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Housekeeping

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Original poster

Would it be very odd to put a downstairs loo in our utility room?

44 replies

wheelsonthebus · 15/08/2006 14:57

we already have a basin in there which we never use and the room is big enough for a loo which we really want. would it be too horrible?

OP posts:
EvesMama · 15/08/2006 14:57

would you have washer dryer etc still in it?

Bozza · 15/08/2006 14:58

Depends a bit. Does it have a window? Would you make it frosted? Is it like ours and a passage to outside? Would you put a lock on? That kind of thing.

Original poster
wheelsonthebus · 15/08/2006 15:00

good points. yes, it would still have a washing line and machine and dryer in it (and ironing board etc) and no, the ventilation is not great. we would have to improve that!

OP posts:
Marina · 15/08/2006 15:00

Pretty common practice in France to stick your washing machine in a bathroom with loo...you're just doing the same thing in reverse.

I am not totally clear about this but I think there is a building reg which says there must be two closeable doors between a lavatory and a kitchen. Widely not adhered to though - our previous owners took the kitchen/hall door off its hinges so now we only have one door between downstairs loo and kitchen, which seems OK to me.

KathyMCMLXXII · 15/08/2006 15:00

It doesn't seem so weird if you think of it as having your washer and dryer in the downstairs bathroom

wheelybug · 15/08/2006 15:01

my parents have a loo in their utility room. It also has washing machine and drier in there but is not a passage way to anywhere. Having said that, they have just moved the washing machine and drier out and put a shower in instead but it was as above for about 15 years ! Wasn't strange at all.

rabbitrabbit · 15/08/2006 15:01

Not weird. A friend of mine recently moved into a new house which ha exactly that-doesn't feel or look weird at all. Just convenient

MarsLady · 15/08/2006 15:01

I have a loo in my downstairs utility room. Admittedly it's behind a door but I think it's a sensible idea. You can never have too many loos... esp if you have children.

One tip though.......... (before StG tells you) hide the toilet duck!

FioFio · 15/08/2006 15:01

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Marina · 15/08/2006 15:01

And if your existing plumbing means you have to have a macerator loo it is vital that no-one puts a sanitary towel or even tampon down it...

EvesMama · 15/08/2006 15:02

well if your not selling or thinking of, i would do it.if you ever need to sell i would persoanally think it a bit odd...but an extra loo would massivly outweigh washing the dryer going round while having a tinkle!

Original poster
wheelsonthebus · 15/08/2006 15:02

ha marina - always thought i was as sophisticated as the french!

OP posts:
Marina · 15/08/2006 15:03

Something the French definitely don't bother about Fio that has NEVER occurred to me!

FioFio · 15/08/2006 15:04

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Marina · 15/08/2006 15:04

Tbh if I didn't have a downstairs loo I'd seriously consider one in the SITTING ROOM! They are such a godsend, I am so grateful for ours (dd's party at the weekend, six little girls dressed as Belle all wanting a wee-wee at the same time...)

FioFio · 15/08/2006 15:05

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Marina · 15/08/2006 15:06

You know what I mean.

I quite fancy the theoretical possibility of a huge dump while watching the X-Factor

Original poster
wheelsonthebus · 15/08/2006 15:06

might even persuade my dp that everytime he has a pee, he empties the washing machine afterwards

OP posts:
KTeepee · 15/08/2006 15:09

We are hoping to move our washing machine into our new downstairs cloakroom (if it ever gets built). Have come across combined utility/bathrooms before (but not sure if in the UK). Think the reason they are not so common here is the electricity thing someone else mentioned. I have been told we may have to either put the washing machine in a cupboard or have it permanently wired in (like you would a cooker).

maddiemostmerry · 15/08/2006 15:09

We have a downstairs loo in the utility room. Loo, sink, washing machine, tumble dryer, frosted window. Two doors betwwen it and kitchen although we have removed the kitchen door but would rehang if needed to sell.
For us a downstairs loo was essential, many of the houses we looked at had a utility combined loo.
Also have lots of friends who have had cupboard under stairs converted into toilets.

Bozza · 15/08/2006 15:12

LOL at Marina. Took DS and DD to a pirates and princesses party. DD (who is only 2.3) was wearing a slightly too long princess dress and kept asking to go to the loo but then being put off by the dress, and everytime I took DD I had to take her slightly older best friend. And in the end I ended up having to strip DD to get her to perform.

Marina · 15/08/2006 15:13

Those blasted dresses Bozza! It was like having six deranged little meringues bombing round the house, and the static...all of them squeaking away

Original poster
wheelsonthebus · 15/08/2006 15:15

being dim but don't understand electricity thing. we obviously have a load of power points in utility room? would that need to change if we put a loo in there?

OP posts:
Bozza · 15/08/2006 15:16

We were in a working men's club. And it was mainly reception age boys - it was DS's best friend's party but little sister was included presumably because I am friends with the Mum. Was a bit tight in the cubicle, mind you.

Bozza · 15/08/2006 15:17

wheels I think it is because it would become technically classed as a bathroom where you are not allowed power points and also can only have pull cord lights.

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