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To think husband is wrong about extension? Combined utility and downstairs toilet?

104 replies

chihsro · 17/11/2024 19:19

So we are finally having our plans drawn up to extend downstairs (it’s taken years). We are extending the kitchen to have a seating area too that overlooks the garden and we also wanted a separate utility and pantry.

Now DH thinks we should sack off the pantry and have a bigger combined utility room with a toilet.

(We currently have a very small downstairs toilet but he wants to turn this into a storage cupboard)

I don’t like the idea of washing my clothes next to poo particles (even if I cleaned it twice a day!)

OP posts:
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HollyKnight · 17/11/2024 20:51

Just tell people to use the upstairs loo if they want to poop. That's what we do.

Positivenancy · 17/11/2024 20:39

okayhescereal · 17/11/2024 20:22

Ooo interesting!!!

Do you still close the lid to flush though? Pet peeve how few people do but maybe ibu as it doesn't make much difference over all!

Yes! Always!

okayhescereal · 17/11/2024 20:34

cookiebee · 17/11/2024 20:32

Oh this is wonderful news, another thing on mumsnet that literally bothers no one in the real world. Il add ‘poo-tility rooms’ to the list of people who freak out over toilet brushes, en-suites and answering the front door. When I was a youngster 80s/90s we had carpet in our toilets and bathrooms and fluffy toilet lid covers, it was soooo warm and luxurious, some of you would have passed out.

The combined toilet and utilities will be fine,
my aunts downstairs toilet used to have carpets and doubled as the coat cupboard, men of the family would smoke their roll ups in them as well while taking a dump! (Mumsnetters run screaming out the door wearing marigolds) 😂

I remember a fluffy loo seat. It was lovely!!

Ah ignorance truly is bliss

cookiebee · 17/11/2024 20:32

Oh this is wonderful news, another thing on mumsnet that literally bothers no one in the real world. Il add ‘poo-tility rooms’ to the list of people who freak out over toilet brushes, en-suites and answering the front door. When I was a youngster 80s/90s we had carpet in our toilets and bathrooms and fluffy toilet lid covers, it was soooo warm and luxurious, some of you would have passed out.

The combined toilet and utilities will be fine,
my aunts downstairs toilet used to have carpets and doubled as the coat cupboard, men of the family would smoke their roll ups in them as well while taking a dump! (Mumsnetters run screaming out the door wearing marigolds) 😂

Crispyturtle · 17/11/2024 20:23

I wouldn’t be fussed about having the loo in the utility but I would be fussed about losing the pantry. My pantry, which we put in during quite an extensive house renovation, is my favourite part of my house, it’s just so handy. It also meant we needed less kitchen cupboards, which we liked as it made things a bit more streamlined.

RedRiverShore5 · 17/11/2024 20:23

I think I would leave the toilet where it is and have the storage in the utility

okayhescereal · 17/11/2024 20:22

Positivenancy · 17/11/2024 19:30

Microbiologist here to tell you that there are poop particles pretty much everywhere in your house @chihsro so carry on with whichever suits you best layout wise 😅

Ooo interesting!!!

Do you still close the lid to flush though? Pet peeve how few people do but maybe ibu as it doesn't make much difference over all!

NavyOrca · 17/11/2024 20:21

YANBU to feel this way if there is literally no separation between the toilet and laundry facilities.

YABU to begin your sentence with, “So”.

LakieLady · 17/11/2024 20:19

My DPs lived in a 1980s council house. It had a massive downstairs lav that had plumbing for a washing machine, and it never occurred to them (or me) to give it a second thought.

They had a shower cubicle put in there as well.

pinkstripeycat · 17/11/2024 20:19

Is a toilet off of a utility trendy? We had ours built 15yrs ago. PIL had theirs built in the 80s. 😂 definitely not a modern idea.

MissMoan · 17/11/2024 20:19

Maybe ask your builder / architect what they would advise

MasterBeth · 17/11/2024 20:19

Positivenancy · 17/11/2024 19:37

We are! All people carry poo particles around with them…they are literally everywhere. I have seen it with my own eyes 🤣

Yes, so being stressed about it is stupid.

graduand · 17/11/2024 20:17

Toilet must have its own space. With a door. And walls.

