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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Settle an argument- downstairs loo or not…?

362 replies

TheBeaTgoeson1 · 13/04/2026 11:58

Please help settle an argument…

Starting on a small renovation. One person thinks that a downstairs loo is important as part of the work, there is space for it.

The other doesn’t see that it adds attraction to a property, and there’s a nice bathroom with loo at the top of the stairs…

Those who have or haven’t got one, who is reasonable?

(It would bring the total of loos in the house to two.)

OP posts:
takealettermsjones · 13/04/2026 12:08

Unless it's a two bed terrace, then yes I'd say put in the downstairs loo!

Credittocress · 13/04/2026 12:08

It wouldn’t bother me if the house didn’t have one. I’d prefer a utility space myself.

TheyGrewUp · 13/04/2026 12:09

I'd say a downstairs loo, if physically possible, is essential. Soo helpful for potty training and when dd broke her leg very badly it was a lifesaver.

StrictlyCoffee · 13/04/2026 12:09

We don’t have one and it’s a big miss in this house, I’m now looking at how we can fit one in.

Ohpleeeease · 13/04/2026 12:10

Downstairs loo without a doubt. It is definitely a feature that will add value to your property - no brainer.

Original poster
TheBeaTgoeson1 · 13/04/2026 12:10

Credittocress · 13/04/2026 12:08

It wouldn’t bother me if the house didn’t have one. I’d prefer a utility space myself.

My idea is if someone in the future preferred utility it would be easy swap to laundry room / utility.

OP posts:
StrictlyCoffee · 13/04/2026 12:11

Whyarepeople · 13/04/2026 12:02

In Ireland it's a requirement that new houses have a downstairs loo with a wide enough door to fit a wheelchair. It is madness not to have a downstairs loo - if someone breaks a leg or becomes incapacitated then they're screwed.

My mum didn't put a downstairs loo in her renovation and years later her mum couldn't visit her because of lack of access to a toilet. Her mum is now dead but she mentions it over and over - it upset her a lot not to be able to host her mum in her later years.

We are in this position with my mum

She can get into my house but we have no downstairs loo

My sister does have the loo but mum can’t get into her house.

unfortunately by the time we manage to get one I’m not sure my mum will be able to benefit as she’s nearly 80 as it is

Newyearawaits · 13/04/2026 12:12

Downstairs loo is an absolute plus.
I know that if I live to old age with reduced mobility, I can stay where I am.
One of my family members lives in a big house with only one toilet, sooooo inconvenient.

Inertia · 13/04/2026 12:12

I’d go further and say that if you have space for a boot room and the space under consideration would otherwise be unused, can you fit in a downstairs shower room with loo?

We did this and use it loads - saves trailing muddy/ wet / grass covered clothing upstairs after walks/ cycling/ gardening/ messy or wet outside work.

Renter2026 · 13/04/2026 12:13

Team Downstairs Loo here!

Original poster
TheBeaTgoeson1 · 13/04/2026 12:13

Yes also to add, it would have shower, mainly for dogs and wetsuits. That’s part of my idea!

OP posts:
StrictlyCoffee · 13/04/2026 12:14

We got our bathroom redone 5 years ago and it was rubbish having no decent loo. Whilst we were left with a loo at night to use there was no door on the bathroom and no lights. I drove me and 2 kids to the supermarket before it shut at 10 so we could do our business! A downstairs loo would have been such a help.

Tinytimmy123 · 13/04/2026 12:14

Downstairs loo every day of the week. Mad if you dont. As someone has said if you break a leg it will be a lifesaver.
If you have children as in small kids you will be glad of it than having to go up and down stairs all the time.
Also handy if you get elderly visitors to stay or visit.
Not to mention if any visitor needs the loo they wont have to go upstairs into the more private area of your house to use the toilet.
It will add value to your home.

KimberleyClark · 13/04/2026 12:15

Team downstairs loo.

Inertia · 13/04/2026 12:15

No utility changes things - how much space are you talking about?

Can you combine a utility room with a sectioned-off loo & basin?

Boot room would be the lowest priority- boots and coats can go in a cupboard somewhere, they don’t need a whole room to themselves.

purplecorkheart · 13/04/2026 12:16

As someone who lived in a house with only one loo growing up and now in a house with three I would say a big big yes to the downstairs loo.

TeenLifeMum · 13/04/2026 12:16

For me, a 3 bed house ideally needs 2 loos (whether that’s upstairs or downstairs). Anyone who has had a sickness bug in the house with dc will want more than one loo.

HoppityBun · 13/04/2026 12:17

Yes!

RitaFires · 13/04/2026 12:17

Downstairs loo makes sense in terms of personal comfort and for resale.

Original poster
TheBeaTgoeson1 · 13/04/2026 12:17

Inertia · 13/04/2026 12:15

No utility changes things - how much space are you talking about?

Can you combine a utility room with a sectioned-off loo & basin?

Boot room would be the lowest priority- boots and coats can go in a cupboard somewhere, they don’t need a whole room to themselves.

Thanks! We have an enormous garage / utility already which is why we aren’t doing utility room ☺️

OP posts:
Error404FucksNotFound · 13/04/2026 12:18

Absolutely yes to the second loo.

HoskinsChoice · 13/04/2026 12:19

For me, it's not just about house selling and the future it's about your own current circumstances. If you have guests around life is so much easier if you have an accessible downstairs loo so that you can keep your upstairs fully private.

Illbethereinaminute · 13/04/2026 12:19

We have one but barely ever use it because it's a dumping ground for stuff that needs to go somewhere else.

I would prefer to turn it into a laundry room but it's not cost effective if we then have to turn it back to sell/if we need it for whatever reason.

However, we don't really have people over and when we do they usually end up going upstairs because the downstairs is full of crap. Plus we have an ensuite too.

I like having one but it's not a massive deal breaker if I could use it for something more useful.

Notmyreality · 13/04/2026 12:19

All houses should have a minimum of 2 loos, one up, one down.

maggiecate · 13/04/2026 12:20

Team Downstairs loo! Especially if you’re planning for it to be your forever home. If you have mobility issues in the future it will be an absolute godsend, especially if you’re putting in a shower as well. My mum had to move downstairs eventually and having the downstairs loo was one of the factors that enabled her to stay at home rather than go into care.