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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:
Catza · 13/04/2026 12:03

Personally, I don't care. One loo is plenty for me and I have no issues with guests using upstairs.
But when I was buying my house, three friends immediately expressed their concerns about not having a downstairs loo.
I didn't buy my house to sell. I bloody well want to live in it so, again, don't care. But if there is a slightest chance you may want to move at some point soon, then I guess you have to go with what the buyer likely to want.

ComradeAmoeba · 13/04/2026 12:03

As a one loo household I would absolutely love a downstairs loo.

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.

ThoughtsOnLife · 13/04/2026 12:02

Presumably you will sell in the future and I can see the positives especially for an older buyer or a family of a downstairs loo. Can't see any downsides to having one.

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 13/04/2026 12:01

For the love of all that is holy get a second loo or alternatively make the person who is against it poo in a bucket in the garden.

MotherofPufflings · 13/04/2026 12:01

What would you do with the space if no downstairs loo?

AnnaQuayRules · 13/04/2026 12:00

It depends on lots of factors. But I wouldn't want to only have one loo if there are more than 2 people living in the property.

sesquipedalian · 13/04/2026 12:00

OP, whenever I have moved house, two loos is the minimum I would find acceptable. You will make your house much easier to sell with two loos, and you will also then not have to have visitors traipsing upstairs. If you have room to put in another loo, I wouldn’t hesitate.

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.

toomuchgoingonhere · 13/04/2026 11:59

Downstairs loo is important and a good asset to the house. IMO

Scarydinosaurs · 13/04/2026 11:59

Absolutely yes to downstairs loo

Original poster
TheBeaTgoeson1 · 13/04/2026 11:58

Not is no downstairs loo.

Being unreasonable is downstairs loo.

OP posts: