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Original poster

wc in futility room? yuk?

39 replies

paulapantsdown · 09/04/2015 20:54

So we are having a downstairs extension built and have squeezed in, what we thought would be a separate loo and small utility room. Rather than having a tiny loo and a tiny utility - would it be ok do you think to just combine the two, or would that be yucky?

OP posts:

SquinkiesRule · 09/04/2015 20:56

I've seen them combined and it was OK there was a lock on the door. Or one that has the Loo behind a wall works too.

Penfold007 · 09/04/2015 21:16

So long as there is a tiny hand wash basin I think it's fine.

Original poster

paulapantsdown · 09/04/2015 21:19

Well we were going to use our butler sink from our old kitchen and some of the worktops for the dryer/washer to go underneath (if it was going to be separate) - would I still need another little wc sink?

OP posts:

museumum · 09/04/2015 21:19

Well, tbh IMO it's no longer a utility room but a rather only large downstairs loo with the washing machine in it.
I'd prefer separate. Downstairs loo doesn't have to be any bigger than a public toilet cubicle with a corner basin in (like Starbucks toilets for eg).

Viviennemary · 09/04/2015 21:20

I think you should avoid this if possible. Clean washing and ironing in the same room as the loo. Sorry if that sounds illogical. See what others think. I don't have a utility room but would like one as they are useful.

Crikeyblimey · 09/04/2015 21:23

In the US the washer / dryer is often in the bathroom (if no basemt available). We (UK) are often thought odd for having dirty laundry / washing machine in the kitchen. So I don't see a problem.

Personally I'd rather have separate but hey.

Lizzylou · 09/04/2015 21:25

We will reconfigure our downstairs soon, we have a huge utility room at present and are planning to divide it to fit a loo in (current downstairs loo will be a pantry). It will have a door, and ve very separate though. I have a mate who has a loo/utility room combo and it is actually ok.

MrsJamin · 09/04/2015 21:26

We're having an extension at the moment with a 'loo-tility' room ;) I don't want the noisy tumble-drier, boiler or washing machine in the new family kitchen/diner room so they are in with the downstairs loo and sink and I hope to fit in a tall cupboard around the boiler too to house the vacuum cleaner, mop etc. Makes perfect sense to me and would never think "yuck".

Moresproutsplease · 09/04/2015 21:27

My friend wasn't allowed to register with the local council to sell cakes she had baked in her kitchen because her washing machine is in there, so I agree it's more logical to have washers/dryers in a loo.

Amethyst24 · 09/04/2015 21:35

I think it depends on your lifestyle. If you have children, then a general utility area that includes a loo is fine. If you're an adult house and the downstairs loo is for guests, then I think it's not ideal because your utility room will by its very nature be a bit cluttered and/or functional.

engeika · 09/04/2015 21:43

We don't have much space so have a downstairs loo/shower/basin with the washing machine and laundry basket in there. Never thought twice about it.

Have seen it in other London houses

Cannot see the hygiene issue at all

Molichite · 09/04/2015 21:49

I think I'd go for a decent sized, bathroom style sink with storage under,. The room would be more a downstairs loo with washing machine and tumble, but the sink means it is still practical for utility room type jobs.

If you do the butlersink, I think you'd only need a separate sink if you have small children who would struggle to use the big one. I like the idea of having the loo behind a partition, but then that comes down to having the luxury of space.

RaphaellaTheSpanishWaterDog · 09/04/2015 21:54

We've had this set-up (by design) in a couple of previous houses.

We built a large extension at our last house and this comprised kitchen and loo-tility. The latter housed a floor-standing boiler, washing machine and loo on one side and butler sink unit with double drainers on the opposite wall. It was a small room - 8' x 6' - so no ironing (what's that anyway?) went on in there. We had wooden work surface above the boiler and washing machine where we stored laundry baskets and shelving on both sides with recycling caddies, pet food containers etc.

DS is grown up so there's only the two of us at home now and it worked fine for us/guests etc, although we did have a further three loos including a second one in a former annex on the ground floor.

We sold the house to a family with three DC (8,12 & 15?) and they were delighted to have four loos - the fact that one was combined with the utility didn't bother them in the slightest.

BossWitch · 09/04/2015 21:58

Am I the only one to think that 'futility room' should catch on as a name?!

Molichite · 09/04/2015 22:06

Half an hour ago I'd have agreed with you Bosswitch, but my new favourite is loo-tility

OhtoblazeswithElvira · 09/04/2015 22:09

No you're not Bosswitch
Best autocorrect creation of the day

OP would your new loo be likely to be used for Particularly Awful Poos? Meaning that DH sneaks out having finished his business, and you go in with a laundry basket completely unaware of the horror, only to be overcome by the noxious fumes...

I'm as we cannot extend or fit in a second toilet

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 09/04/2015 22:12

A friend had a room like this in her old house, think it was the original bathroom but they added washer/dryer etc. it worked well in terms of practicality and as a visitor I didn't think anything of it. It certainly wouldn't put me off buying a house.

Original poster

paulapantsdown · 09/04/2015 22:25

It wasn't a spelling mistake! I'ts a futlility room coz all the bloody washing, drying, folding ad infinitum is FUTILE! I'm liking loo-tility though.

So there is no over-riding opinion here so I'm still undecided!

OP posts:

PaddingtonBlair · 09/04/2015 23:22

We adapted a downstairs bathroom into a futility room (known as the zombie room because of all the dried / tinned food in the cupboards). Loo, butler sink, wall mounted kitchen units and washer and tumble under a work top.

HelenF350 · 09/04/2015 23:25

My brother has something like this in his house but there is a stud wall and sliding door between the two which separates them. I think this is the ideal solution if possible.

Devora · 10/04/2015 00:51

We've got a lootility room. I don't really like it as a space: it wasn't built well and suffers from damp, slugs etc. I'd love to redo it. When that glorious day comes, I will separate loo from utility if space and funds allow. But I certainly don't think it's yuck to have both combined - in fact, I think it takes germphobia to a rather ridiculous new level to think so. Soon we'll be going back to toilets at the bottom of gardens in order to accommodate people's need to separate them from any other living function.

MrsJamin · 10/04/2015 09:09

Paulapantsdown - there's even a sign you could have.

FreeButtonBee · 10/04/2015 09:11

Mine as a look and small sink (done by previous owners) TBH I hate it. It's the only downstairs loo so guests use it and it's always a mess of spare buggy/willies/scooters/dirty and clean laundry. But mine is very badly laid out and the door doesn't lock. If you can arrange it so the loo is in a bit of an alcove then that would work better.

Am sure it will be useful when potty trainers my twins this summer but if I could change it, I would.

FreeButtonBee · 10/04/2015 09:14

WELLIES!

Elysianfields · 10/04/2015 09:20

Are guests going to use the loo? That would be my deciding factor, I might want them out of my messy utility room.

My ex mil has a lootility room and it works fine but she is immaculately clean and tidy. actually when the kids were little it was excellent for them, loads of space, could chuck stuff straight in the wash - I even used to get rid of mud by bathing them in the butler sink.

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