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Original poster

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

136 replies

Opos · 14/01/2023 20:28

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.

OP posts:
SpaceshiptoMars · 14/01/2023 21:51

Small basin either beside W/D or over loo. Shelf over cistern with electrics, switch outside the door. Press switch, shelf lowers. Press switch again, shelf returns to base.

Elastic fitted cover over wash basket. Tip diagonally to get it through the door and onto the lowered shelf.

Floralnomad · 14/01/2023 21:53

If the kitchen is the same size as your current kitchen just take out the bottom cupboards and put your appliances in like they are now as you are obviously used to not having lower cupboards.

Britinme · 14/01/2023 21:53

My husband is an architect and I showed him your diagram and he points out that you could just move the door to the middle of the space and then you could walk in and the loo would be on your right and the washing machine/dryer on your left. That would be no more expensive than doing any of the other things you've talked about and would preserve the second loo.

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caringcarer · 14/01/2023 21:56

I'd remove two base kitchen cupboards and put in washing machine and dryer.

Neversaygoodbye · 14/01/2023 21:57

We have a utility and downstairs loo combined, although it does also include a sink and it works really well. I never sort and fold laundry in there though, just unload and take it upstairs where I sort and dump into the appropriate bedrooms (teenagers).

fairlygoodmother · 14/01/2023 21:59

could you fit washing machine in the upstairs bathroom? I wouldn’t get rid of downstairs loo.

Silvercatowner · 14/01/2023 22:00

I'm in the 'don't get rid of the 2nd loo' camp. When you need a 2nd loo you REALLY need it.

Original poster
Opos · 14/01/2023 22:00

caringcarer · 14/01/2023 21:56

I'd remove two base kitchen cupboards and put in washing machine and dryer.

I'd need 3 removed for washer dryer and dishwasher. There's not the room for it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Opos · 14/01/2023 22:01

fairlygoodmother · 14/01/2023 21:59

could you fit washing machine in the upstairs bathroom? I wouldn’t get rid of downstairs loo.

It's too small.

OP posts:
isthisit83 · 14/01/2023 22:02

Opos · 14/01/2023 21:20

I could leave the toilet and still put the stacked washer dryer in there with no folding space.

But that feels VERY unhygienic

You should do this. It's not unhygienic and you can fold elsewhere? My washer and dryer are in our large cellar and tbh I always bring the washing upstairs to fold and put away.

MaggieFS · 14/01/2023 22:02

Britinme · 14/01/2023 21:53

My husband is an architect and I showed him your diagram and he points out that you could just move the door to the middle of the space and then you could walk in and the loo would be on your right and the washing machine/dryer on your left. That would be no more expensive than doing any of the other things you've talked about and would preserve the second loo.

This, plus could you swap the loo for one of those ones which has a sink built in above the cistern? MIL has one and it works well.

Original poster
Opos · 14/01/2023 22:03

Floralnomad · 14/01/2023 21:53

If the kitchen is the same size as your current kitchen just take out the bottom cupboards and put your appliances in like they are now as you are obviously used to not having lower cupboards.

The room is the same size but the kitchen layout is much different and the actual kitchen units and worktop is smaller. It's a completely different shape.

I could get one more appliance under but not the 3 I need.

OP posts:
Original poster
Opos · 14/01/2023 22:05

I can't afford to have that done.

My BIL is a plumber and would have removed the toilet/plumbed washer in for free.

Moving a door will cost alot!

OP posts:
MarieKlepto · 14/01/2023 22:06

I'd do whatever works best for you and your family. Same as a downstairs loo with a small or over cistern basin would work best for us. For the washer I'd just remove a 600mm carcass from the kitchen (assuming one is going spare and bung it in there). I know you say you are only plumbed for the dishwasher but it's an easy job to extend or t-piece in to the existing waste pipe. Also, looking at your drawing, I'd put a corner loo where the shelves in pic b are and shelve over the washer. I'll shut up now before I try to remodel your whole bloody house . . . 😁----

titchy · 14/01/2023 22:06

Can you post a floor plan?

Britinme · 14/01/2023 22:06

Actually now I look at that space, you could put in a sliding door (we have one into our downstairs loo, which also has a washing machine and dryer in, but it's a bit bigger than yours so it has a hand washing sink too.

ItsNotReallyChaos · 14/01/2023 22:07

Is there room for the washing machine in the main bathroom? I've seen this done before

Tomblibooz · 14/01/2023 22:08

I'd personally value the utility space over a downstairs loo, and that's as someone with young kids.

However I would suggest that you get rid of the tumble drier and buy yourself a dehumidifier instead. Much cheaper to run and much smaller too.

Original poster
Opos · 14/01/2023 22:12

titchy · 14/01/2023 22:06

Can you post a floor plan?

I can't afford any structural reconfigurations so I don't think there's any point?

OP posts:
Chipsahoy · 14/01/2023 22:15

I have a massive utility… not a brag..just to say that even though it’s big, I literally just dump the washing into a basket and take it upstairs.
Go for both toilet and washer and dryer. You don’t need a space to fold.

ehb102 · 14/01/2023 22:18

We did this at my dad's house. Had a weird loo with no sink. It's fine when he is on his own but not when he isn't. I'd say don't do it if you avoid it. Or put in another loo and basin elsewhere.

Angelofthenortheast · 14/01/2023 22:22

OMG no don't give up the second toilet.

Its an absolute nightmare sharing one. Especially if anyone in your house at anyone point ever has food poisoning...

pocketvenuss · 14/01/2023 22:28

So you can fit a stacked washer dryer in with the loo but you won't because it feels unhygienic? Why? As soon as clothes are washed and dried they come out. What possible issue is there?

titchy · 14/01/2023 22:31

Well someone might have a suggestion that you haven't thought of. Up to you - sounds like you've made up your mind.

Hobbesmanc · 14/01/2023 22:33

Angelofthenortheast · 14/01/2023 22:22

OMG no don't give up the second toilet.

Its an absolute nightmare sharing one. Especially if anyone in your house at anyone point ever has food poisoning...

But millions of smaller homes and flats on,y have a single loo and cope fine. Especially as the kids are teenagers now. Mumsnet posters do seem to have high expectations for their homes. Terraces houses often still have the only bathroom downstairs. Let alone a second loo

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