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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:
Original poster
EmotionalSupportBiscuit · 20/12/2024 20:31

@TotHappy one of our previous flats had an UNHEATED en-suite bathroom with carpet and I literally had to break the ice in the toilet water on more than one occasion!

OP posts:
Original poster
EmotionalSupportBiscuit · 20/12/2024 20:29

Blondeshavemorefun · 20/12/2024 20:27

@FlickeringFairyLight all the en suites I know don't have a window

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

OP posts:
Blondeshavemorefun · 20/12/2024 20:27

@FlickeringFairyLight all the en suites I know don't have a window

OhcantthInkofaname · 20/12/2024 20:25

EmotionalSupportBiscuit · 20/12/2024 18:35

It really is too small. It never gets used. I would be in it every day with my posh hotel vibes if I had a lovely big shower.

Show quote history

What about getting a new toilet from IKEA that has a built in basin on top of the tank. You could still enlarge the shower taking the space from the basin.

TotHappy · 20/12/2024 20:22

Blimey, I feel like the hyperbole is out of control on this thread! Living with no ensuite in one house was a 'fucking nightmare ' per one PP?! Even with a second downstairs loo?
We have one family bathroom and a second downstairs loo and I considered that luxurious. I know it's the norm now for new builds to have 2 loos but most of the houses round here are old and have 1 small family bathroom. I don't think any of my family or close friends have an ensuite. And it's completely fine.

I've just remembered, though, one of dh and my previous flats (rented) had a main bathroom and then an ensuite off the bedroom which had just a bath in. No loo, no sink. I didn't use it much but I did occasionally and found it kind of charming, like an old fashioned dressing room. Actually, I think it had carpet too.
The night time wee-ers could always get a chamber pot in there?

ThriveIn2025 · 20/12/2024 20:21

We have an en suite with a teeny tiny shower. We kept the loo and use it. We just share the shower in the main bathroom.

It wouldn’t put my off buying a property but I might lower my offer to take account of the cost involved in reinstating the original loo.

RM2013 · 20/12/2024 20:21

I personally wouldn’t remove the toilet from the en suite as I do often get up early hours for a wee (thanks perimenopause) although the previous owners removed the shower and installed a large bath instead. I do think it looks lovely but DH would definitely prefer a shower instead. We do have a shower in the main bathroom. I wouldn’t not buy a house because of it if I really loved the house otherwise

museumum · 20/12/2024 20:20

I often need to pee and or see to my mooncup as I get into or out of the shower. Would hate to not have a toilet wherever I was showering.

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?

Xmasbaby11 · 20/12/2024 20:18

much less point of an en suite without a toilet. The main bonus is getting ready for bed at night, first thing in the morning and going to the loo in the night - none of these involve the shower, which I have early evening, same as DH. It is great having the shower, but no toilet would defeat the object.

Depends on your habits I suppose and the layout of your house (master bedroom) is on a different floor).

Tarraleah · 20/12/2024 20:16

I can't stand toilets in bathrooms, I wish there were enough houses for sale with separate loos. Unfortunately, I always end up paying to have the work done myself.

If a buyer really does not buy a house because they would prefer an en-suite toilet, they would be a nightmare from start to finish anyway. Or you have identical houses for sale in the same area. People can rarely afford to be that fussy.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 20/12/2024 20:15

I would want a toilet in the en suite - the beauty of an en suite is partly that you don’t have to go far to pee during the night!

CandiedPrincess · 20/12/2024 20:14

Loss of the toilet would be a no-no for me.

Bollocksmorelike · 20/12/2024 20:14

I’d see it as a huge bonus! Handy shower room and no poop, it’s a winner 😃

Original poster
EmotionalSupportBiscuit · 20/12/2024 20:11

Purplecatshopaholic · 20/12/2024 19:43

Naw, I’d want to keep the toilet. If you don’t, just make sure you can put it back in if you sell. Might affect house price too, so mortgage company would have a view?

Edited

We bought it 20 years ago for 230 and just had it valued at 475. It’s mortgage free for us.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 20/12/2024 19:44

Forever house fine. If you want to sell then I wouldn't.

Purplecatshopaholic · 20/12/2024 19:43

Naw, I’d want to keep the toilet. If you don’t, just make sure you can put it back in if you sell. Might affect house price too, so mortgage company would have a view?

confusedlots · 20/12/2024 19:43

I'd much prefer a bigger shower and to get rid of the toilet. But then I don't get up during the night to use the toilet, so rarely use the en suite toilet, because during the day I usually either use the downstairs toilet or the main family bathroom

Welcometotheocbitch · 20/12/2024 19:39

Shocked reading these comments id much prefer a bigger shower and no loo! Wouldn’t put me off buying whatsoever, a tiny shower in the en suite might though!!!

strawberry2017 · 20/12/2024 19:38

EmotionalSupportBiscuit · 20/12/2024 18:59

I think people choose houses for many reasons but this surely would be the very bottom of the list as it can be changed easily.

You’re quite right, @Crazybaby123, but if the house up the street is ‘more perfect’ then mine would be discounted.

I’m in a very small village and there are 40 houses on this new-ish development; only 4 are the same house style as mine. Ours has been extended. So I think if you wanted a four-bed in this village ours would be attractive. When we are ready to move, though, we will be needing to relocate, and I don’t want to hamper myself.

I disagree with this, it would be an easy thing to change, it would be costly, would need to change flooring, the plumbing and probably tiling. That's a few grands worth of work.

Original poster
EmotionalSupportBiscuit · 20/12/2024 19:36

strawberry2017 · 20/12/2024 19:34

If I was buying a house with an en suite and there was no toilet I wouldn't be interested. You don't need a really big shower. You stand in one place whilst you're in it, why would you need it to be the entire width of the bathroom.

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.

OP posts:
SleepToad · 20/12/2024 19:36

Locally most houses get a complete 're fit once bought (or even demolished and start again) one customer of mine had a new kitchen fitted before he sold his late mother's....they ripped it out within a week of buying!

FlickeringFairyLight · 20/12/2024 19:34

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

strawberry2017 · 20/12/2024 19:34

If I was buying a house with an en suite and there was no toilet I wouldn't be interested. You don't need a really big shower. You stand in one place whilst you're in it, why would you need it to be the entire width of the bathroom.

Iknitjumpers · 20/12/2024 19:31

I’ve never had an en-suite but I’d certainly expect a loo if I chose a house that had one. An en-suite would be a “nice to have” rather than a definite want.