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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To remove our en-suite?

134 replies

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 02/05/2019 20:08

We’ve just moved to a new house. Got a bit of money to it up how we like. It’s got an en-suite in the master bedroom that I think takes up a lot of room. I’m not overly fussed about en-suites. I don’t see why builders are so obsessed with cramming one in. Our old one fitted the room ok so we left it. This one is built almost like a cupboard into the room. We would gain a fair amount of room if we took it out. It’s not that functional and we don’t like the suite or decor in it. Would it be a problem though if we ever came to sell? What type of trades people would we need to sort it out if we wanted it removed. Have attached picture of outside to give a rough idea of what it looks like??

To remove our en-suite?
OP posts:
lboogy · 02/05/2019 20:47

Why don't you use the space for wardrobe/ dresser. ? I'm not fussed about en suites either

aprilviolets · 02/05/2019 20:47

leave it where it is! I wouldn't buy a house without an ensuite. One bathroom isn't enough. We have a downstairs loo too. I'd hate to have just one bathroom upstairs.

WeShouldOpenABar · 02/05/2019 20:49

Mine is unacceptably large it annoys me though I do generally appreciate its existence I think they should be a sink and a toilet and no more!
Could you remove the suite and blank off the pipes and leave the plumbing in tact otherwise so you could replace with a cheap suite if you can't sell at a later date. Use the room as a walk in wardrobe instead of removing the door and having an alcove you'll only fill with storage anyway.

Nogoodusername · 02/05/2019 20:50

I love having an en-suite. Every home we’ve had in the last 10 years (3 of them) has had one, even the two bed flat. Wouldn’t buy a property that didn’t have one

DontCallMeShitley · 02/05/2019 20:51

We always have an en suite and a family bath room, it makes life much easier, no waiting about for a shower or bath or wandering about in the night for a pee.

Original poster
Whatelsecouldibecalled · 02/05/2019 20:54

Ooh divided opinions!!

The inside is dated it’s got a pokey sink that doesn’t hold enough water to actually wash your hands properly. The shower is crap and needs replacing and one of those awful corner units with half slidey doors. I’m not a fan.

We have a main bathroom across the way with toilet sink bath and good shower over bath and a downstairs loo. 3 bedroom house. Not massive. Not looking to sell in the near future am hoping for a family one day.

We’ve got lovely living space downstairs including a large kitchen diner and large conservatory so not too worried about en-suite devaluing the house. My main thoughts are should I spend money doing it up and putting new one in when I’m not particularly that arsed about having one. I’ve lived with one and I’ve lived without one before. I’ll google a picture of the shower type...

OP posts:
Original poster
Whatelsecouldibecalled · 02/05/2019 20:55

And yes if we did et rod we would cap off pipes so if one wanted to be installed again it could be.

OP posts:
IdblowJonSnow · 02/05/2019 20:55

If you're gonna be there a while ditch it but leave the plumbing in place. Can we see the inside and does it have a window?

bumtickler · 02/05/2019 20:58

in that case I`d be ditching it!

MyCatHatesEverybody · 02/05/2019 20:59

As long as you have two loos I'd say the ensuite wasn't strictly necessary - however I don't think I'd spend money taking it out unless you're sure you'll live there a long time.

Personally an ensuite is an essential for me as I have very heavy periods so having my own bathroom is a godsend...no running to the toilet to find that a teenager has peed on the seat or hasn't replaced the loo roll.

Pretry · 02/05/2019 20:59

If you are going to have children keep it!

Flobochin · 02/05/2019 21:00

I'd keep the en-suite, how much room
does anyone need in a bedroom ?

whyohwhyowhydididoit · 02/05/2019 21:00

When I was little I only ever saw en suite bathrooms in black and white movies on BBC2 on a Saturday afternoon. To me they were the epitome of wealth and glamour and if I had been told that one day I would have one I would have thought they were crazy. Now I wouldn’t consider buying anywhere that didn’t have one.

Same with a downstairs loo - the lady over the road had one and as far as I was concerned she was pretty much royalty. Now I see it as pretty much essential.

ReallyUselessEngines · 02/05/2019 21:01

Imho it depends on the size of the rooms and whether it feels like a natural part of the house or something crammed in to tick the selling-point box of having an en suite.

Also it depends how many other bathrooms the house has.

Personally I would rather have the space (FWIW we area family of 4 with 1 bathroom and it's fine), but it seems like a lot of people like them. I remember another thread on here where people were agast at the idea of sharing a toilet with their husbands!

KindergartenKop · 02/05/2019 21:05

I'd say it's more about the number of loos in the house. We would struggle with 1. We have a family bathroom and an ensuite shower for 4 of us.

Scardanelli · 02/05/2019 21:09

I'd get rid. Our marital home had 6 bedrooms and three bathrooms (plus two loos downstairs). No en suites, though, as we couldn't see the point of them. Post divorce, I have 3 bedrooms and one poxy bathroom/loo. Gah. I'd love a second loo, but not in my bedroom.

BuzzPeakWankBobbly · 02/05/2019 21:09

I'm with pp who say better a walk in wardrobe than poxy small bathroom.

If you have room for a proper size bathroom as an en suite that's one thing. But most of them are like windowless cupboards.

Also I am perfectly happy to poo a few steps down a hallway and two doors away rather than have it smelling out my bedroom.

Gluetap · 02/05/2019 21:10

I’d do it up as it’s handy to have an extra shower/loo if you have children or will have guests staying. So much quicker than waiting for everyone to shower before you have yours!

Purpleartichoke · 02/05/2019 21:11

I would not want only one bathroom in the house. Would not consider buying a place without at least two toilets. Forced to rent places with only one in my early years and I will not do it willingly again. I always found it inconvenient, but the 5 days everyone in the house had food poisoning were enough to cement my very strong opinion.

Alsohuman · 02/05/2019 21:16

The number of loos is a different issue. I wouldn’t buy a house without a downstairs loo. I wouldn’t say thank you for an en suite.

Notnownotneverever · 02/05/2019 21:18

I hate en suite bathrooms. Why does anyone want to do their business in their bedroom? Confused It baffles me. Toilet business makes your room smell and a shower makes your room steamy. Even with an extractor fan.
I actively look for houses without them, even when renting a holiday cottage. Blergh.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 02/05/2019 21:18

I’d always much rather the cupboard space

HollaHolla · 02/05/2019 21:21

My en suite has been invaluable recently - even though I live alone. I’ve had surgery which has affected my mobility, and couldn’t climb in/out over a bath, in order to shower. Not necessarily the first or most important factor, but being able to get almost straight into a shower has been amazing.

BitOfFun · 02/05/2019 21:23

A downstairs loo under the stairs is more useful, I think.

sanmiguel · 02/05/2019 21:23

Having just waited 40 mins for my DC to finish in the bathroom before I could brush my teeth (our en suite plumbing being fitted, so only bathroom for the family), I really would keep the en suite and use your spare bedroom for extra wardrobes/dressing room.

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