Downstairs loo - should we bother?

[PhoebeLaura]

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.

certainly have a downstairs loo, even if you have two bathrooms upstairs. I wouldn't be without one.

BTW the boiler repairman came today, and asked if he could use the loo. "Yes" I said "next to the front door"

Some people don't like strangers in their personal bathroom.

I have a good friend who can't climb stairs - if I didn't have a downstairs loo she wouldn't be able to visit me! I wouldn't have bought a house without one.

Worth bearing in mind that lots of people have (or have friends / relatives with) mobility issues that makes a downstairs loo a necessity.

My brother and SIL are trying to sell their v nice 4 bed house without much luck and the main reason people give the EA for not putting in an offer is the lack of downstairs loo. We are now renting a house without a downstairs loo and its a pain

How long do you think you will be in the house for?

If it's going to be a good few years have it how you would prefer. I think putting the plumbing for it so it can be done later is an excellent idea though.

I would have a separate room for the washer and dryer, but I hate the washing machine being in the kitchen, and I also hate house work. A loo downstairs is one more to clean.

It does depend what is usual for your area and type of house. Many of the London terrace houses weren't built with a downstairs loo (execpting the one out in the garden ) but I have seen them tucked under stairs, or taken as a slice out of the end of a long narrow kitchen. More modern houses invariably have a cloakroom but perhaps that's not a fair comparison.

If you have to have your washing machine and dryer in the kitchen you can always hide them behind doors and use the space on top for a bit extra worktop, if you have room.

I think it's a bonus, personally, but not as important as if you had no second toilet at all. Helpful for visitors and people with young children in the house.

We removed a downstairs loo, but reinstated it 5 years later when we had major building work. We have 3 now, and although they all need cleaning (!) I wouldn't be without them.
Lucky enough to have a utility room/ drying areaas well...would find it too noisy for the kitchen area as I live in there

Would really recommend it - we finished extending our house (similar to you OP, kitchen/diner) and put in a loo under the stairs. It's great and we wonder how we did without it now!!

Ok I am feeling a challenge coming on. Phoebe is there any way you can find a floorplan which is very similar to yours, and post a link? I am sure it must be possible to squeeze both in somehow...

Another person here who would never buy a house without a downstairs loo.

Sorry, it would be a deal breaker for me too. I have never bought a house without a downstairs loo and I never would.

I don't even own a posh house - just a standard 3 bed, and no ensuite.

If you can easily put one in, then I would.

I wouldn't buy a house without two loos, at least one downstairs.
Handy for guests, workmen, small children who don't leave time to get upstairs, and MIL and others who find stairs difficult (she can visit us knowing she'll only have to go up the stairs once a day to get to bed).

Could the dryer be put above the washer to save space?

Another yes on the downstairs loo. Could you put the washer and dryer in the playroom?