Downstairs toilet versus coat cupboard

[CatBattersea]

We are currently renovating our 4 bed house and have just enough space for a downstairs toilet and sink or a coat cupboard. We will have a family bathroom with toilet upstairs and an en-suite bathroom with toilet in the attic.

We don't have children yet but plan to. I'd love to know what Mums would choose with this small downstairs space - a downstairs toilet or a coat cupboard. And for those recommending the downstairs toilet, I'd love to know where you would recommend putting coats/shoes etc (we have a narrow corridor by the front door).

Thanks in advance for your help!

Loo, no question!

Toilet. You can be clever about hooks, as nobody really minds brushing up against the odd coat sitting on the loo.

With shoes you can get pretty skinny storage. Ikea has some brilliant shoe storage things that take up just a few inches and people often put a thin shelf on top to make a hall table that actually fits narrow corridors. If you search "ikea shoe storage hack" on google Image Search it's a revelation!

Toilet for all the reasons everyone else listed
Really recommend this for shoe storage
www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/70178170/
We took the towel rail radiator out of our (tiny) downstairs loo and replaced it with this cabinet, and it hardly take up more space than the rad did.
It holds about 10 pairs of shoes, and can be wall mounted or floor mounted

Yes that's the thing! Amazing.

Yes they are good. Also we didn't want to add more piping on the other wall for a sink

Just love that loo/sink combo!

I don't know about other families but we've found that, in practice, people tend to use broadly the same jacket or coat on a daily basis - eg for storing near the front door. You may find it useful to work out what you really need downstairs in the way of coats and shoes and what could really be stored easily elsewhere. People often have too many things 'out'.

To the people who ask about building regs. It was changed about 10 years ago for disabled access. Not necessary wheelchair but people who use sticks or even temporary crutches.

Toilet. Every time.

MrE

Is that for domestic properties though?

We had a large under the stairs cupboard we made into a bathroom (toilet and sink) and it was fab when dd started toilet training no running up and down the stairs!

Only ever had 2 mishaps
First one was dh friend nip to Loo then came out and said think dd has had an accident I went in and there was shit everywhere god love her she tried

2nd was we couldn't get a standard Loo we had to get a saniloo and dd was putting kandoo wipes down and it choked it up and I had shit pouring out everywhere bathroom and hall! And my insurance plan I had didn't cover the saniloos!

Yes, the intent is as people age they won't be forced to move house.

Interesting, MrE. Thanks.

Thank you VERY much to everyone who has responded to my original question. In the end we came to a compromise. We have put in all the necessary pipes for a future loo and sink but will use the space as a coat cupboard for now. We have a deal with our builder to put in the toilet, sink etc at a later stage if we decide on that route once we have kids. And if we don't do that, future buyers will be able to convert the space more easily. Thank you everyone!