DilemmaDelilah · 17/11/2024 20:10

@Malbecmoron I'm not sure if I can! I've not tried to draw a diagram on anything other than a proper PC - I may try to give it a go later on.

Our shower room/etc. is in a tiny extension on the front of the house. It's about 3m long by 2.3m wide - ish. Door on a short side, window on the right long side.
On the left as you go in is a tall cupboard with the tumble dryer and washing machine stacked inside, electrics, plumbing, drainage etc also in the cupboard. Shelf above the appliances to put the laundry baskets etc. on. Long cupboard door opens up to the appliances. Lift up cupboard door to the top shelf.
Beyond the cupboard is a large basin (big enough to wash your smalls in necessary) on a cupboard, with a big light up mirrored cupboard above.
Next to that is a 900mm shower cubicle. So - all that on the left wall.
On the right wall there is a very big window (had to have that for planning permission). Narrow cupboards all along that wall under the window up to the loo, cistern enclosed in a matching unit.
Loo is nearly right at the end of the room, facing the shower cubicle, but there is one narrow cupboard between the loo and the wall to give elbow room etc.
The end wall has a tall narrow heated towel rail. It's a small room and every single inch of space is accounted for, but it has masses of storage and doesn't feel cramped.
I designed it myself and I'm pleased with it.

Sorry it's such as long-winded explanation!

SunmerSazz · 17/11/2024 20:10

I have a loo (and shower) in my utility room. The washing machine and tumble dryer are behind cupboard doors, so is that ok? 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

Meganssweatycrotch · 17/11/2024 20:07

Who does the most of the washing and pantry filing? I’d say, they get the biggest say.

Copperkryten · 17/11/2024 20:07

It's probably all theoretical anyway- toilets need a 110 mm soil pipe, if there's not one near your utility room your husband will just have to suck it up. Not literally.

downwindofyou · 17/11/2024 20:06

@OrwellianTimes

You’ve not seen studies then? It’s a thing
Yes but why worry about poo particles in your laundry when there are poo particles in your bathroom. Where your towels and toothbrushes are .

rwalker · 17/11/2024 20:05

i think a lot of people have a no solids rule in the downstairs loo so problem solved

hardbeingme · 17/11/2024 20:04

I have seen some utility rooms where the toilet looks a bit lost in there, I think I would prefer it boxed off somehow? But this is what we’ve just done in our downstairs bathroom.
the washing machine is on the right and tumble dryer on the left.
Mind you we ripped the bath out for this which I know is very marmite on here, but eventually (if we can afford it!) it will give us more options in the kitchen/diner.

To think husband is wrong about extension? Combined utility and downstairs toilet?
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To think husband is wrong about extension? Combined utility and downstairs toilet?
AhBiscuits · 17/11/2024 19:58

I desperately want a pantry so yanbu.

Stuck1001 · 17/11/2024 19:58

Why don't you keep your current WC and then you can have your pantry/utility? Is it something to do with layout? It's expensive to move soil pipes etc. so there would really need to be a good reason in my experience to get rid of one and build another.

DisforDarkChocolate · 17/11/2024 19:57

I have a lootility, very little clothes drying fits in it though (too small, we have a small dehumidifier in there). I love having the washing machine out of the kitchen.

I'd still keep a party and a small downstairs loo.

StatisticallyChallenged · 17/11/2024 19:56

We had one in our old house - for us it was actually the main family bathroom which we ended up adding the washer and dryer to. We actually loved it; the bathroom was big but the layout meant you couldn't really have carved off the laundry part. Machines were built into cupboards under the sink, and all our bedrooms (so 95% of the laundry source) was upstairs so it made total sense.

This was however in a small city centre mews which was low on floorspace and where nobody was going to be tramping in through an external door in muddy dog walking boots or similar!

andHelenknowsimmiserablenow · 17/11/2024 19:53

When we extended our kitchen I really really wanted a utility with downstairs loo and shower, but DP and the architect had other plans and we have a smaller loo where the pantry used to be and the washing machine / dryer in the main kitchen extension.
Maybe you could section off the loo and basin part with a glass tile wall or panel?

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