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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:
StrictlyCoffee · 13/04/2026 12:14

We got our bathroom redone 5 years ago and it was rubbish having no decent loo. Whilst we were left with a loo at night to use there was no door on the bathroom and no lights. I drove me and 2 kids to the supermarket before it shut at 10 so we could do our business! A downstairs loo would have been such a help.

Original poster
TheBeaTgoeson1 · 13/04/2026 12:13

Yes also to add, it would have shower, mainly for dogs and wetsuits. That’s part of my idea!

OP posts:
Renter2026 · 13/04/2026 12:13

Team Downstairs Loo here!

Inertia · 13/04/2026 12:12

I’d go further and say that if you have space for a boot room and the space under consideration would otherwise be unused, can you fit in a downstairs shower room with loo?

We did this and use it loads - saves trailing muddy/ wet / grass covered clothing upstairs after walks/ cycling/ gardening/ messy or wet outside work.

Newyearawaits · 13/04/2026 12:12

Downstairs loo is an absolute plus.
I know that if I live to old age with reduced mobility, I can stay where I am.
One of my family members lives in a big house with only one toilet, sooooo inconvenient.

StrictlyCoffee · 13/04/2026 12:11

Whyarepeople · 13/04/2026 12:02

In Ireland it's a requirement that new houses have a downstairs loo with a wide enough door to fit a wheelchair. It is madness not to have a downstairs loo - if someone breaks a leg or becomes incapacitated then they're screwed.

My mum didn't put a downstairs loo in her renovation and years later her mum couldn't visit her because of lack of access to a toilet. Her mum is now dead but she mentions it over and over - it upset her a lot not to be able to host her mum in her later years.

We are in this position with my mum

She can get into my house but we have no downstairs loo

My sister does have the loo but mum can’t get into her house.

unfortunately by the time we manage to get one I’m not sure my mum will be able to benefit as she’s nearly 80 as it is

Original poster
TheBeaTgoeson1 · 13/04/2026 12:10

Credittocress · 13/04/2026 12:08

It wouldn’t bother me if the house didn’t have one. I’d prefer a utility space myself.

My idea is if someone in the future preferred utility it would be easy swap to laundry room / utility.

OP posts:
Ohpleeeease · 13/04/2026 12:10

Downstairs loo without a doubt. It is definitely a feature that will add value to your property - no brainer.

StrictlyCoffee · 13/04/2026 12:09

We don’t have one and it’s a big miss in this house, I’m now looking at how we can fit one in.

TheyGrewUp · 13/04/2026 12:09

I'd say a downstairs loo, if physically possible, is essential. Soo helpful for potty training and when dd broke her leg very badly it was a lifesaver.

Credittocress · 13/04/2026 12:08

It wouldn’t bother me if the house didn’t have one. I’d prefer a utility space myself.

takealettermsjones · 13/04/2026 12:08

Unless it's a two bed terrace, then yes I'd say put in the downstairs loo!

Original poster
TheBeaTgoeson1 · 13/04/2026 12:08

Period property. 3 bedrooms.

Space wouldn’t be used without doing loo. Will also include a boot room/ cloakroom.

I’m team loo!!!

OP posts:
Gardenquestion22 · 13/04/2026 12:07

It's not a deal breaker for me, but we had one put in when we did a renovation, and it's a definite nice to have.

Birch101 · 13/04/2026 12:07

DS loo absolutely and preferably one close to the main entrance and not accessed off of other rooms

Consider nowadays flats are built 2 bed 2 bath so i would say 2 bedroom = 2 loos

Inertia · 13/04/2026 12:07

Why on earth would you not want an additional loo in your house if you’re doing work anyway?

Far better and more cost effective to install it now during renovations than do it at a later date.

bigboykitty · 13/04/2026 12:06

A downstairs loo is really important

Beebumble2 · 13/04/2026 12:06

I would not buy a house if it didn’t have a downstairs loo or the space for one. We put one in our house, fortunately there was an old larder that went under the stairs. Easily done.

gottakeeponmoving · 13/04/2026 12:06

That nice bathroom at the top of the stairs won't seem as nice when you can't get upstairs anymore.
Plus the added bonus - a downstairs loo stops visitors wandering off upstairs.

Heyheyitsanotherday · 13/04/2026 12:06

Downstairs loo massively benefited us when my husband had a hip op, when I was pregnant and hurt my back and also for potty training. Also nice when we had people over that they don’t have trial upstairs (meaning I don’t worry if I’ve tidied up up there 😂) definitely a plus for our family and would be something we’d prob want in a property should we look to move house.

O00ps · 13/04/2026 12:05

How many bedrooms?
If its a family home it would be hard to sell without a 2nd loo.
It should be compulsory these days for any home to have a downstairs loo.

KellsBells7 · 13/04/2026 12:04

Unless restricted by size or affordability, a downstairs loo is a must.

StonwEd · 13/04/2026 12:03

I would never live in a house without at least two loos. I've just moved from a house with two, to one with three. It wasn't a deal breaker but when adult son is home from uni I'll be pleased of it!

Bezaz · 13/04/2026 12:03

A second loo is a really useful thing. Our only toilet is upstairs, in the bathroom, so if you want to wee when somebody's having a shower, then thats tough.
Not having a downstairs loo also makes entertaining our elderly parents difficult as their mobility isn't good enough to get upstairs. (Obviously some would consider this a good thing!). If we end up staying here into our old age, we will have to put one in somewhere.

Pearlstillsinging · 13/04/2026 12:03

After having to.put a commode at the bottom of the stairs when I was recovering from a badly broken leg, I would definitely prioritise a downstairs loo. In fact I'm trying to identify a space for one here.