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Original poster

Settle an argument- downstairs loo or not…?

362 replies

TheBeaTgoeson1 · 13/04/2026 11:58

Please help settle an argument…

Starting on a small renovation. One person thinks that a downstairs loo is important as part of the work, there is space for it.

The other doesn’t see that it adds attraction to a property, and there’s a nice bathroom with loo at the top of the stairs…

Those who have or haven’t got one, who is reasonable?

(It would bring the total of loos in the house to two.)

OP posts:
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janj52301 · 02/05/2026 10:41

with only an upstairs bathroom and having to use a stair lift I would want a downnstairs loo over any other improvement. U can't dash to the loo with a stair lift, accidents occur!!!

FartyAnimal · 23/04/2026 10:22

Definitely yes to downstairs loo if you have space. Really useful and great selling point.

MNTouristhere · 23/04/2026 10:20

No good reason not to have one and lots of reasons to so there’s your answer. I wouldn’t buy a house without a diwnstairs loo and could definitely be a deciding factor in future sales. You never know what is around the corner that might make you really pleased to have it.

Rottweilermummy · 18/04/2026 05:16

Definitely downstairs loo, vital in any house. We are currently renovating our house it has 2 bathrooms/ toilets one is out of action at moment while renovating and even with just 2 of us it is so useful to have the 2. I had a neighbour who got rid of his downstairs toilet he regretted it

averythinline · 16/04/2026 11:28

Definitely yes to downstairs loo am house hunting and won't consider house without one or a very easy place to put on .. which i will expect to be reflected in price ...

CurlewKate · 16/04/2026 09:27

Absolutely yes!

hcee19 · 16/04/2026 08:50

Definitely a downstairs loo. It can add about 5% onto the value of your home & is consider ed a necessity by many. Obviously don't know you, but it is great for people you may know with disabilities or older people, and for small children too

Laura95167 · 16/04/2026 08:17

If your house is newish theyre are required to have an accessible downstairs toilet to meet disability access standards. I think thats been the case since about 1998 or 1999 so if you have one and your house is built post 1998 I think you might legally need one.

But even if you dont legally need one, if you have space id have one.

Nothavingagoodvalentinesday · 16/04/2026 01:19

Having two loos would add tremendously to the value of the house compared to the outlay involved. Having grown up I a one loo house, I wouldn’t consider buying one without a downstairs loo these days.

LeftieRightsHoarder · 16/04/2026 00:45

This is a message from your future self: Definitely yes to a downstairs loo! One day your ageing legs will thank you.

ItsameLuigi · 16/04/2026 00:21

angelopal · 13/04/2026 12:00

Second loo is always a bonus. If you have visitors they don't need to go upstairs.

Really handy for young children especially if potty training.

Also handy when/if you have multiple children and they both suddenly are desperate for the toilet lol.

needagoodnightsleep1 · 15/04/2026 23:38

We didnt have a downstairs toilet when we moved in to the house we currently live it. That lasted about two months, we sacrificed some of the utility and had one installed downstairs. Best decision ever. I could not imagine having just one toilet in the house

Tiedbutchorestodo · 15/04/2026 23:33

I don’t think I’d buy a house without a downstairs loo. Think of all the time saved with not having to always have upstairs guest ready.

Zerosleep · 15/04/2026 23:00

Absolutely yes to downstairs loo, I wouldn’t buy a house without one

Peachie31 · 15/04/2026 21:55

Absolutely yes to the downstairs loo.

  1. better when you have guests

  2. better the more people who live there.

  3. not restricted on toilet use if someone is in the bath/shower.

  4. pretty handy if you get struck down with a stomach bug!

  5. better if you've got elderly relatives who visit

  6. will add value/improve saleability.

When I was pregnant with our first, we had a 2 bed house built in the 70s so it it had no downstairs loo. Being heavily pregnant in the summer it was rough going hauling my ass up the stairs for the 500 pees I needed every day!

PinkTonic · 15/04/2026 18:08

Unless I lived alone a second loo is essential and non negotiable.

user7463246787 · 15/04/2026 18:01

Well done OP! I wouldn’t consider a house with no downstairs loo.

Original poster
TheBeaTgoeson1 · 15/04/2026 17:45

I can confirm… team downstairs loo has prevailed.

OP posts:
ShodAndShadySenators · 15/04/2026 17:36

Have you been able to persuade the dissenter @TheBeaTgoeson1?

Mcoco · 15/04/2026 17:30

I had only one loo for 16 years. Then had a kitchen extension with a down stairs loo added. Its a joy! Yes definitely get a downstairs loo so handy. I can't imagine not having it now!

DirtyBird · 15/04/2026 16:34

I would never buy a house without one downstairs and one upstairs.

Original poster
TheBeaTgoeson1 · 15/04/2026 16:29

(It was in response to shock at the price - if we were installing a cloakroom in a space already in the house, I’d expect to have paid around 3000-4000)

OP posts:
Original poster
TheBeaTgoeson1 · 15/04/2026 16:28

@Reallyneedsaholidaythe extension. The cloakroom (downstairs loo will be around 1.5 x 2 m) It forms part of a larger extension.

The whole thing is 15,000 not just installing a cloak room.

OP posts:
Reallyneedsaholiday · 15/04/2026 15:18

TheBeaTgoeson1 · 15/04/2026 08:13

Its an extension, over 4 metres long.

Show quote history

4m long cloakroom???

AlleeBee · 15/04/2026 11:23

Inertia · 13/04/2026 12:15

No utility changes things - how much space are you talking about?

Can you combine a utility room with a sectioned-off loo & basin?

Boot room would be the lowest priority- boots and coats can go in a cupboard somewhere, they don’t need a whole room to themselves.

A loo-tility room is the perfect compromise 😁

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