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Original poster

Bathrooms without windows?

26 replies

Neitherherenorthere1 · 14/06/2025 06:48

Just that really. Yes or no? Looking to buy a house with no window in two bathrooms, including the main family one. What are your thoughts please.

OP posts:

Ineedpeaceandquiet · 14/06/2025 06:51

Even with an extractor fan, I am not keen, a window is best for removing moisture and smells.

Also, find them a bit depressing without natural light.

PersephoneParlormaid · 14/06/2025 06:52

No, never. I would never buy a property where the bathroom/toilet doesn’t have a window you can open.

Openthisdoor · 14/06/2025 06:53

A no from me. I lived in a terrace for a short while and hated having no natural light in the bathroom or being able to throw open the window to let the fresh air in. I never thought it would make that much difference as it’s only the bathroom but it really did for me.

DarlingBudsOfJune · 14/06/2025 07:03

Absolutely not. I've lived in three properties with window-less bathrooms, and hated them so much.

In one flat (where window-less bathroom was the only bathroom), it really, really genuinely got me really down actually.

TulipDaff · 14/06/2025 07:08

Not ideal. I had one in my precious flat and it was fine (good extractor fan) but not a super nice place to spend time. A but cave-like.

It wouldn’t be a dealbreaker on an otherwise-perfect property, but it’s certainly off putting.

Mulledjuice · 14/06/2025 07:11

Obviously a window is preferable but it's a reasonable thing to compromise on. We use the extractor fan and manage to air through the rest of the house.

Most hotel bathrooms have no windows.

Mindymomo · 14/06/2025 07:12

For me it’s more no natural light so having to have lights on. My DS is in a flat with no windows in bathrooms, but they are brightly coloured and the lighting is not too bright, so I could live with that. I also don’t like extractor fans, but you can now get very quiet ones, as these are a must if you don’t have windows. We have dimmer switch in our bathroom which may work for you.

BendingSpoons · 14/06/2025 07:12

I lived in a flat with 2 windowless bathrooms. It was fine and we carried on as normal, including having long baths from time to time. An extractor fan is better than a small window in my opinion. DH is convinced the window causes more condensation around it with the temperature change so we don't often open ours anyway.

repeatingabaselessclaim · 14/06/2025 07:21

Friend's new house has two windowless bathrooms, but she was clever with her decorating: wall art, mirrors, choice of paint colour and lighting, and it is really lovely.
She doesn't miss the window, enjoys the privacy aspect.

Cynicalaboutall · 14/06/2025 07:23

Most en-suites don’t have windows, ours certainly doesn’t, but I go in there to have a shower or a wee. I don’t host dinner parties or relax with a glass of wine, so it’s fine. Fit for purpose even!

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 14/06/2025 08:47

While our ensuite has a window, the family bathroom doesn’t. But it has an extractor fan that comes on automatically whenever the light is on, and it’s never been a problem.
We rarely open the ensuite bathroom window, but the bedroom window is often open and we’ve never had a damp problem in this house.

Radra · 14/06/2025 08:50

I think in a modern house, it's fine as they can be designed to be well ventilated. Less convinced this can be done well in older houses.

I don't really care about natural light while I am on the toilet or in the shower, I would rather it was maximised in other rooms.

Atstritchsitchmitch · 14/06/2025 08:53

Ours has no window, new build /6 years old. We changed for a stronger extraction fan, we leave it on for 10 mins after using the room, we use a dehumidifier in the hall, no mould or smells, I regularly spray the sealant with mould remover as a preventative (but I've always done that even in bathrooms with a window). I'd like a window but its not been a problem.

AwkwardPaws27 · 14/06/2025 08:56

This is ours; we stole a bit of bedroom as there was no upstairs bathroom. The only outside wall is in the shower so I opted for a very good inline extractor fan instead. It comes on with the light automatically.
Five years in, no regrets. No issues with mould, condensation or smells, we just shut the door & the extractor does its job well.

Twoshoesnewshoes · 14/06/2025 08:59

It wouldn’t put me off at all, I have windows in my bathrooms but it seems that it’s a usual compromise.

ScottBakula · 14/06/2025 09:10

O grew up in a house that had a bathroom window but for the past 30 + years I haven't had one .
Tbh I'd prefer a window , I like natural light and ventilation but I can live without it.
I rarely have the extractor on as it's incredibly noisy and runs for 7 mins onec the light is turned back off so it's a waste of electricity and annoying early in the morning and at night.
If I'm having a bath I just leave the door open a bit . No issues with damp or mould.

WildCountry · 14/06/2025 10:10

I have this. Main bathroom no window and downstairs loo no window. I’d rather they did have windows but it hasn’t been a big issue. I was planning to put a light tube thing in to give the main bathroom a skylight but I never bothered in the end as I didn’t miss natural light as much as I thought I would.

BatchCookBabe · 14/06/2025 10:18

I would never buy a place without a window in the bathroom sorry @Neitherherenorthere1 No matter how well it's 'vented.'

DancingFerret · 14/06/2025 10:21

IMO, bathrooms and loos are the rooms which need opening windows - although I appreciate not everyone has a choice or would agree with me.

P0lar0pp0sitePe0ple · 14/06/2025 10:24

I have lived in places with no windows in the bathroom

100% always choose a bathroom with a window

JDM625 · 14/06/2025 10:26

Our old flat had no window in the bathroom. We had a shower over the bath, and the entire wall above the bath was a mirror. It was flush against the wall, not a framed mirror. There was also a mirrored cabinet above the sink.

The mirrors made the room feel much larger and bright, but the actual floor space was tiny. We never had any issues with mould.

BatchCookBabe · 14/06/2025 10:26

DancingFerret · 14/06/2025 10:21

IMO, bathrooms and loos are the rooms which need opening windows - although I appreciate not everyone has a choice or would agree with me.

This. ^ Unless it's some kind of large house turned into flats, or HMO, or a Travelodge, why on earth is there no window in the bathroom?

Wildywondrous · 14/06/2025 10:27

Wouldn't bother me, mine do have windows but I rarely open the blinds in them so they may as well not have windows.

Noiamnotalison · 14/06/2025 10:29

We have this. I prefer it now. We have a good quiet extractor and it does the job. No mould or condensation at all. It’s fully tiled and just a relaxing space. My last house the bathroom had a window which constantly steamed up. Condensation on the window. Mould on the sealant and around the window frame. I think I’ve had the best of one and the worst of the other. Looking to move again next year -and wouldn’t make future decisions based on whether there was a window in the bathroom.

Atstritchsitchmitch · 14/06/2025 15:31

BatchCookBabe · 14/06/2025 10:26

This. ^ Unless it's some kind of large house turned into flats, or HMO, or a Travelodge, why on earth is there no window in the bathroom?

Show quote history

Terrace, 3 bedrooms and bathroom in middle of house ...
Or a bathroom under stairs? Its not rocket science.

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