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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To remove the ensuite?

124 replies

StayOrGoOrWhat · 15/06/2021 21:55

After reading another thread on here, I’m really surprised about how many people have said they hate en-suite bathrooms! It got me thinking… we love our house but the house bathroom is a pokey little cupboard. The previous owners crammed an en-suite into the master bedroom but this means that we have barely any storage space and are left frequently walking into the bed because there’s hardly any space around it. There’s no space for a beside table on my side.

So, is it unreasonable to have one tiny bathroom and a decent sized main bedroom or would you keep the en-suite? There is no downstairs loo although we are thinking of adding one but it wouldn’t be anytime soon.

OP posts:
Dora33 · 15/06/2021 22:22

I would definitely keep it, especially as the other bathroom is small. I wouldn't buy a house with only 1 bathroom.

StoneofDestiny · 15/06/2021 22:23

I don't get the 'grim' thing either. It's just another room. Mine is through a dressing 'room' corridor and is the opposite end from the bed, with a large window and fully tiled.
Our main guest room has one too - similarly placed and it makes having guests so much easier. No bumping into guests in the hall taking your place in the queue for the bathroom.

Blossomtoes · 15/06/2021 22:24

I’d get rid of it but you do need a downstairs loo.

LizzieSiddal · 15/06/2021 22:28

I really don’t like ensuites unless they are a good size, however with 4 of you in the house I would not get rid of yours unless you can put another loo somewhere else.

wherewildflowersgrow · 15/06/2021 22:28

Yabu! I love my small en-suite.

TheGoogleMum · 15/06/2021 22:29

I like our en suite! House was built with it there so it's not tacked on. It wasn't something essential but nice to have. There is no way I'd buy a house with just 1 toilet! I can see the merits of a bigger bedroom instead though (but 2 toilets still essential)

Hallyup6 · 15/06/2021 22:31

I think it depends how big your house is. I grew up with 4 of us in a 3 bed with one bathroom and no downstairs loo and it was fine. My parents still live there and have since added a downstairs loo though.

I'm also one who hates ensuites and we've just redesigned our house to remove the ensuite but have two separate bathrooms and 4 bedrooms on the first floor. It'll stop the kids trailing through my bedroom to go for a poo.

I'd much rather have bedroom space if I was in your house, I think. If you could fit a downstairs loo in eventually then that's all you need and it absolutely wouldn't put me off buying a house with no ensuite.

BarbarianMum · 15/06/2021 22:32

I dont like internal en suites but an ensuite with a window is literally a bathroom that opens into a bedroom rather than the hall.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 15/06/2021 22:34

It depends on the size of the house.

I love my ensuite. It's a proper full bathroom with a large bath, shower, sink toilet etc, decent sized window, and the remaining bedroom is huge so it's not taking out of the space.

If I were looking at a small 2 bed house with a tiny windowless en suite carved our of a room leaving less space for storage, I would think it was pointless.

But if I was looking at a big 3 or a 4 bed house and it only had one tiny bathroom with no separate en suite or down stairs loo, I would not buy that. Our house actually has a smaller en suite off the spare room too, I think everyone on mumsnet would hate it but I love it.

Hotcuppatea · 15/06/2021 22:35

I love my ensuite, but it is part of a spacious loft conversion bedroom. I might love it less if it felt pokey.

Original poster
StayOrGoOrWhat · 15/06/2021 22:39

I actually love the little en-suite btw, it’s so handy having the second shower/toilet. And then I come out and walk into the bed!! Haha! I can’t decide whether I would love the space and storage more.
We have planning for a porch and are thinking of putting a toilet there (even possibly a shower, who knows?!). Maybe once that’s in place we could knock it out and have FREEDOM to move around the bedroom!!

OP posts:
MustDust · 15/06/2021 22:41

Can the en suite not be reconfigured so the door is facing into the room? Seems a waste of space having it open where if is unless I'm reading the diagram wrong.use the space where the door was for a walk in closet.

Original poster
StayOrGoOrWhat · 15/06/2021 22:42

@MustDust

Can the en suite not be reconfigured so the door is facing into the room? Seems a waste of space having it open where if is unless I'm reading the diagram wrong.use the space where the door was for a walk in closet.
That’s the same thought I’ve been having lately too. Crap wasted space outside the door.
OP posts:
SchrodingersImmigrant · 15/06/2021 22:49

I can't get over a master bedroom where you can't even fit 2 bedside tables 😔

Yea as pp said, keep it until you have second toilet downstairs since it's 4 of you.

BogRollBOGOF · 15/06/2021 22:51

We plan to scrap an en-suite and nearly double the size of the pokey main bathroom.

The house was extended and we got a good bedroom and ensuite out of it. Our old room is an OK double room, and has a decent size but ancient and decrepit en-suite. It's not worth doing it up just for guests and it'll free up the wall space where the door is in that room and we'll all benefit from a more spacious main bathroom.

It's your own home. Do what makes you comfortable.

Seashor · 15/06/2021 22:55

I wouldn’t buy a house without an en suite, it’s a total must have for me. There’s nothing grim about them at all. During the night they are absolutely fantastic! I honestly don’t understand the nose turning up at them.

Gertie75 · 15/06/2021 23:00

I agree with the comment about moving the door and using the space for storage, regarding the bedside table, would you have room to put a little shelf, big enough for a clock and your phone?

I'd definitely keep the ensuite though with 4 people in the house.

Wannabegreenfingers · 15/06/2021 23:02

I don't get en-suite hatred. I bloody love mine. If it doesn't work take it out, but with two other bedrooms if you have children that additional loo/shower will be a godsend.

earthyfire · 15/06/2021 23:03

I have two ensuites, plus a family bathroom. We built a large extension so our bedroom is very big with a good sized ensuite with bath and shower but I would now prefer it to be a walk in wardrobe, my teen and my husband on the other hand love the ensuites so disagree with me. We are thinking of selling and have been advised to leave it alone.

hibbledibble · 15/06/2021 23:06

In a three bedroom house, buyers will want at least an extra WC, if not a bathroom. If you remove the en suite then you are most likely taking value away. Fine if it's your forever home, but not if you plan on selling. As a family of four, the extra bathroom will definitely be useful as the children become older.

Original poster
StayOrGoOrWhat · 15/06/2021 23:09

@Gertie75

I agree with the comment about moving the door and using the space for storage, regarding the bedside table, would you have room to put a little shelf, big enough for a clock and your phone?

I'd definitely keep the ensuite though with 4 people in the house.

Actually, the main problem is that there’s a sloping wall next to the bed which I think must have originally been for a downstairs chimney or something but it has no purpose now. If we took it out, there would be more space on my side. As it is, I have space to walk down the side of the bed and I have a lamp clipped onto the bed.
OP posts:
rooarsome · 15/06/2021 23:09

I like to have another loo, but would always go for a house that had it downstairs as opposed to an en suite. I can't stand them. I'd also prefer more space in the bedroom

MedwaymumofMany · 15/06/2021 23:10

We just extended our house. Rather than have a master with en-suite we added two double bedrooms and another family bathroom. It has to work for you as a family. Too many people think about their houses as asserts rather than a space you should comfortably living in that suits you.

Oysterbabe · 15/06/2021 23:12

There's no chance I'd take it out before you've put another toilet in downstairs.
I love our ensuite but bedroom is huge so no space issue. I'll definitely be grateful for it once the kids are teens, I'm not fighting with them over the shower in the morning.

Pinuporc · 15/06/2021 23:16

This is the first thread about ensuites where just as many people like/dont mind them!

Swipe left for the next trending thread