Small house solutions anyone?

[PAN44]

So I moved into a smaller house after divorce, a small 1930s 3 bed semi. I have had to put my washing machine under the stairs because there's nowhere to put it in the kitchen (I prioritised the dishwasher!) Which is fine but my teenagers always seem to be in the bathroom and I can never use the loo when I need to...Im wondering about whether I could afford to put a loo under the stairs...but where would the washing machine go? Is there a brilliant solution I've not thought of (throwing the teens out? ) Actually, any brilliant small house ideas at all are very welcome...!

Do you have a garage it could go in? The bathroom?

My ideal would be to have an upstairs utility room and keep all the clothes washing upstairs. I know that probably doesn't help you- I'm just challenging the popular wisdom that washers and dryers must be downstairs.

Hmm, good idea, never thought of that. Will have a think! Thanks.

One of these bad boys in an upstairs cupboard?

A garage for the teen ime..
We had one converted quite basically (no window).. Ds really didn't care!!

Never seen one like reef...thats a really good idea, tho that particular one is a bit out of budget! And yet...

Windy my garage can't be converted for some reason that I didnt really understand, else I might have gone for that. Could maybe put the washer in there, but would it just be a pain not being to hand?

Can you take out a unit and get the washing machine in that way? We have the most ridiculously tiny kitchen, I have a washing machine and a slimline dishwasher. There are four of us so it's on twice a day but I'd rather that than the dishwasher under the stairs.

Maybe I do need to rethink the kitchen inwood...I just feel Im short on storage already so nervous of losing a cupboard, but no doubt someone looking at it with fresh eyes could see how to do it.Perhaps I need to get some one in to take a look, advise and quote

Personally I'd probably keep it as it is and do without the second toilet, but if you want options then think about the following:

• washing machine in kitchen where dishwasher is - then do without dishwasher or get a table-top dishwasher.
• washing machine upstairs / in hallway etc if you have space
• washing machine in shed / garage
• lean-to / extension time use as a utility room?

I've had this problem with my tumble dryer; had it in the shed and upstairs and found neither convenient to be honest. We've just stopped to a combined washer dryer do that it fits in the kitchen and it's so much easier.

I'd just tell the teens to hurry up and stop hogging the bathroom. Or make it a family rule that you need to ask if anyone wants the loo before you go for a long bath or shower.

I had a new boiler in which made the airing cupboard redundant - combi boiler. The airing cupboard now houses the washing machine and tumble dryer. Don't know if that's any help.

My daughter has similar size house ( except it had had a huge kitchen extension) and it came with under stairs loo and small sink
We used to have our washing machine in the garage
It was annoying when the pipes froze and we couldn’t wash as our garage is about 20 feet away

Is the space under the stairs accessible from the hall? If so, could you take out a bit of the wall and replace with a cupboard door and put the washing machine in as low as it can be (and you'll have an even lower cupboard available as well - maybe a pull out drawer to make it easily accessible). You might have to add a little to the cupboard length to fit in the toilet too admittedly and have an outward opening door.

Build a utility room on the side of the house? Could then but the washing machine out there with a shower room inc toilet

To free us storage space could you put in a shelf above the doorway? I've got one in my hallway above the door and we put all our shoes on it, so no shoes on the floor any more. Could have something like that in the kitchen for pans and bowls if you're tall enough to reach a shelf that high?

Free up*

I have a utility room in the garage .. sometimes it's a faff but I go there twice a day if that and I can hang out clothes and leave piles of washing on the floor if I desire . I hate washing in kitchens 🤮..
doesn't bother me.

Is there the slightest chance there is room for a tiny en suite upstairs, in the largest bedroom?

En suite toilet and sink I meant!

Is your garage attached to the house? Could you convert the back third of the garage to either become a loo or a small utility to incorporate the washing machine? You could also keep washing basket, ironing board etc in there.

Have a look on Pinterest for understairs loos etc. Some really good ideas to incorporate washing machines too.

Thanks for all the ideas, I'd not thought of most of these! Lots to ponder!

Could you change to a slimline dishwasher and fit in a washer/dryer in the kitchen alongside and just really pare back your kitchen kit so you don't need so many cupboards? I stored loads of my kitchen kit in the eaves when selling my house recently and preparing to downsize I haven't missed big items like my kenwood mixer or food processor ( a stick blender and hand mixer have worked fine) or a crate full of crockery and massive pans I used to use when we had family/friends round. They'll not be moving with us.

I'm dreading moving to a smaller place due to the loo situation so get where you are coming from. My P wants to buy a small chalet bungalow we saw before lockdown with one bathroom and I can't see where to fit in an extra loo(stairs are in the lounge) so I'm loathe to buy it. 3 DC rather than 1 have decided to move with us . We have 3 toilets at present and often they are all occupied. The showering etc takes hours daily. I'm from a large family and hated my brothers deliberately reading/spending hours in the toilet and making me wait in distress. My friend has a strict rota and time limits for the bathroom in the mornings at her house.