Page 5 | Settle an argument- downstairs loo or not…?

TheBeaTgoeson1 · 2026-04-13T10:58:25+00:00

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.)

LandSsmum · 13/04/2026 18:09

Couldn’t be without ours with the hours my teen spends in the upstairs bathroom

HotRootsAndNaughtyToots · 13/04/2026 18:04

#teamloo

ThatFlakyGuide · 13/04/2026 18:04

Definitely useful to have one downstairs - also means visitors don’t have to go upstairs so less tidying 😂 two toilets is always good to have especially with kids!

nickelbabe · 13/04/2026 18:01

Definitely put in a downstairs loo.
Definitely definitely definitely

Coffeeismyfriend1 · 13/04/2026 17:56

I wish we had a second loo as my 4 year old ALWAYS decides she needs to go as soon as someone else sits down on ours! And she’s always desperate so stands there telling you as much! I need one installing before they are teenagers!

CalpurniaJones · 13/04/2026 17:41

Yes, Yes, Yes to a second loo and if you can squeeze in a shower, even better!

I live alone and only have the one, very small bathroom upstairs, so most of the time it's not an issue (although I agree with the potential problem of reduced mobility when I'm older).

However, even now, when I have anyone staying over, it's a nightmare for everyone with just the one loo. Have had to cross my legs on more than one occasion! It's the first thing I would change if I had space for a downstairs loo, which sadly I don't.😢

AquaShark · 13/04/2026 17:35

Two loos and one of them downstairs will always make a property more saleable.

Funnywonder · 13/04/2026 17:35

godmum56 · 13/04/2026 16:42

People like the convenience.
oh I see what you did there

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Ha, I didn’t realise🤣🤣

Usernamenotav · 13/04/2026 17:34

I'd never buy a house without a downstairs toilet

NeedWineNow · 13/04/2026 17:17

FrostyPalms · 13/04/2026 16:40

I think having two loos in a house instead of one is a huge advantage. But more importantly, what if one of you is injured and can't do stairs temporarily? That has happened to me a couple of times and I'm only in my early 50's. You never know when you might blow out your knee for example.

@FrostyPalms Agree with this as this was me a few weeks ago. I was on crutches and had to sleep downstairs as I couldn’t manage our stairs. I would have really struggled had we only had an upstairs bathroom.

letshavetea · 13/04/2026 17:08

Definitely have the downstairs loo. Put a shower in if you can. I’m about to have a knee replacement and am so glad we have both!

Skudahoo · 13/04/2026 17:07

ThatLilacTiger · 13/04/2026 14:57

I wouldn't even view a house with no downstairs toilet. The minimum is a full suite upstairs with shower over bath and a toilet and sink downstairs. It's a waste of money renovating a home and not adding this important feature in.

Same. We have zero interest in making alterations to properties and wouldn't even look at a house online with no downstairs loo, never mind bother to view it in rl.

SwirlyGates · 13/04/2026 16:59

You don't mention how many people are in your household. We've found that with 3 or 4 people, if we are staying somewhere with only one loo, it's a pain all leaving the house together. Everyone wants to use the loo before we go out, we need to wait for the flush to refill between people, then by the end the first person needs to go again...

SwirlyGates · 13/04/2026 16:56

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.

Even worse if someone is in the bath for an hour!

A second loo is a major plus; a downstairs one even better.

BeaLola · 13/04/2026 16:50

Definitely have a downstairs loo ,so handy to have a toilet in each floor , works for guests etc

catipuss · 13/04/2026 16:46

We used to have one loo, when we extended I insisted on one loo per person living in the house, which was three at the time, never regretted it, no queuing or knocking doors....

And a downstairs loo means you don't have to let visitor's go upstairs!

BMW6 · 13/04/2026 16:45

A downstairs loo will add value to your home so absolutely worth the expense to fit.

godmum56 · 13/04/2026 16:43

PicaK · 13/04/2026 16:41

I can't stand downstairs loos - think they are grim. But I'd never voice that thought in public cos I'm well aware 99.9% of the population disagrees. So your other half is definitely completely in the wrong.
Tell him to imagine one of Sarah Beeney's goggled eyed are you absolutely mad? faces!

why are they any grimmer than any other loo?

godmum56 · 13/04/2026 16:42

Funnywonder · 13/04/2026 16:25

My mum ONLY had a downstairs loo as she lived in an old terrace that used to have an outside toilet before one was built into the house. We eventually got an upstairs toilet put in for her so that she didn’t have to go downstairs during the night. If you have the space for a toilet on each floor, definitely go for it. People like the convenience.

People like the convenience.
oh I see what you did there

PicaK · 13/04/2026 16:41

I can't stand downstairs loos - think they are grim. But I'd never voice that thought in public cos I'm well aware 99.9% of the population disagrees. So your other half is definitely completely in the wrong.
Tell him to imagine one of Sarah Beeney's goggled eyed are you absolutely mad? faces!

Jiski · 13/04/2026 16:40

I’d kill for a downstairs loo. They add value and convenience. New houses always include one.

FrostyPalms · 13/04/2026 16:40

I think having two loos in a house instead of one is a huge advantage. But more importantly, what if one of you is injured and can't do stairs temporarily? That has happened to me a couple of times and I'm only in my early 50's. You never know when you might blow out your knee for example.

Dragonscaledaisy · 13/04/2026 16:38

SerendipityJane · 13/04/2026 13:47

Downstairs loo helps makes a property much more accessible for a wheelchair user.

Yes - it's important the bathroom meets current regs regarding wheelchair accessibility.

DivorcedButHappyNow · 13/04/2026 16:35

A second loo without any doubt!

NeedWineNow · 13/04/2026 16:32

We’re in a Victorian cottage with a downstairs bathroom only. To be honest it is an absolute godsend, particularly when you come flying in the door bursting and you don’t have to charge up the stairs. On the other hand of course you need to go downstairs if you need to get up in the middle of the night. That’s okay for us but not my partially sighted elderly mum so it’s difficult to host her now.

I would say if you are renovating then definitely put in a downstairs loo.