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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to convert the en-suite to a walk-in wardrobe?

93 replies

binthebathroom · 01/04/2021 20:31

I've grown to hate our en-suite and would much prefer to have some extra storage and a lovely walk-in wardrobe instead. It's windowless, right by our bed and I really don't like or want or need it! But these days everyone seems to want bathrooms in their bedrooms and I don't particularly want to do something that will make the house harder to sell when it comes to it.

For info, the house has 4 beds (officially 5 but it's a tiny box room), a loo on the ground floor, a family bathroom with bath and over-bath shower serving two bedrooms on the first floor and another bathroom with a large walk-in shower on the second floor, plus our en-suite.

Most of the time it's only dh and I. DD uses the 1st floor bathroom when she's back from uni, as do guests when they stay overnight. I really can't see what would be lost from converting it but I've got a nagging doubt that an en-suite is just 'expected' in a master bedroom these days!

WWYD?

OP posts:

WhereYouLeftIt · 01/04/2021 22:30

Personally, I am not a fan of en-suites, unless they are in my hotel room. At home - not so much. Generally because en-suites are small, the light will wake DH up if I need to go in the night (and vice versa), and I don't have a problem going into the hall to reach a bathroom. It's only when I'm away in a hotel that I want an en-suite.

Original poster

binthebathroom · 01/04/2021 22:30

@HikeForward

Also many en suites are lovely, not a ‘corner of the bedroom’. Ours is the other end of a long bedroom, accessed through a dressing room. It has a double shower, big windows, lots of storage for things like make up and personal grooming stuff.

It feels quite private even if DH is in bed.

I hate going out of the bedroom to wee in the night, especially if we have guests over.

Well that sounds delightful but, clearly, the one I'm talking about isn't like that. I'm not sure quite why people with enormous, private en-suites with vast windows at the furthest end of gigantic bedrooms think these are useful comments in the context of the thread?

If someone posts asking for advice on managing eg: a poor relationship do you post about how wonderful your marriage is?

OP posts:

PADH · 01/04/2021 22:30

I don't mind ensuites but I'd rather not have one at all than have one without windows... I don't like bathrooms (or any room in fact) without windows. So I would convert.

Even taking out the window issue, if I had to choose between having an en suite or a walk on wardrobe, I'd pick the wardrobe. Especially with you already having 2 bathrooms.

BlackAlys · 01/04/2021 22:33

@Womencanlift

To me en suite’s are pretty disgusting and would never buy a house with one. A walk in wardrobe is much more appealing and I would love to find that if I was looking for a house

Why disgusting? Genuinely interested why you think this.

PostladyPat · 01/04/2021 22:34

@greatauntfanny

I know someone who did this and her partner came in drunk one night and weed all over her handbags

Ha ha ha ha

Mayorquimby2 · 01/04/2021 22:35

What does your husband think?

PenfoldPenny · 01/04/2021 22:36

Im also team anti ensuite. Given a choice of buying a house with one or one without............ Id choose without.

We live in a 3 bed terrace, one bathroom that has the one loo. Never been an issue so I cant see a reason to have surplus bathroom facilities.
A walk in wardrobe that I could fit out with shelves and cubbyholes for all my clothes and other stuff I would rather wasn't on display - totally awesome!

BooomShakeTheRoom · 01/04/2021 22:38

I've always thought new builds have excessive bathrooms. It doesn't sound like anyone would need the ensuite. I also think, if it's right by your bed, it's a bit gross too. So I'd change it to a walk in wardrobe. Id much prefer that as a buyer personally.

BoJoHoNo · 01/04/2021 22:42

I'd be surprised if it affects the house price that much tbh. The house opposite mine was converted from a 3 bed to a 2 bed years ago and has since sold a couple of times for the same sort of price as other ones on the street that are still 3 beds. They just market it as a 2 bed formerly 3 bed and it doesn't seem to put potential buyers off. You could do as PP have suggested and keep the plumbing in case someone wants to convert it back in the future. Dressing rooms and walk in wardrobes seem to be quite desirable at the moment, so I would go for it.

thebillyotea · 01/04/2021 22:43

I hate going out of the bedroom to wee in the night, especially if we have guests over.

fair enough

I have to say my guests tend to sleep in their bedroom, not stand in the hallway in front of my bedroom door and they have their own bathroom, so it has never been an issue

GOODCAT · 01/04/2021 22:45

I like more distance between bed and bathroom! A walk in wardrobe is brilliant and I would definitely have one over an en suite.

