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Original poster

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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GauntJudy · 17/11/2024 19:51

I saw this for the first time ever on rightmove this week. I have bad dreams about toilets in odd areas and it was like seeing my dream come to life. Toilet just plonked beside a washing machine.

Pootility room is an excellent name but I remain a fan of walls around a loo.

Forgottenwhatitwas · 17/11/2024 19:51

Am I the only one that never poos in the downstairs toilet?

I'd go for the pantry, I'd love a pantry

girlwhowearsglasses · 17/11/2024 19:48

Here to say I dream about pantries!

Most of what’s in your fridge actually wants to be in a nice cool dry room. Store large pots of rice, pasta etc. Tins, cakes, wine, loads of stuff. Veg, potatoes, fruit etc

if you have a north facing wall and can do that it would be brilliant. You can ventilate it naturally with a rodent-proof vent at the bottom and top of the room to the outside
(heat rises so cool air will come in at the bottom)

Malbecmoron · 17/11/2024 19:44

DilemmaDelilah · 17/11/2024 19:41

I have a combined downstairs loo/shower room/utility. My washing machine and tumble dryer are stacked in a cupboard so you can't even see them, let alone have an excess of poo particles getting on them. I love it. There didn't seem much point in getting a loo put in without a shower, as we were future-proofing. It's not a huge room but it is beautifully planned and very efficient. (Plus we have under floor heating in there and it is wonderful!)

Would you mind sharing your layout? We want to convert our downstairs shower room to incorporate washing machine etc. We're struggling to work out how to do it!

Schweppestonic · 17/11/2024 19:42

Separate loo definitely, just for aesthetics. When you come to ‘set out’ and organise your pantry you will be glad of it.

DilemmaDelilah · 17/11/2024 19:41

I have a combined downstairs loo/shower room/utility. My washing machine and tumble dryer are stacked in a cupboard so you can't even see them, let alone have an excess of poo particles getting on them. I love it. There didn't seem much point in getting a loo put in without a shower, as we were future-proofing. It's not a huge room but it is beautifully planned and very efficient. (Plus we have under floor heating in there and it is wonderful!)

stargazerlil · 17/11/2024 19:37

You know smells have particles, they have weight which means when you can smell poo you are ingesting poo. Just a thought.

Positivenancy · 17/11/2024 19:37

MasterBeth · 17/11/2024 19:33

We have a toilet in our utility room. No door.

"Poo particles"? Get over yourself.

What do you think happens to "poo particles" in any other toilet? Do you think you are covered in "poo particles" every time you have a shit?

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

banivani · 17/11/2024 19:37

Don’t move to Scandinavia OP, we don’t have washing machines in the kitchen we have them in bathrooms! Never heard of anyone associating it with poo particles - I think voicing this casts aspersions on your cleanliness! ;)

AnOldCynic · 17/11/2024 19:36

I have a friend with this arrangement. I can honestly say it has never crossed my mind that it's odd to have a toilet in the utility room.

If it were a massive room it would look odd, but his is about 1.5m sq. listen to @Positivenancy.

Wishboneswishes · 17/11/2024 19:36

I’d just go utility with some storage. If you already have a downstairs loo, not much point in having another. I’m on your team OP!

SkaneTos · 17/11/2024 19:36

In many countries it's the normal thing to have your laundry machine in the bathroom.
Many people think it's weird to do laundry in the kitchen!

ConstanceM · 17/11/2024 19:36

Lootilitys are cool. We have one but it's enclosed by walls either side, it's used to be a cloakroom toilet but we extended into the side return and put units housing washing machine and dryer & sink. It was an act of genius. We have window and an extractor fan to eradicate poo particles. We do have 3 toilets though for 4 people and you still get people's knocking on the door FFS.

ShodAndShadySenators · 17/11/2024 19:35

Isn't the lavatory partitioned off from the laundry area? And if not, can't it be done like that?

I wouldn't want to give up the pantry though. We have all our food in a pantry cupboard and it's fab.

HappiestSleeping · 17/11/2024 19:35

ObtuseMoose · 17/11/2024 19:33

Close the lid before you flush and don't shit in the washing machine?!

This 👆

titchy · 17/11/2024 19:35

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

But presumably you're happy cleaning your teeth next to poo particles?

OrwellianTimes · 17/11/2024 19:34

MasterBeth · 17/11/2024 19:33

We have a toilet in our utility room. No door.

"Poo particles"? Get over yourself.

What do you think happens to "poo particles" in any other toilet? Do you think you are covered in "poo particles" every time you have a shit?

You’ve not seen studies then? It’s a thing.

ObtuseMoose · 17/11/2024 19:33

Close the lid before you flush and don't shit in the washing machine?!

MasterBeth · 17/11/2024 19:33

We have a toilet in our utility room. No door.

"Poo particles"? Get over yourself.

What do you think happens to "poo particles" in any other toilet? Do you think you are covered in "poo particles" every time you have a shit?

OrwellianTimes · 17/11/2024 19:32

Also not a fan of these modern poo-tility rooms that are on loads of new builds. I don’t want to get near the toilet to switch laundry around.

CouchSweetPotatoes · 17/11/2024 19:32

We have this set up, I wouldn’t have chosen it but the house was perfect in every other way! It’s fine, and in some ways it’s better than having a teeny loo, plenty of room for a massive utility sink which is really useful. But if I was building from scratch I’d have the loo separate!

CMOTDibbler · 17/11/2024 19:31

In my extension, the best thing I did was have a utility room that the door is shut on and things waiting to be washed/ waiting to go upstairs/ trainers drying etc etc can't be seen unless you open the door.

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 😅

Saschka · 17/11/2024 19:30

I have not put offers on houses because the toilet and utility room were together - I just don’t want laundry and muddy boots in the same space as a toilet.

Separate them!

Curtainqueen · 17/11/2024 19:29

1st world problems i guess...

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