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AIBU?

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Original poster

To remove the toilet from the en suite?

165 replies

EmotionalSupportBiscuit · 20/12/2024 18:29

I’m interested in how people would react if buying a house with an en-suite shower room instead of a more traditional complete en-suite with shower, toilet and basin.

Current set up:
Four bedroom house.

Main family bathroom has toilet, basin, bath with shower over.

Master bedroom has en-suite with toilet, basin and small shower cubicle.

There is a downstairs loo off the hall.

What I want to do:
Remove toilet from the en-suite and replace the shower cubicle with a nice big walk- in shower (not a wet room, a bigger contained modern shower enclosure).

I know MN has Opinions on en-suites and hates the idea of ‘poo-ing off your bedroom’ - but my question is:

YABU - an en-suite should have a toilet

YANBU - a shower room off the master bedroom is much better

I’m a firm believer in having your house how you want it but am thinking of how buyers would react when I do come to sell.

OP posts:
Porcuporpoise · 20/12/2024 21:31

It would totally put me off. As dh and I advance in years the need for a nighttime wee grows ever stronger. Also,when I'm ill, I prefer to stick to the privacy of my bedroom/bathroom rather than make mad dashes across the landing.

GreengrassofW · 20/12/2024 21:29

you can still have a spacious feeling shower, just open it out a bit, use a glass door/half door instead of a 'cubicle/capsule.' Don't get rid of the loo, it'll be weird.

Original poster
EmotionalSupportBiscuit · 20/12/2024 21:27

Really appreciate the views and ideas. I thought MN would be much more ‘lose the loo’. Food for thought!

OP posts:
HolyGrailSeeker · 20/12/2024 21:24

Do it. Have the shower of your dreams. I’d snap up a house with an en suite amazing shower. I can’t stand pokey showers.

For everyone that it’s a deal breaker for, there’s someone else who will love it.

Yellowbananasarebetterthangreen · 20/12/2024 21:19

Super weird, dont do it.
Plus I dont get the MN objection to having a poo in the ensuite - in our little house our bathroom is effectively the ensuite (as the door to the bathroom is right next to the door to our bedroom).

I cant imagine anyone wanting a huge shower cubicle and no loo.

Thewholeplaceglitters · 20/12/2024 21:11

It would put me off. Probably wouldn’t be a deal breaker but I’d be planning to put a loo back in asap. I‘m a 3 loos minimum in a 4-bed house kind of girl.

Bushmillsbabe · 20/12/2024 21:11

EmotionalSupportBiscuit · 20/12/2024 18:42

I really don’t want to lose the bath in the main bathroom as I am a total mermaid and I soak in it for ages! There isn’t space for a separate walk-in shower AND the bath, sadly.

Show quote history

Definitely don't lose the bath, that wouod be a negative for many too. Not for us, as only 1 who uses the bath is our 4 year old, but I think for many that would be an issue.

overthinkersanonnymus · 20/12/2024 21:10

I wouldn't buy a house like this, but I am considering doing the same in my en-suite!

I hate the tiny shower cubicle and it never gets used. The sink also pisses me off because it's too low.

There's a big silver frame thing on mine so I'm looking at getting a frameless cubicle and floating sink to give the illusion of space.

Deadringer · 20/12/2024 21:10

I don't have an ensuite, if I decided to get one, or buy a house with one I would want a toilet in it. I often have to dash to the loo during the night so would find it handy, quite happy to walk across the landing for a shower though.

Original poster
EmotionalSupportBiscuit · 20/12/2024 21:06

GritGoes4th · 20/12/2024 20:53

I would not buy a 4 bedroom house without 2 proper bathrooms: a full shower or bath, a basin that is not an over-toilet affair, and a toilet.

A wet room would be a no from me as well.

So if there is not enough space for a proper, full bathroom in the en suite, then I suspect that nothing you do will make it appeal to buyers looking for that.

But you live there and you don't need to live by my rules! Have your big shower and enjoy.

It would currently pass as a full bathroom - toilet, basin on the opposite side wall, shower cubicle in between. I just find the shower pokey and I don’t like the other shower over the bath.

Yes, gimme my hotel shower, god damn it!

OP posts:
Original poster
EmotionalSupportBiscuit · 20/12/2024 21:03

cantthinkofausername26 · 20/12/2024 20:53

I'd prefer no en suite. I think they are horrible. Turn it into a walk in wardrobe!