PawPawNoodle · 01/04/2021 22:48

@thebillyotea

I'm absolutely cringing over @withmycoffee's frantic need to ensure everyone knows that they have an en suite just off their L-shaped bedroom.

don't... it's an anonymous forum remember

True but I'm cringing if it's the truth or a lie. Imagine making up that you have a fabulous en suite where the toilet wipes your arse for you but forgetting to give yourself a walk-in wardrobe.

RosesAndHellebores · 01/04/2021 22:50

When we bought our house our bedroom had a tiny shower room with a sloping ceiling at the bog end where you had almost to bend to avoid banging your head on the ceiling. It is now a cupboard for my coats and evening wear.

The bedroom next door (plus a bit of an extension) is now our dressing room and ensuite my bathroom as dh uses the family bathroom.

JackieTheFart · 01/04/2021 22:50

It sounds like you've already got a load of bathrooms, so I say go for it.

I'm looking at houses at the moment - very much not in the normal MN size or price range - most of them don't even have a second WC let alone an en suite, but I have seen a couple where a teeny tiny WC has been shoe horned into the corner of a bedroom. Really dislike it, I just keep thinking of going for a midnight poo (IBS) and having the smell waft out and wake up DH

SophieGiroux · 01/04/2021 22:52

We have an en-suite and I like it. However it is a designated no-shitting zone!

JackieTheFart · 01/04/2021 22:57

What's the point in it then? @SophieGiroux

StoneofDestiny · 01/04/2021 23:05

I'd not buy a house without an en suite - but then ours isn't next to our bed and it's got a window, just as our guest room en suite has. They just make life more private and convenient - especially with guests around etc.
However - your house, do what suits you.

SavannahLands · 01/04/2021 23:29

An En-suite was a 'Must Have' for us when we bought the house we live in now. DH prefared to sleep naked, and as DDs would have friends for sleepover staying most weekends, the sight of meeting him half asleep on our Landing on his way to the bathroom would have been very scarey for them indeed, not to mention embarrassing for him!
We are lucky enough to have a window in our ensuite, so get plenty of natural daylight and enough light from the street lamp to be able to use it during the night without disturbing anyone by putting the lights on.

We still have a walk in wardrobe which is accessed off the landing and forms the Bulkhead over the stairs. It's fully fitted out with shelves and hanging rails, but DH has installed some sliding doors to the hanging area after we were surprised just how much dust collected on the clothes when left open, even when the carpets were regularly vacuumed and the shelves dusted. We do still have fitted wardrobes in the master bedroom for keeping underwear and dressing gowns in, as well as the spare Quilts, Sleeping bags and Blankets ready for the Sleepover gang!

Fuzzywuzzyface · 01/04/2021 23:58

I like having an en-suite but am lucky enough to have a window and I think that is key.

Slightly off topic, put why so you need to put the light on in the middle of the night.. I have never felt the need!
Ultimately it comes down to what you prefer - in our house I have the en-suite and DP and DS are in the family bathroom 😀

SophieGiroux · 02/04/2021 00:41

@JackieTheFart

What's the point in it then? *@SophieGiroux*

The toilet is used for weed, the sink is used for teeth and washing hands and the shower is used for showering. There is a family bathroom next door where shits can be deposited away from the bedroom!

SophieGiroux · 02/04/2021 00:42

That should read wees not weed!

JackieTheFart · 02/04/2021 00:59

Fair enough!

Kintsuji · 02/04/2021 01:02

Was coming on to say don't do it, but you've got enough bathrooms. An ensuite only adds value for me if there's only one other bathroom. If we've got 2 bathrooms and 2 toilets there doesn't need to be an ensuite. I'd prefer a walk in wardrobe.

CuthbertDibbleandGrubb · 02/04/2021 08:49

I'd keep the en suite, unless you are planning never ever to move from the house until your dying days.

ClarkeGriffin · 02/04/2021 09:25

@Oinkypig

I would never buy a house with an en suite (or any bathroom) that was windowless

Same. I scroll straight past. Won't even consider them.

Definitely convert it. Storage space is better and you already have enough bathrooms.

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