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Original poster

New house - thoughts on downstairs shower room and outside washing machine

28 replies

PicNicPapers · 16/08/2014 19:58

I'm after thoughts and experiences if possible. We've just moved home into our first house and there are a few things that we'd like to get done so I'd appreciate any comments.

Firstly there is currently a downstairs utility room, complete with a toilet in the middle of it. Our current thoughts are to make it into a downstairs shower room as there isn't really the space for a walk in shower upstairs. Is that odd as I don't think so but other comments from relatives say it is?

Next to keep the washing machine and dryer out of the kitchen we were thinking of getting the garage plumbed in. It isn't attached to the house but is no more than a couple of steps away. It's large and seems to be dry. What does everyone think? I found another thread which thought it was ok but I'm a little worried about rain and winter.

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
OnePlanOnHouzz · 16/08/2014 20:04

is there anywhere upstairs for the WM &TD ?! as this is where the laundry needs to be put away and stored usually ?! makes sense to keep it in the house - could be stacked and hidden in a cupboard so not so noticeable !

MollyBdenum · 16/08/2014 20:09

An outside washing machine would really put me off buying a house. When a child is sick or wets the bed in the middle of the night in winter, the last thing you want to do is have top put your shows on and go out in the cold, dark rain to put the washing machine on.

ilovepowerhoop · 16/08/2014 20:09

could you not put the washing machine and tumble drier in the utility room and put a shower in over the bath. I'd be wary of the washing machine freezing up in the winter if it was in the garage plus you'd need to go outside to get to it

Fcukfifa · 16/08/2014 20:13

My dryer is in our shed which is literally a step out of my back door. I hate it. Really annoys me especially when it's cold and/or wet.

ouryve · 16/08/2014 20:14

I had an outdoor utility room for a washer etc in a house I used to live in. I had no kids, so might think differently, now, but it really was no problem. In the 5 years I lived there, it froze up once and that was a really harsh spell of weather - something like -12.

angelopal · 16/08/2014 20:14

For me a washing machine inside and a shower over the bath would be better. If could not have washing machine inside it would really put me off.

Letthemtalk · 16/08/2014 20:21

We have our dryer in the garage, suits us fine. Means we only use it when necessary. Our last house had a downstairs shower, again suited us then, but not of a pain when you have guests.

Original poster
PicNicPapers · 16/08/2014 22:08

Thanks,

What about putting the washing machine in the kitchen. How big a thing is having a utility room? I've always lived in a flat before so having the choice is a new experience. If a separate room is needed then we'll definitely have to get a wall put in as a utility room with a toilet in the middle definitely seems odd.

OP posts:
Mrsladybirdface · 16/08/2014 22:51

our washing mashine is in our garage not attached...it's fine.

id rather it there and have a dishwasher in the kitchen.

MillyMollyMama · 16/08/2014 23:14

I would put a shower over the bath and have the utility room as a laundry room. Don't have a washing machine upstairs if you can avoid it.

burnishedsilver · 17/08/2014 00:05

Another vote for keeping the laundry inside and having a showed over the bath.

burnishedsilver · 17/08/2014 00:05

Shower, not showed!

hiccupgirl · 17/08/2014 08:09

I'd also have a shower over the bath and the washing machine inside. Or put the washing machine in the kitchen with the dryer outside and then have a walkin shower if that's really important.

We have both a dishwasher and washing machine in the kitchen as no utility room and it's really not a problem.

OwlCapone · 17/08/2014 08:13

I think putting the washing machine in the garage in favour of a shower is the wrong choice. The washing machine is inconvenient and the shower is inconvenient. Lose lose! Get a shower bath (those keyhole shaped types) upstairs instead.

Lagoonablue · 17/08/2014 08:13

I would love a utility room. Our dryer is in the garage. It's a pain tbh.

MollyBdenum · 17/08/2014 09:41

I would much rather have a shower over the bath and a proper utility room.

SummerSazz · 17/08/2014 09:44

Can you fit shower, loo and wm/td in the current utility - it's what we have and it's fine.

Chillisauce · 17/08/2014 09:55

Would swapping to a combined washer and dryer help atall?

ilovepowerhoop · 17/08/2014 09:59

washer dryers arent that good though - I got rid of mine when it broke and just have a washing machine now

Chopchopbusybusy · 17/08/2014 10:01

If you stack the tumble dryer on top of the washing machine could you fit the shower in? We had a downstairs shower room in a previous house. Wasn't an Issue. In that house our washing machine and tumble dryer were in the kitchen. No separate utility. I wouldn't like the washing machine in the garage.

wowfudge · 17/08/2014 10:12

Yep - stack washing machine and tumble dryer. Don't put washing machine in the kitchen. I hate that - dirty washing in the kitchen and the noise of the machine when you are cooking or eating are not for me.

If you can divide the utility room to separate the loo then do it, but make sure there is a cloakroom basin in there too. Somewhere separate from the kitchen is great for laundry, ironing board storage, etc., etc.

Chillisauce · 17/08/2014 10:27

I have a hotpoint combined and it great. Personal choice but combined for me every time.

wowfudge · 17/08/2014 11:50

Against washer dryers - you can only deal with one load at a time because the machine cannot be washing whilst it is drying. They are less efficient and many are incapable of drying the same amount they can wash in a single load. Plus, should anything go wrong, that's two things you can't do, rather than just one.

LondonGirl83 · 17/08/2014 13:06

Washing machine inside and shower over the bath would be better for me too. Most people don't particularly care for downstairs shower rooms as you have to walk through the house undressed. Alternatively you have to have somewhere dry to leave your clothes in the bathroom while you are getting ready which can be a challenge unless its large. Of course it can work just fine but personally it would be a minus rather than a plus for me.

CrapBag · 17/08/2014 14:14

We have been looking at houses recently and all the ones with washing machines/dryers outside put me off. Made me think there wasn't enough space in the kitchen and having to go outside, no matter how close, to do washing was really off putting.

I don't see why having a washing machine in the kitchen is a problem. Its where they usually are. Having said that I would kill for a separate utility room. I certainly wouldn't get rid of it to have a walk in shower. A shower over a bath is fine. I have heard walk in showers are more prone to leaking. No idea if this is true though.

You have just reminded me I was going to start a thread about a similar issue actually. Although mine is about turning a downstairs shower room into a utility.

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