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Original poster

Downstairs loo - should we bother?

37 replies

PhoebeLaura · 27/10/2011 13:50

We are currently planning a kitchen extension which will give us a big kitchen/diner plus snug/playroom off it (I know, I'm very lucky ). We weren't going to bother with a downstairs loo but we've just had some advice from an interior designer who has suggested we put one under the stairs. This would mean we would loose some kitchen storage as the washer and dryer would have to be moved into the kitchen.

I've never had a downstairs loo so am not that bothered and would prefer more kitchen storage but I can see the appeal especially as I have 2 young DCs and I can see that people might expect one when we sell. Do you think it is a dealbreaker? The house is 4 bed and already has 2 bathrooms.

OP posts:

mousyfledermaus · 27/10/2011 13:52

do it!

NickNacks · 27/10/2011 13:54

It's one of my top criteria when looking at houses especially a 4 bed if you want it to be more appealing for a sale at some point.

mrspear · 27/10/2011 13:55

Yes a loo downstairs is for guests and to be honest i would have thought all 4 bed houses would have one

natashakaplinkyplop · 27/10/2011 13:57

Definately do it, a downstairs loo is on my new house wish list.

Original poster

PhoebeLaura · 27/10/2011 13:58

Blimey that was quick... hmmm it seems that I'm the only one not bothered about a downstairs loo! We will want to sell in a few years so I guess I should listen to you all

OP posts:

ASuitableGirl · 27/10/2011 14:01

I would be happy without a downstairs toilet tbh and would prefer to have washer and dryer not actually in the kitchen. But looks like I might be alone in this thinking

natashakaplinkyplop · 27/10/2011 14:05

Could you not have a little utility room squeezed in somewhere, for your washer etc?

Original poster

PhoebeLaura · 27/10/2011 14:06

no, not really room for a utility. We are squeezing everything we can out of a London terrace!

OP posts:

Sidge · 27/10/2011 14:09

I wouldn't buy a house without a downstairs loo regardless of how many bathrooms are upstairs.

I'd rather have a downstairs loo than a separate utility area - but if you can create a space that has both then even better!

natashakaplinkyplop · 27/10/2011 14:09

Fair enough... what about a built-in washer, so your kitchen still looks pretty?

CurlyhairedAssassin · 27/10/2011 14:19

Wow! I was going to say that I would rather have a separate utility room than a downstairs loo if I already had 2 loos upstairs. Can see the appeal for a downstairs loo if you only have one other bathroom. But I would MUCH prefer a noisy washing machine and tumble drier out of the way of the kitchen, especially one that's open plan kitchen/diner style. Also gives you somewhere to have a clothes horse/airer thing for drying some non-tumble dry-able stuff indoors, rather than in a bedroom somewhere.

I do know someone who built an extension like yours and she regrets not making a separate utility for the noisy stuff.

louby86 · 27/10/2011 14:19

Do it! We didn't have one until we moved into the house we're in now and it's great, especially when you have people round for barbecues, kids parties etc, no running through your whole house to get to the toilet!

allset · 27/10/2011 14:21

Another vote for a downstairs loo. We had never had one and are now renting a house with one and it is just great, both for the dcs and it means guests don't need to go upstairs so I don't need to tidy up there

Original poster

PhoebeLaura · 27/10/2011 14:26

Oh now I'm confused!

If we put the washer and dryer in the kitchen they will be housed in a bank of floor to ceiling cupboards matching the rest of the kitchen so they will be hidden.

I could keep the dryer in the smaller understairs cupboard next to the proposed WC but that would still leave the washer in the kitchen and would leave me without anywhere to put the pram.

Each solution creates a different issue... i guess I just need to prioritise. It's a nice problem to have though!

OP posts:

Original poster

PhoebeLaura · 27/10/2011 14:29

Interesting to hear that most of you wouldn't be without a downstairs loo. I guess I hadn't realised how useful they are

OP posts:

sybilfaulty · 27/10/2011 14:30

We have just had this done and it's brilliant. The loo is small, but it's great for kids and for having a quick wee as you are going out of the door (and no palaver about taking shoes off to go upstairs etc as there's carpet there).

We solved the washing machine problem by having ours upstairs. We used to have a boiler with a huge tank, which was then replaced by a smaller boiler in the loft. We then had a cupboard without the tank as a laundry cupboard, amd it now houses the machine. The water is from the next door bathroom and all the pipes are under the boards so you don't see anything. It also is very logical as you take your clothes off upstairs and then don't have to carry them round the house to wash them.

Is this something which you could consider?

Splinterbottom · 27/10/2011 14:33

Downstairs loos are great - mean you don't have to tidy round upstairs every time a guest comes over, as they've no reason to go up there .

minipie · 27/10/2011 14:34

Hmm. I think downstairs loo and having washer/dryer out of the kitchen are both v important

Is there no way you can squeeze the washer & dryer out of the kitchen? What is your house layout?

I know someone who has moved their cellar door in order to create space for this (hard to explain without showing you a floorplan). Alternatively is there a space upstairs for the washer & dryer, eg could you carve a large cupboard space out of one of the bedrooms/bathrooms?

2blessed2bstressed · 27/10/2011 14:35

Definitely another vote for the downstairs loo here...I wouldn't give too much thought to storing the pram - that's going to be a relatively short term issue.

Original poster

PhoebeLaura · 27/10/2011 14:35

oh that's a good idea but unfortunately I can't see it working with our house layout. Good to hear you are happy with downstairs loo though.

I should be very pro a downstairs loo really as I go about 100 times a day (didn't do enough pelvic floor exercises )

OP posts:

Original poster

PhoebeLaura · 27/10/2011 14:37

sorry, i meant good idea Sybil...

no, it just wouldn't work putting washer dryer upstairs and we don;t have a cellar.

Is washing machine in kitchen worse than no downstairs loo?

OP posts:

natashakaplinkyplop · 27/10/2011 14:38

I wouldn't worry about where to put the pram, unless you're planning on several more dc's.
A pram's only around for a couple of years, but a downstairs loo is for life!

ChippingInToThePumpkinLantern · 27/10/2011 14:42

If it's not a priority for you and you would rather use the space for the WM & dryer - could you put in the plumbing etc & lay it out so that if someone wanted to turn it into a downstairs loo all they'd need to do is actually install the loo & basin (or you could do that yourself when you are ready to sell) - and in the meantime use it how you would like to use it? It's what I'd do in your position (well, I'd put the loo in because it would suit me more!! But what I mean is I'd use the space how it suited me, but in the building/setting up stage organise it so it could be either).

Original poster

PhoebeLaura · 27/10/2011 14:44

That's a good idea chipping, I'll definitely consider doing that.

I guess having never has a downstairs loo I don't know how important it is to me!

OP posts:

natashakaplinkyplop · 27/10/2011 14:50

I like chippings idea, what we would have isn't necessary what's best for you.

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