Would you swap a 2nd toilet for a small utility?

[Opos]

Moving soon and the kitchen is about the same size as mine now but we have under counter space for dishwasher, fridge, freezer, washer, dryer.

New place only has undercounter space for one plumbed in appliance, so it's going to be my beloved dishwasher.
Going to have to get a tall fridge freezer for next to cupboards.

Theres no other room in the kitchen for any other large appliances.

There's a downstairs loo that could fit a stacked washer/dryer and some utility shelves of we remove the toilet.

The only other combo is to have washer dryer in the kitchen and the fridge and freezer in the dining room but I really don't want to do that.

We have a downstairs loo in this house now and I never use it. DH mostly uses it at night when he can't be bothered to go upstairs and the kids use it occasionally when someone is in the bathroom upstairs. The kids are all Highschool age so not toddlers.

I feel like it would be a much better use of space to have a little utility rather than just a toilet but I'm thinking about those moments of emergency when someone's in the bath, 😂

But they are rare and I really don't want appliances in my dining room.

Plus there's already a water supply into the room so should be an easy job.

Also Ive never had any space to sort laundry so the little area to fold and put baskets would be great.

Personally I would rather have the toilet. I would try and rethink the kitchen to put the washing machine in, or put it put in the garage if you have one. Failing that I would get rid of the dishwasher.
Wouldn't have fridge in dining room, we had that for a little bit and it drove me mad!

I’d get rid of a cupboard/change the kitchen before I lost the second loo.

After having norovirus in a one bathroom/toilet house.

No.

I would rather the small utility space. I hate doing laundry in the kitchen.

Removing will devalue house and probably wouldn't get building reg approval. Keep the loo! Is there room in or near the bathroom for a washing machine?

No garage. No other spaces. No where in the kitchen for 2 plumbed appliances and I have to have a dishwasher.

Why on earth wouldn't it get approval?

Is there any you you could have a cupboard with a stacked washing machine and dryer on the 1st floor? I wouldn't give up a second loo on the ground floor for a utility room.

Bucket for emergencies. Worked when I was a kid 😂😂😂

Or build a utility room outside (smart shed)?

I’m not sure I’ll be in the majority, but I would have the small utility. It would mean that you could close the door in the noise of the washing machine and tumble dryer, and maybe dry washing in there in a clothes horse or heated airer so that you’re not looking at it round the house in radiators. But that’s the perspective of someone who does all the laundry and likes to close the door on it.

Could you retain the play hint for the loo so that any subsequent owners could more easily reinstate the room as a loo?

You've said you hardly use your existing 2nd loo so surely it's a no brainer?

I remember getting rid of a dishwasher for a tumble dryer, best decision I ever made and one I'd make again if i only had space for one. However the thought of this would terrify most mumsnetters and I remember friends telling me I was making a mistake.

Do what works for your family/house.

We have a really good washer dryer under our stairs. The toilet is a proper room under the high bit and then we have a separate plumbed hole for the washing machine. If you already have the toilet you could maybe have both under the stairs. No sorting area but it is nice not having the noise in the open plan area.

Our back garden is nonexistent. Just a small paved square and we need that for the dogs

Washing machine and dryer in a shed outside? I think it would devalue the house if the only other loo is in the bathroom. It would put me off buying a house anyway.

I’d have the utility. Getting washing out of the kitchen is the dream! No one dreams about loos, except those anxiety dreams where you do a wee in front of a crowd.

Because all new builds have to have a downstairs loo, and removing an existing one would go against the regulations (designed to improve life for older and disabled people - not you, but future residents in your house):

https://www.labc.co.uk/news/can-downstairs-toilet-be-removed-home

Is there any way to reconfigure the downstairs loo? You can put a basin over the toilet cistern to save space. www.victorianplumbing.co.uk/seattle-combined-two-in-one-wash-basin-toilet?campaign=googlebase&pagetype=shopping&includeListing&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8vfMxvzH_AIViIbVCh11YAPXEAQYASABEgLLxfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

If you're confidant you won't miss the second loo then I'd do it. As pp said, if there's a clever way to cap off but retain the plumbing in case anyone wants to change it back in future, that would be smart.

Where do the current owners have their washing machine and fridge?

Also do you have space to install a second small separate loo upstairs as an idea?

I'd do the utility. It's very rare that people are all desperate to use the toilet at the same time and can't wait a few minutes once you are past having primary age children.

Do you have a floor plan you could post?

I can always have a toilet put back in. Nothing is irreversible.

I've done it! Had the loo taken out and the pipes capped off, but not removed. Kept the basin. It has an extractor fan, which is good. The extra space suits us very well, better than another loo would.

They have the washing machine in the kitchen in the 1 space. And a stacked fridge freezer in the kitchen.

Trouble is she has no dishwasher or dryer.

Which I need both of (large family, she is majorly downsizing)