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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Downstairs toilet or dishwasher, what's more useful?

151 replies

trailerpark · 27/04/2015 19:57

We are in a small house and there is a tiny room downstairs that could be turned into a downstairs loo potentially, or we could move the washing machine in there and get a dishwasher in the space it creates in the kitchen.....
Which do you think would be more useful?....we have two smallish children...

OP posts:

Original poster

trailerpark · 27/04/2015 21:37

The proposed downstairs loo is a sort of cupboard which housed the water tank. We took the tank out and put in a combi boiler so it looks like it could fit a loo - but not sure if meets regulations. Are there regulations on sizes of toilet rooms? It's ok to have the boiler in the toilet yes?

OP posts:

catzpyjamas · 27/04/2015 21:38

I have a dishwasher. I'd rather have another loo as DH and DSS can both spend hours in our only bathroom and it's probably unhygienic to pee in a dishwasher when you are desperate

Original poster

trailerpark · 27/04/2015 21:40

Not actually in the toilet.

OP posts:

YawnyMcYawn · 27/04/2015 21:40

Dishwasher. The kids will be old enough to use the upstairs room soon enough. Dishwashers are such a timesaver. I'd rather have a dishwasher than a washing machine if I could only have 1 appliance and I was anywhere near a laundrette that does a service wash.

Original poster

trailerpark · 27/04/2015 21:43

Maybe. Though they sterilize no? (dishwashers)
My DS takes stacks of books into the loo and pens?! Other DS sits on the potty. They do poos together. It gets v stinky.

OP posts:

YawnyMcYawn · 27/04/2015 21:47

I'd rather retrain the kids/have loo rules and get a dishwasher.

MisForMumNotMaid · 27/04/2015 21:49

Toilet in same room as boiler is fine. The power connections need to be a certain distance from water sources, the boiler room needs free ventilation, the toilet space needs an extractor fan.

If you google compact toilets you'll come up with images like this and can get a feel for the space. I find doing full sized paper 2D cutouts (brown paper or newspaper) and placing them in different locations is really good for helping visualise and check fit.

Downstairs toilet or dishwasher, what's more useful?

catzpyjamas · 27/04/2015 21:52

Definitely another toilet if you have 2 DS. The male members of our household stay in there for an eternity until DD shouts that she needs to go NOW

LL0015 · 27/04/2015 21:54

I think if you are the only girl in the house, long term you need a 2nd toilet.

How do we get a dishwasher into the kitchen needs to be fully tackled before you make a decision! Photos?

Mouldypineapple · 27/04/2015 21:56

Downstairs toilet definitely. Our dishwasher broke a few months ago and we're going to replace it.. When we get round to it!
This is the first house I've owned with a downstairs loo, makes so much difference! Definitely go for the toilet..

Original poster

trailerpark · 27/04/2015 21:57

That one looks quite small MisForMum and lovely. I can only dream....downstairs loo and dishwasher.....there must be a way.

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Cushionmonster · 27/04/2015 21:59

I get a bit twitchy if there's only one loo in a house/holiday house. Ridiculous I know but I worry about if someone comes down with a sickness bug, I like the security of knowing that the ill person can be confined to their own toilet. Admittedly this is a relatively uncommon event in our household so it's rarely a problem.

JasperDamerel · 27/04/2015 21:59

Dishwasher. I have recently had an extension which included both a dishwasher and a downstairs loo, and while the loo is nice and convenient, it wasn't in any way life-changing, even though before that we had a single loo in the family bathroom. But the dishwasher! It is amazing, and I have so much more free time and the kitchen is so much easier to keep clean. I love it!

MisForMumNotMaid · 27/04/2015 22:00

Would you consider boxing in the understairs for a laundry/ storage room?

Invizicat · 27/04/2015 22:09

One dishwasher would change your life more than two loos.

Put your washing machine in the downstairs cupboard with a tumble drier stacked on top. Now that will really change your life.

niceandwarm · 27/04/2015 22:13

downstairs loo, definitely.

Original poster

trailerpark · 27/04/2015 22:17

I am starting to consider the understairs yes, though I had painted it a fetching lime green?!
I can see that a dishwasher would have an immediate impact while the toilet might be a wise long term thing..
Photos.....um the camera on my phone has died...

OP posts:

Original poster

trailerpark · 27/04/2015 22:22

My MIL is obsessed with the fact I don't have a tumble drier.

I need to put the washing machine and drier on top of it in the cupboard and put a loo in there too.

If I can squeeze a dishwasher in the kitchen while the washing machine is still in there I can use the cupboard for a toilet and everyone is happy, except for the MIL.

OP posts:

ILovedYouYesterday · 27/04/2015 22:41

I would have LOVED a downstairs loo when the DC were potty training. We didn't have one then and trailing up and down the stairs with brimming potties got old very quickly as did trailing up and down with them when they could use the toilet but liked me to go with them/needed bum wiping. If you are just starting with that stage, I'd get the loo!

Once they were old enough to go up to the loo on their own, then I would choose the dishwasher although it is very useful to have more than one loo!

dementedma · 27/04/2015 22:43

We have neither so not much help. I would use the space to store wine.

Original poster

trailerpark · 27/04/2015 22:55

My 3 year old uses the potty but it's in the current loo and mostly he goes on his own - though I go up to bum wipe. Other DS can do it all on his own now, so we are past the potty training stage sort of.....I suppose...

I looked at that fisher paykal dish washer....expensive it is for me. I see you can get small washing machines, but I guess that would be crazy talk with a family, now I'm losing the plot...

OP posts:

UsedToBeAPaxmanFan · 28/04/2015 06:36

I'd go for the second loo. But I'd also look at fitting a dishwasher into the kitchen. If you have outside space, then you could buy a small shed to hold some of your less used kitchen stuff, and then take out a cupboard to fit on a didhwasher.

Floralnomad · 28/04/2015 06:49

Would it be a proper loo or a macerator type ? I would say downstairs loo if a proper plumbed in type but would not have a macerator type . We have a slimline dishwasher and it has plenty of space for a family of four but it is the least important of my kitchen appliances - the tumble dryer is the must have for me .

RedButtonhole · 28/04/2015 07:03

I have a downstairs loo and would swap it for a dishwasher in a heartbeat.

I'd have to get rid of the washing machine to fit one in the kitchen, I'd happily do that as well if I could afford to buy the dishwasher. I washed clothes in the bath for a couple of years before, didn't bother me, but I despise doing dishes.

MyCatIsAGit · 28/04/2015 07:17

Dishwasher. Definitely, unless you have kids you know will help. Never had one till moved in with OH and his kids. It's great. Also you can clear all crap into it and have dishwasher safe pans.

Second loo very nice also but a definite second.

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