Would you rather have a downstairs toilet or laundry room?

[hereismydog]

As above, we have a downstairs toilet that nobody has used in well over a year because the seat is broken and has proved impossible to replace due to its awkward shape and internal fixings.

We haven’t really missed it, so have been toying with the idea of turning it into an all-in-one laundry cupboard, as our washing machine and tumble dryer are in separate areas of the house, but we are worried about resale value if we completely scrap the toilet. There are two other toilets in the house, so we feel three is probably a bit excessive (3-bed house).

So, which would you rather have?

Downstairs toilet but I struggle with the stairs so that's my only reason. Would love a laundry room though 😁

If it’s not working for you as it is at the moment, then do the thing that will help you most - ie, a more practical space for laundry. This will be so important with a baby.
Your priorities may change once you’re toilet training a toddler, though - in which case, turn it back into a loo again.

Definitely a laundry room. We used to have a downstairs toilet but took it out to create a laundry room
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OP, congratulations on the baby. When your little one is mobile I think you might be really glad of a downstairs loo you could nip to, and when the time comes for toilet training it's a nightmare to rush the child upstairs - mine wanted to be grownup and use the loo, not the potty, but very often didn't make it!

Would it be an option to combine the loo and utility? Certainly you could put a new loo in to get round the seat issue, or even swap them round if a loo could be shoehorned into the understairs space?

If you're just about to have a baby, will you potentially need a downstairs loo if you'll be spending more time downstairs - making bottles, breastfeeding, doing laundry... The way you use your house is going to change significantly. Then there's toilet training in a couple of years, and mum friends traipsing in and out, lots of young kids potentially... Are you sure you can't fit both a newer smaller loo and washing machine in there? Food for thought.

Laundry all the way

I have a lootility too, and I love it! It does need to be a room bigger than the one OP seems to have at her disposal, though.

In fairness, we are likely to be in this house for a good 5-10 years as only just expecting our first baby.

I'd definitely be inclined to keep it as a loo then, toilet training will be much easier with a loo on the ground floor.
Could your builder magic up a lootility in the space?
Or make your current washing machine location more accessible?

Toilet. It's such a pain only having one.

We already have a washer/dryer in the kitchen that works perfectly so there's no need to dedicate an entire room to laundry.

Downstairs loo, I don’t want people traipsing upstairs on the carpets.

I had washing machine and tumble dryer under the stairs and built a cupboard around it but actually I dream of having the washer and dryer upstairs so I don’t have to drag it though the house!

You mentioned that your washing machine is currently under the stairs - can you turn that space into a toilet then use the other space as a utility? It's quite common in my area of SW London where space is at a costly premium. Also, do you need a separate washer and dryer, or can you combine them into one? We've never had separates (again, costly area of London!) but I can count on one hand the number of times I've used the dryer function as we dry wet clothes either on the line or in the upstairs bathroom with a good dehumidifier.

As others have said, I wouldn't be rushing to do away with a downstairs toilet simply because you haven't used it until now. How you use space will dramatically change once you've had a baby - our downstairs toilet has had a child seat permanently attached for the last 3 years because my 5.5 year old still doesn't have a big enough bum to use a toilet confidently without one...

I’d stick with the downstairs loo, especially if your first baby is on the way - potty training is hard enough without having to fling the child upstairs to the loo.

This is based purely on my DTs who refused to use a potty for potty training, were scared of the upstairs toilet, and now they’re older, it’s a good way of keeping kids downstairs and not going in to my room where I’ve slung stuff for a play date.

What's a chokey?
Could you change the door to an outward opening to fit more in the room?

Definitely laundry room. We have a utility room (guess the same) and no downstairs loo. I’ve never missed it. We have 2 toilets, one at the top of the stairs, so it seems fine to us.

I would have a downstairs toilet when baby is crawling and you have a stair gate it would be awkward. I never liked having a laundry room right as would sort laundry whilst cooking.

Yep, agree with D/S loo for two main reasons - keeping upstairs private if visitors are there, potty training (v. relevant to OP).

I'm sure you will find a space somewhere more convenient for the washing machine other than losing the loo. What I would do is install those pull down airers in the loo. Great for drying clothes in the Winter, especially if the loo has an extractor fan, and if not, you could stick a dehumidifier in there. Not taking up extra space with the airer as it is up "there"!

You could change the toilet for a small enough outlay. If it's nice to use, you will use it!

I have a lootility (great description!). Ceiling airer, comfort height toilet, small sink, and washing machine, and extractor fan/dehumidifier if needed.

If it were an actual laundry room - not a cupboard for machines - I’d say laundry room as the chance to order ( and hide!) your laundry somewhere is the main draw of a laundry room. But if it doesn’t allow for that I’d get your loo upgraded. It’s nice to be able to offer a loo which isn’t in the bosom of the family sleeping quarters to guests. If it’s only just big enough gif machines, you are turning a room ( cloakroom loo) into a cupboard in terms of resale value.

Honestly you'll be so glad of a loo downstairs with kids, especially when toilet training etc.

You will need the downstairs loo with a toddler.
I would just fix the loo. I’d prefer a laundry room now, but we are past toilet training. If you aren’t a fan of wee on the stairs I’d keep it for now.

https://www.heatandplumb.com/acatalog/delphi-p2-toilet-23701p2rndbb?utm_source=google&utm_medium=Shopping&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw9eO3BhBNEiwAoc0-jSwakKBnpSnCMj1WV0wlcEhafmeTI6VCtLCZq6gUPOq5e7Qc860iNhoCuQ0QAvD_BwE

Could you fit in a washer dryer with one of these sink/loo combos? I had 2 upstairs toilets in my old house and not having one downstairs made potty training a real pain. Little kids don't give much notice of needing the loo!

I would go with a downstairs toilet. But I say this thinking of the future in case I wasn't able to get upstairs easily. But then you could always change it back!

Toilet. Think you can't remove it if you already have one and comply with building regulations. Maybe check with local Building Control.
https://www.labc.co.uk/news/can-downstairs-toilet-be-removed-home#:~:text=It%20is%20advisable%20for%20these,for%20a%20visitable%20toilet%20facility.

Downstairs loo every time, just get it fixed, you will be glad of it when youv4 a kid, glad of it when hosting play dates, and it will maintain its value. I wouldn’t wish a house without a downstairs loo. We have folks here often and I don’t wish them going upstairs,

plus I broke my ankle a few years back and the downstairs loo was a godsend as I couldn’t do the stairs.

Downstairs loo over laundry room. We've some not very mobile elderly relatives and have also had injuries which made going up and down stairs difficult. When I had small children I would have said the same for toilet training. What isn't far for the fit and able might be a bit far for others. So that's why. Although a laundry room is also desirable, if I had to choose it would be loo.

Are you looking to move in the foreseeable future? If not, do what's best for you (which sounds like a laundry room).
Downstairs toilets really only exists for guests or if (like us) your 1930's house only had 1 toilet and when our family grew, it was the easiest option.