername · 17/03/2018 09:48

We put a downstairs WC in our previous [Edwardian terrace] house. In theory it was for when we had DC and thought it would be handy to potty training etc. Plus, speaking to local EAs it would add value. Jump forward five years and two DCs later ... we never used the downstairs WC for potty training (our DD preferred the upstairs bathroom!) but it was a good selling point (we sold last year).

We didn't put the toilet in under the stairs as we were quoted £5k just to move our gas and electricity meters Shock

I would certainly think it would be a good idea to add another toilet if you only have one bathroom in the house. And, in my experience, most people are polite enough not to use a downstairs WC for smellier visits Wink

Coat and shoe storage was a pain - we had an Ikea shoe sideboard in the hallway under coat hooks which worked. But now we live in a house with a massive coat/shoe cupboard and I love that everything is hidden away!

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OneDayIWillHaveAGreatUsername · 17/03/2018 09:50

I should add that it was certainly useful for when we had visitors so they didn't have to use our upstairs bathrooms BUT the soundproofing was awful so I always had the fan to turn on with the light to muffle the noise Blush

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EmmaGrundyForPM · 17/03/2018 09:51

We used to have a 3 bed Victoria terrace with an understairs loo. It was invaluable especially for potty training. We had a hallway though so it was separated ftom the living/dining room.

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sycamore54321 · 18/03/2018 01:16

No way if it is immediately off the dining room. I'd hate that and would not buy or rent a house with that set-up.

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PigletJohn · 18/03/2018 01:47

It sounds like you have no hall?

Anyway, you need an effective extractor fan, and I recommend a fire door, which due to its thickness and solidity is very good at muffling noise. Even better if you add the furry smoke strip to the grooves provided in the matching lining (frame)

the walls of the room can be built with double layers of plasterboard, which is similarly effective.

The best modern extractor fans are very quiet, but I suppose you could buy an old-model Manrose if you want a loud one.

Modern cheap doors are made of air, with a thin coating of ply or hardboard for ornamental purposes, so I'd avoid them anywhere in the house

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InfiniteSheldon · 18/03/2018 06:41

I wouldn't buy a house with a toilet like that

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InTheRoseGarden · 18/03/2018 13:46

I'm just about to do this as part of a kitchen extension.

We've already done meter moves and what we found was that the utilities companies would only move the meters closer to the front door or actually outside. This was fine for our electricity meter but not gas. What we found is that you can move the gas meter by a certain amount by using the flexibility of a pipe by the meter which I think is called an anaconda! The amount of movement we could get using that was enough to get the meter above head height (so it will stay in what will become the loo). We did have to use a gas engineer with a particular qualification but it was otherwise straightforward.

We're having a new cupboard for coats and shoes at the end of the extension.

We're moving our dining room into the new extension so the room next to the loo will be a playroom / living area.

Motivation for me is having a loo for guests which isn't our family bathroom and not having to traipse upstairs with little children (I've got 3 of them).

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JoJoSM2 · 18/03/2018 13:56

I couldn't live without a downstairs loo because it's a good one for guests or other visitors (e.g. workmen or tutors).

However, you're clearly not bothered so what's the point? And you've got a valid point about losing storage space which you probably need? And if you have a child, you'll have their clothes or a stroller etc to put away. It would only make sense if you've got somewhere for a big storage wardrobe downstairs. And yes, it does add value to a house.

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namechangedtoday15 · 18/03/2018 19:01

We have an under stairs loo, and it really is invaluable (fab that guests don't have to go upstairs) but I would never put one in if it was directly off another living room. No way!! Unless you can fabricate some kind of hall or little alcove so you're not directly off the dining room, don't do it. I agree with a previous poster that I wouldn't but a house like that or would factor in the cost of taking it out and putting it back to a cupboard. I doubt guests would be comfortable using it, but if that's not a concern and it's just for your family and potty training then that's different. But I don't think I'd do it.

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Paddingtonthebear · 18/03/2018 19:03

We’ve got one. We rent our house. It doesn’t have a radiator in it so it’s always freezing. I hate it 😆

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PigletJohn · 18/03/2018 19:32

I have an electric towel rail in mine, as there is no radiator. Only 150 watts so just prevents excessive cold (runs for six and a half hours on 14p worth of electricity). I fitted a room thermostat so it only comes on when cold. I think they don't usually have one. They get no hotter than a teapot and have an overheat internal fusible link so most unlikely to cause a burn or catch fire.

You can also get a Tubular Heater which is cheaper and less elegant, and available in a range of powers dependent on length. I have one in the garage to protect pipes from frost.

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UndomesticHousewife · 19/03/2018 00:00

No not if it’s off the dining room but yes if it was in the hall. However if you need one you put one in where it’s possible and what you can live with.

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