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

[binthebathroom]

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?

Definitely go for the wardrobe. Have your house how it works best for you. Think of the joy you'll get each morning going in and seeing it all organised as you get dressed.

With plumbing still in place I can't imagine it affecting the value or saleability if your house as it would only cost a few hundred to put it back in should the next people want to - and with 2.5 bathrooms already it wouldn't be something they'd have to do straight away

It’s strange because only on MN have I ever come across the opinion that en-suites are disgusting. Bit like the obsession with toilet brushes I suspect.

Anyway, personally I wouldn’t do it and I wouldn’t buy a house that’s had it converted.

I detest en-suites and I think they’ve had their day. They were once seen as a symbol of luxury but once they started being shoe horned into tiny new builds with no storage it became obvious that they’re a waste of space. We’ve got two bathrooms, it’s fine that neither of them are en-suite.

I'm with you OP. En suites are a bit grim. We are buying a house with one through a walk in wardrobe (or walk through wardrobe I suppose!) and I'd prefer to have a close-ish family bathroom across a hall. Not sure why. Doesn't help that house was last renovated in the 90s...

House without en suite wouldn't put me off at all, walk in wardrobes are lush!

En-suites are “grim”

What a load of bollocks.

Do what you like with your house, but what a miserable thing to say.

I like my en suite. A place where I can have a shower and make myself look fresh and beautiful.

Everything has to be such a fucking ordeal on here sometimes.

Kitchens are “grim”. Full of food bits and rubbish bins.

Bedrooms are “grim”. Full of spunk tissues and skin.

People are “grim”. Full of shit and pus.

Cheer up, Mumsnet.

@OwlBasket

Yes, convert it but have the essential plumbing left and boxed in. Best of both worlds.

Do this ^^

We bought our house from a family who planned to have an en-suite but decided that as it is right next to the family bathroom, it would be better as a walk-in wardrobe. This works for us as it’s just me, DH and pre-school DD, and there’s another bathroom on the ground floor. Should we sell and the buyers want a 3rd bathroom in a 3 bed house, they could convert it pretty easily.

gosh, people take others opinion VERY personally don't they!

Posters saying en-suite are grim have a point are not saying YOU are grim!

If I was buying a house that already had 2 bathrooms and a 3rd loo then a walk-in wardrobe would be so much more appealing than an en-suite, go for it OP!

gosh, people take others opinion VERY personally don't they!

I know right?

It’s okay to have differing opinions. I wouldn’t want an en-suite in a million years, but that’s of no bearing to what anyone else does.

Personally I'd much prefer a walk in wardrobe.

I wouldn't buy a 4/5 bed house with no en-suite. I do think it's expected these days unless the house is maybe quite old. You do have another 2 bathrooms though but it might take a few grand off the value. We love ours and use it all the time although not sure I'd like it with no window.

2 bed property 1 bathroom
3 bed, 1 bathroom and possibly a shower room
4 bed, 1 bathroom and a shower room
5 bed - depends on value - higher the value the bigger the rooms tend to be and the better the ensuites.

There's a massive differential between a modest 4 bed home with two bathrooms and a pimped up new 4 bed home with a family bathroom and three tiny ensuites squeezed into sub optimally small bedrooms.

To be fair I do think bathrooms are overdone in smaller properties but I wouldn't underestimate the helpfulness of a downstairs wc and/or shower in a utility. The latter being helpful if a family member becomes ill or breaks a limb.

Nothing grim about an en suite. Heaven knows what makes them grim. It's just a private bathroom - and closer than the family bathroom to your dressing area. 0urs is off our dressing room. Total private luxury in my view, has a window so in no way a second rate room.

However, if you don't want one don't have one.

Lots of buildings haven't got them as they are too old. I found them a godsend when I had children and wasn't fighting for our turn in the family bathroom and now have a house where the guest rooms have them too. Great. I find it less awkward if I have one when staying in other people's houses too, not having to listen out when the family bathroom is free.

I'd definitely never stay in a hotel if there as no en suite off the bedroom.

Not a fan of en-suites tbh.
A windowless bathroom / toilet is a no no from me.
I would rather have a dressing room

Walk in wardrobe definitely. We are currently living in a house where our ensuite shower is being used as a giant washing basket, occasionally I use the toilet at night, but it’s so small I have to sit on the toilet sideways other wise my knees touch the wall, I’m 5’2. I really don’t see any point for it. If it was my own house I’d have it converted.

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?

You asked a question about bathrooms and people answered it? 🤷🏻‍♀️
Lots of posters were claiming all en-suites are disgusting so I was pointing out many en-suites are well designed and well ventilated, and give a level of privacy you don’t get from a bathroom on the landing.

We didn’t even shortlist properties without an en-suite when we bought. Even in tiny rental flats most master bedrooms had nice en-suites with a window. Often at the end of a long narrow bedroom so it didn’t feel like the loo was in the corner. The family bathroom was probably closer to our bed than the en-suite in some flats due to the door positions! And it’s lovely to have a breeze from both sides of the room in hot weather.

Getting rid of the en-suite will be expensive and may make your house harder to sell and cheaper in value.

Some people don’t care about the lack of a window, they just want privacy to do a wee in the night or deal with their period without leaving their bedroom! There’s no rule saying you must poo there too 😂

If you sell the house is likely to appeal to a largeish family so they may feel an en/suite is essential and not want the bother of re-installing one.

Also if your en-suite is so small, how will you fit clothes and rails and shelves in there and still have space to step inside? It sounds like it would make a pokey musty cupboard if it’s as tiny and unpleasant as you make out.

Id look at the walk in wardrobe and compare the costs of putting that back to an en-suite with other properties that hadn’t had them removed. Chances are given the money and disruption needed to return it to its intended purpose I’d not buy the house.

All moot of course if you never intend on selling.

@PolPotNoodle Fear not, I don't a walk in wardrobe, I have an entire dressing room. The wardrobe section of our L shaped bedroom is DHs area, my stuff is all in my dressing room.