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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:
ByQuaintAzureWasp · 13/04/2026 13:16

100% to a downstairs loo

Blarn · 13/04/2026 13:18

Definitely one downstairs. I guess if there was a small upstairs en-suite it wouldn't bother me too much but more than one loo is such a bonus. We haven't even viewed houses without a second loo or where one can't be very, very easily put in.

Original poster
TheBeaTgoeson1 · 13/04/2026 13:19

Spinksie · 13/04/2026 12:32

As you’re team loo I’ve voted you are not being unreasonable which contradicts your second post on page 1.
#confusedvoter

Sorry!!! I was more interested in hearing the opinions rather than the poll, I confused myself 🤣

OP posts:
spiderlight · 13/04/2026 13:20

We don't have one and didn't really think we needed one when we first moved here, but now that we have a teenager who can easily spend an hour in the shower in our only bathroom, we have very much changed our minds!

honeylulu · 13/04/2026 13:21

2nd loo definitely especially if the only existing loo is upstairs and 100% if the only existing loo is in a main bathroom. It's an absolute no brainer.
Our old house only had one loo in the only upstairs bathroom. We absolutely loved the house but it was a huge pain when we had guests and then we had two kids (and when the eldest hit puberty he'd be bolted in the bathroom for ages while we hammered on the door thinking we were going to piss ourselves).
We moved house and now have 3 loos and it's great!

You won't regret it honestly.

Headabovetheparapets · 13/04/2026 13:24

Sorry can work out your vote but
2 loos is a big plus for me, wouldn’t choose to buy a house without one (or room to add)

Duvetdayneeded · 13/04/2026 13:24

Yes to loo…. Essential

sunflowersnturnips · 13/04/2026 13:26

Yes to boot room and yes to loo! If you can, have an external door from the boot room too, then mud and shoes don’t even make it in to the house - bliss!

Rainbowdottie · 13/04/2026 13:27

A definite vote for the downstairs loo here. I’ve lived in houses where there hasn’t been one and you think it’s fine. Then you move to one that does have a downstairs loo and it becomes a real need. Not only for guests, small children, but you yourself for when the time comes that you can’t make it upstairs due to ill health or aging. I personally can’t stand guests traipsing up my stairs for the loo. I do have a downstairs one too ( I get the odd person who still wanders upstairs on bigger occasions and the loo is occupied downstairs)
I think if you’ve got the opportunity to get one in, you kinda have to do it. It’s a must for a huge amount of people. I would say don’t design your house for the day you sell it…you must live in it how you want it (I’m currently considering ripping my bath out for just one big luxury shower 🤔) but I think a downstairs loo is becoming…if it isn’t already…a basic standard now in houses

Hellohelga · 13/04/2026 13:28

Two loos are essential in any house. Ones ok in a flat.

Abitofalark · 13/04/2026 13:28

It's hard to believe most think a downstairs loo is unreasonable.

There's no doubt it's an asset in a house and most people would recognise that.

AnneShirleyBlythe · 13/04/2026 13:28

We live in a bungalow with only 1 loo. Would love a second so we can shower in peace! Also DH can’t go to any of our families homes as none have a downstairs loo.

TheDenimPoet · 13/04/2026 13:28

Always yes. It's very easy to think no at the moment, while it's easy to get upstairs etc. But all it takes is relatives, or yourselves, getting older, and suddenly you really do need the ability to use the loo without climbing stairs.

looselegs · 13/04/2026 13:29

Absolutely 1000% yes!
My husband put one in 10 years ago and its the best thing ever! I'm a childminder so its massively useful, but hubby is now disabled and struggles with stairs so it's a life saver.
Have one put in if you can- you never know what's around the corner.....

Piknik · 13/04/2026 13:29

I would not hesitate.

Loo for visitors / children / builders / elderly / emergency double use of loo when both need a wee!

And importantly, for resale. All of the reasons to HAVE a downstairs loo are the reasons people want a downstairs loo and may pass on homes that don't have them.

Dollymylove · 13/04/2026 13:29

A downstairs loo is the holy grail. Easy to nip in, no stairs to climb. Older and less mobile,? Downstairs loo.
Leg in a cast?
Dont want the children trailing mud round the house?
Definitely a downstairs loo!!

fudgesmummy · 13/04/2026 13:30

Absolutely yes to a downstairs loo.
We live in a Victorian property with a downstairs bathroom, no facilities upstairs at all.
We have had to buy a chemical camping toilet for upstairs as my disability means I can’t go up and down the stairs at night ☹️

RedRock41 · 13/04/2026 13:30

Downstairs is needed. What if someone breaks their leg, in later years can’t manage stairs etc not to mention convenience out with what ifs.

Hellohelga · 13/04/2026 13:31

Abitofalark · 13/04/2026 13:28

It's hard to believe most think a downstairs loo is unreasonable.

There's no doubt it's an asset in a house and most people would recognise that.

I think people have voted for another loo.

“Being unreasonable is downstairs loo.”

Cosyblankets · 13/04/2026 13:31

Once you've had one you'd never go back

Nocameltoeleggingsplease · 13/04/2026 13:32

We moved last year from a house with one bathroom, but it was downstairs, to a house with one upstairs bathroom. We’ve put in a downstairs loo. In the other house, there wasn’t anywhere to put a bathroom upstairs (without compromising living space too much or building an extension that wasn’t a priority at the time) but there was a real benefit to not having to have visitors go upstairs to go to the loo. When we moved, we decided to make space for downstairs loo and I really feel the benefit firstly that people (including elderly parents who live in bungalows) don’t have to go upstairs but also actually having 2 loos.
However, we were doing it as part of a whole house renovation; floors up pipework replaced the lot. My lovely new next door neighbour loves what we’ve done but it would be a massive job for her to have the same because of ripping up flooring etc. If that is what is holding back the person who isn’t sure, I get it.

Pugdogmom · 13/04/2026 13:33

There is only me and DH here now. We recently got our downstairs loo renovated so had to do without it for a few days. It was a nightmare...

macaroni234 · 13/04/2026 13:33

If you aren’t going to make your kids move out before they’re teenagers then get the downstairs loo. They spend bloody hours in the bathroom! We also keep spare tooth brushes in the downstairs loo because inevitably they go in the bathroom just before you want to go to bed.

It was also a lifesaver when potty training and for elderly visitors. Crazy not to get one

Mischance · 13/04/2026 13:33

Definitely get a loo downstairs! No reason not to if it is feasible. Convenient for everyone and a big selling point.

Auroraloves · 13/04/2026 13:34

Definitely need two loos

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