All the bedrooms have one or two fitted wardrobes as per original house design, so that would be stylish but feels even more indulgent! And doesn’t get me my awesome shower 😆

OP posts:
Xag · 20/12/2024 21:03

I'd prefer an en suite with just a loo and a sink, over one with a shower and sink.

Jellyand1cecream · 20/12/2024 21:03

I’m really surprised at all these comments! I have an en suite without a toilet (actually and a small barely usable shower) but I would never put a toilet in there! It’s lovely to have the sink, shower and little dressing table without there being any wee/poo toilet germs etc anywhere.

GritGoes4th · 20/12/2024 20:53

I would not buy a 4 bedroom house without 2 proper bathrooms: a full shower or bath, a basin that is not an over-toilet affair, and a toilet.

A wet room would be a no from me as well.

So if there is not enough space for a proper, full bathroom in the en suite, then I suspect that nothing you do will make it appeal to buyers looking for that.

But you live there and you don't need to live by my rules! Have your big shower and enjoy.

cantthinkofausername26 · 20/12/2024 20:53

I'd prefer no en suite. I think they are horrible. Turn it into a walk in wardrobe!

toastandtwo · 20/12/2024 20:53

Agree I’d want a toilet in the en suite. We never use the perfectly nice shower in our en suite but use the toilet daily (or rather nightly).

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 20/12/2024 20:48

EmotionalSupportBiscuit · 20/12/2024 20:29

Mine does and still would, even if I made the change.

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Ours has a window. And it’s bigger than the family bathroom, which doesn’t.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 20/12/2024 20:47

Weyohweyoh · 20/12/2024 18:31

I wouldn’t buy a house with a toiletless en suite. I have to get up to pee in the night far too often for that!

Me too!

FunkyFantasticFudgeball · 20/12/2024 20:43

Interesting thread, we have the same layout as you except 3 bedroom house and windowless en suite. We NEVER used the toilet in the en suite because if it was flushed more than twice a week the water would back up in it. We had a plumber and builder look at it and they thought maybe it was to do with the soil pipe. Next door have the same issue with their en suite toilet.

We went through the same debate and in the end decided to remove the (purely decorative) toilet. We haven't looked back. I really wanted to install a larger shower but it didn't work out with the layout but we've gained a big storage space where we can keep the ironing board, laundry and other bits.

It probably will be a factor if we ever sell (no plans yet) but they can put in a toilet if it's really important to them.

MathsMum3 · 20/12/2024 20:40

EmotionalSupportBiscuit · 20/12/2024 19:36

I want it to be a luxurious big hotel-style walk-in shower. Do I need it? Nope. Do I want it? Hell yeah.

I think I can achieve it by re-orienting it and keeping the loo but having a cistern/basin arrangement.

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I'm really not sure about a cistern/basin arrangement. I think this might put me off more than no loo at all. I'd be brishing my teeth and storing toothbrush and toiletries above a toilet? No thank you! I'd prefer to keep ensuite as a "clean space" with no toilet at all.

Original poster
EmotionalSupportBiscuit · 20/12/2024 20:38

Paradisegained · 20/12/2024 20:35

This don’t do it. We ruled out houses with wet rooms.

Show quote history

It wouldn’t be a wet room. The shower would still have a frame. I wouldn’t want a wet room either.

OP posts:
abracadabra1980 · 20/12/2024 20:37

I hate en suites. No privacy when you have diarroeah or need a good fart. I acknowledge some people are content with this but I'm not. And I would REALLY get the ICK having to listen to my DP's bodily functions.
Frequency gets worse as you get older.
Walk in wardrobe every time for me.

Paradisegained · 20/12/2024 20:35

Weyohweyoh · 20/12/2024 18:31

I wouldn’t buy a house with a toiletless en suite. I have to get up to pee in the night far too often for that!

This don’t do it. We ruled out houses with wet rooms.

Original poster
EmotionalSupportBiscuit · 20/12/2024 20:34

Tarraleah · 20/12/2024 20:19

I would love to know how enormous these houses people have. I get up several times at night, I never use my en-suite, the loo are not that far on the same floor and it's more private😂

Even in most hotels I find it weird to be able to see the loo from your bed. It makes sense in a hotel, but who wants to be that close?

Our house is big bedrooms at the expense of bathroom, I always think. I would so love a bathroom with a bath and a separate walk-in shower. Not possible here, my main bathroom is small with shower over the bath. I’m either going to leave it all as is or rejig the en-suite to get my sexy shower.

OP posts:
UnderCou · 20/12/2024 20:32

Yabu. I value the loo far more than the shower.