Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Downstairs bathroom

22 replies

spotty26 · 30/05/2013 17:20

We have just exchanged on our new home today woop woop.

It has a downstairs bathroom which at first we thought might be handy when the kids are older. It is tucked away by a pantry and a utility room so is not unsightly as such. Now we are starting to think that we will not really use it. We are thinking that we should perhaps convert it into a bigger pantry/wine store. My DH loves his wine and we are losing some well used cellar storage in the move so it will need to be accommodated somewhere.

We have 2 DS's 7 and 4 and a DD of 1.5.

Maybe when they are older we will appreciate it, especially as the boys are massively into Football and Rugby already. I just cannot believe it is that difficult to strip them off in the utility room and send them upstairs for their showers?

Any thoughts from the wise Mumsnetters please?

Thanks

Spotty

OP posts:
MortifiedAdams · 30/05/2013 17:24

You have two adults and three teens in the house. Keep the second bathroom!!!

Better still, keep the upstairs bathroom for yiu and dd and relegate the men to the downstairs one (which they have to keep clean too!). Score.

Original poster
spotty26 · 30/05/2013 17:29

Yes I can see your thinking but the downstairs bathroom is not a second bathroom. I can already get rid of the smelly boys to another bathroom upstairs which is why I am thinking lose it! The house is quite overbathroomed really. I never thought I would have such a problem...

OP posts:
middleagedspread · 30/05/2013 17:34

Do you live in a rural area?
My DS's come in covered in mud and cow muck from endless cycling & outdoor activities.
Although I make them strip off downstairs before they go up to shower they leave a trail of filth all the way up. A downstairs shower room would be very useful.

Karbea · 30/05/2013 17:35

We are doing some remodelling of our house and have decided to keep the downstairs bathroom, but we're going to make it a shower room, the plan is I can bath the dog in it, and if elderly family ever need to stay they'll be able to use it.

Original poster
spotty26 · 30/05/2013 17:39

Not rural but the boys are very very outdoorsy and so maybe we should consider just making it smaller, maybe into a shower cupboard almost.

Do not fancy trails of filth ha ha.

It is just that it is quite unecessarily large. There is already a downstairs loo elsewhere so I just feel the space is a bit wasted.

Thanks guys

OP posts:
BackforGood · 30/05/2013 17:41

Tell us what you've got in total, please.
Like Mortified - I was coming on to say Keep the 2nd bathroom, but is this your 3rd bathroom then ??

YDdraigGoch · 30/05/2013 17:44

Surely you can leave it as a bathroom, but not actually use it as a bathroom, use it to store the wine etc.
then if you decide that you really could use a downstairs, third bathroom you can change your mind and drink all the wine.

Original poster
spotty26 · 30/05/2013 17:54

Bit embarrassed to admit that there are 4 bathrooms in total currently. The owners lost a bedroom to create an en suite and dressing room Master suite affair. Another bathroom on the first floor which will be daughter and guests. A 3rd on on top floor which will be the boys' bathroom. Then the bathroom in point behind kitchen.

You are right we could just leave it for now and live with it but as we are getting a few things done and it is not particularly pretty at the moment, not bad, just a bit of a dumping ground and unlovely.

Maybe we should drink some wine and think on it ;) plenty of time to consider it when we move in!

OP posts:
FishfingersAreOK · 30/05/2013 18:26

Do best of boths...keep small shower room/sluice room and nick as much as you can for wine storage.

Original poster
spotty26 · 30/05/2013 18:32

Just looking back at my pics I took when last there and I think that is the plan. Split it in two as the plumbing is there and I may regret losing it when they are older and muckier!

Cheers guys

OP posts:
BackforGood · 30/05/2013 19:06

With the update, then I'd say - get rid.
Would it make sense to turn it into a swish utility, or have you already got one of those too ? Grin
I can't see anyone using a downstairs bathroom if you have another 3 upstairs (although I'd keep a toilet that's easily accessible from the garden - a real bonus both when they are little, and once they are older and having BBQs and sleepovers in the garden.)

Original poster
spotty26 · 30/05/2013 19:18

There is a laundry room on 1st floor and the downstairs bathroom leads off what the agent called a "rear kitchen" which is essentially a utility/boot room corridor to the back door but the current owner has the fridge in there too. I guess to make the real kitchen look minimal and tidy.

I think we will have to live there a wee while before we make a decision. Just wondered if anyone actually used a ground floor bathroom or not. I have a friend who has one and she just keeps her mop in the shower and no-one uses it!

OP posts:
ItsAllTLAsToMe · 30/05/2013 19:19

Dripfeeding / stealth boast GrinWink.

SquinkiesRule · 31/05/2013 02:35

I'd love an extra large utility room, maybe with some ceiling to floor storage cupboards and room for a clothes airer.

Original poster
spotty26 · 31/05/2013 07:01

Not boasting just answering the questions. It is a big gaff but in an area Mumsnetters love to hate so I do not feel ashamed of my laundry room... Worked hard for it!

The where can I buy a house for a million quid thread could do with some abuse perhaps?

OP posts:
ItsAllTLAsToMe · 31/05/2013 07:26

Aw, I was only kidding spotty Smile.

Cosmosim · 31/05/2013 08:33

Any grandparents visiting? It's quite difficult as we get older to go up/down every time you need the loo.

Original poster
spotty26 · 31/05/2013 08:58

Yes that is a good point thanks. The GParents are in their 60s but as this is a forever home we definitely need to bear that in mind. Will certainly keep a loo downstairs it is the Shower I am undecided about.

OP posts:
Cosmosim · 31/05/2013 09:05

Do you have a dog or ever plan to get one? Look up dog showers on houzz... Not that expensive to modify an existing shower and can better be used as a mud room too http://www.houzz.com/photos/2473549/Manchester-Residence-traditional-bathroom-boston. Example

Original poster
spotty26 · 31/05/2013 09:24

No dog or plans. Struggle to feed and clean the humans!

OP posts:
Original poster
spotty26 · 31/05/2013 09:25

Cosmosim what a great bathroom. Love the zebra wallpaper! Now if it looked like that it would be a keeper!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page