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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you sacrifice downstairs loo for better kitchen layout?

38 replies

birdseeder · 01/07/2020 10:57

We have an awkward shaped kitchen and quite a cramped downstairs loo right next to kitchen/back door.
We have 3 loos in house total, upstairs bathroom and an master en-suite.
We have 2 kids (10&7)

I am toying with the idea of sacrificing the toilet to gain some more kitchen space.

Thinking ahead to selling up in a couple of years, would having no downstairs loo in a 3 bed detached be a deal-breaker for you?

Have added a rough diagram of current kitchen.

nb. above the washer/dryer are more cubs, and we have worktops above these for microwave, toaster etc. This utility area is part of a garage conversion my prev owners.

Would you sacrifice downstairs loo for better kitchen layout?
OP posts:
cologne4711 · 01/07/2020 11:17

Normally I would say don't get rid of the downstairs loo, but if it makes the kitchen more usable and you have two upstairs, it won't put buyers off.

Is there anywhere else you could put a downstairs loo at some point?

Is there any way to be more creative with the space generally?

Roselilly36 · 01/07/2020 11:20

Most people want a downstairs loo in a family house.

Ravenclawgirl · 01/07/2020 11:22

I can't see that it would make that much difference. You could probably achieve the same with a different kitchen layout. I wouldn't buy a house without a downstairs loo.

Kpo58 · 01/07/2020 11:24

Keep the downstairs loo! It's really problematic for less mobile visitors and young children to get to an upstairs toilet in time.

Harpischord · 01/07/2020 11:25

I would not buy a house without a loo.

flapjackfairy · 01/07/2020 11:26

How much extra kitchen will it give you ? It doesn't look like much so if that is the case i would leave the toilet in myself.

TheGlitterFairy · 01/07/2020 11:27

I'd keep the loo. Having broken my ankle recently and on crutches for weeks, it was a godsend to not have to navigate the stairs to go to the loo. Doesn't seem as though you'd be able to increase the footprint massively anyway so I'd perhaps get a kitchen designer round to see if you cold utilise the space in the kitchen better rather and keep the loo.

timetest · 01/07/2020 11:27

I love a good sized kitchen but many people see a downstairs loo as essential. Could you squeeze a loo into an under stairs cupboard?

Curiosity101 · 01/07/2020 11:28

Personally I would always need a downstairs loo from an accessibility point of view. If we didn't have one then my grandmother would never be able to visit us as her mobility isn't good enough to go upstairs.

However if you can't think of anyone who needs one in your immediate family and friends and you could put one in somewhere else downstairs (or at least advertise where one could go to a potential buyer), then I'd definitely get rid of it in your situation.

squanderedcore · 01/07/2020 11:32

Yes , no downstairs loo would be a deal-breaker for me. You need one on many occasions - pregnancy, potty training, elderly guests staying, broken links etc.

squanderedcore · 01/07/2020 11:33

limbs not links!

bookmum08 · 01/07/2020 11:35

Not having a downstairs loo wouldn't bother me and I would probably also be wondering how I could change the en suite into another room.
I don't get the obsession with all these loos.

diddl · 01/07/2020 11:40

I've never lived anywhere with a loo on the ground floor!

user1469544430 · 01/07/2020 11:44

Downstairs loo is nice, but personally if you already have two, I'd go for the better kitchen.

But then I have never had a downstairs loo and do not find it 'essential' - managed to potty train some children without one too! Shock

SeaToSki · 01/07/2020 11:47

If the plumbing would work, I would move it to the far end of the utility (against the back wall) with a sliding door, and reclaim its current space into the kitchen

willitbetonight · 01/07/2020 11:47

loo in kitchen is gross so I would get rid. Can you put one under your stairs? Even a macerate one (which I loath) with very tiny sink?

Honeyroar · 01/07/2020 11:50

No. I’d want the downstairs loo. Can’t you redesign the kitchen and have a better layout or bigger cupboards for more storage?

Mumratheevergiving · 01/07/2020 11:58

Friends removed their downstairs toilet to create a bigger kitchen. They regretted it when potty training came around but it sounds like that isn't a consideration for you. Presumably your usual guests are mobile enough to use an upstairs toilet.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 01/07/2020 12:00

Can you do a quick sketch of the whole ground floor? There may be an alternative to the two option of keep/remove.

araiwa · 01/07/2020 12:02

In your circumstance id be ripping it out

A bathroom in a kichen is really grim

Original poster
birdseeder · 01/07/2020 12:24

Thanks all, am reading replies. But am also on a zoom call with work lol.

this is a snip of the floor plan when we purchased

Would you sacrifice downstairs loo for better kitchen layout?
OP posts:
Original poster
birdseeder · 01/07/2020 12:27

not sure if pic attached first time

Would you sacrifice downstairs loo for better kitchen layout?
OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 01/07/2020 12:31

After seeing the floor plan-

Keep the loo. Open the kitchen into the dining room. Close the liv8ng room off from the new kitchen diner.

Then play around with the kitchen once you have the new improved room.

CrystalMaisie · 01/07/2020 12:32

Can you access the study from the hall and block up the doorway between the study and utility, that’ll give you more usable space in both of those rooms.

roses2 · 01/07/2020 12:34

I would keep the downstairs loo but not sure I like the location right next to the kitchen. Any chance of moving it to the utility area?