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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:
DownWithThisTypeOfThing · 28/04/2015 16:09

There was a thread on here ages ago which mentioned an upstairs utility room which makes so much sense doesn't it? I was and dry all if our clothes down here then drag them back upstairs to put away. Would make so much more sense if washer/drier were on the same level as the bedrooms.

So thinking laterally OP, could you squeeze in an upstairs utility then have a dishwasher where your current washing machine is? I couldn't but thought it might be worth flagging in case it's an option.

spanky2 · 28/04/2015 16:12

Toilet. The minute one boy is on the toilet for a poo the other one will also need a poo!

maroonedwithfour · 28/04/2015 16:19

Hands down dishwasher. I have both but last house didn't have ds loo, non issue.

Original poster
trailerpark · 28/04/2015 16:56

Thank you for your strong opinions both ways. I think an upstairs utility room would be great. We are very tight on space. However, there is a big cupboard on the landing upstairs which I am going to check out with my tape measure.
For me the dishwasher is winning, but I am going to try to find a way to make them both work. If I can't the downstairs toilet will have to wait.....like everyone else.....

OP posts:
Notso · 28/04/2015 16:57

I've got both and honestly even with 6 of us there is rarely a time when there is someone on both toilets at the same time. Even with the youngest being just 3 and 4.
The dishwasher however is brilliant especially as DH has started emptying every morning before work which means we never have dirty dishes piling up throughout the day. All the kids are now trained to rinse their dishes and put them straight into the dishwasher.

Original poster
trailerpark · 28/04/2015 17:01

So in theory there is space for a slimline dish washer (45 cm job) next to the washing machine - if it budges along a bit - but it would mean chopping out a section of fitted cupboard under the sink. This would leave a cupboard and a bit left.....how would it work?

I wouldn't want to replace all the cupboards along that stretch and they are all joined together I think? I am a bit clueless about these things. We moved in a year ago and I didn't do much to change the kitchen - left most of the cupboards, but changed worktop and sink and added a few new tiles. We don't have much cash but a little bit to do the odd thing and want to spend it wisely.

OP posts:
Original poster
trailerpark · 28/04/2015 17:05

The little cupboard room is 218cm x 74 cm. The washing machine is 59 cm x 54 cm. Now I need to see how big toilets are...

OP posts:
Original poster
trailerpark · 28/04/2015 17:12

Compact toilet seems to have projection of 600mm so wouldn't be much room for legs if facing outwards!
Boiler is at one end of the cupboard - potentially one could put the washing machine at one end and the toilet at the other but could you have a toilet underneath the boiler? There seem to be a lot of pipes and stuff.....I think prob not....
We would be looking at a proper plumbed in toilet...

OP posts:
NotCitrus · 28/04/2015 17:12

Loo. So you have two loos and one is accessible by elderly relatives who can't do stairs,you if you hurt your ankle, small children who can't wait, and there while you lock yourself in for a peaceful bath.

Though worth losing cupboard space for a dishwasher - all cleaning materials can go on a high shelf above the toilet.

Original poster
trailerpark · 28/04/2015 17:17

The upstairs landing cupboard is 68cm wide. It's next to the one upstairs toilet! Not sure how the plumbing would work to put a washing machine in there? Also it sort of sits over the stairs - not sure if a vibrating washing machine would be ok over the stairs?

OP posts:
Original poster
trailerpark · 28/04/2015 17:20

Yes defo worth losing cupboard space, though just not sure how to do it. Thanks NotCitrus - current toilet is on it's own so bath still possible....though never happens (I do shower though)

OP posts:
mrselb · 28/04/2015 19:03

Dishwasher

Honsandrevels · 28/04/2015 19:18

The friends we have with an upstairs washing/dryer set up had an airing cupboard but knocked it out from the bathroom. I'm not sure how to explain but the airing cupboard was accessed from the landing but the back was 'in' in the bathroom. They knocked the back out so they access their washer from the bathroom. The airing cupboard door is there but is redundant. Does that make any sense?!

MisForMumNotMaid · 28/04/2015 19:20

Upstairs cupboard for washing machine it is then. Standard washers being 60cm wide.

You can buy self taping connectors to cut into the water pipes under the sink (turn supply off first) and the drain connector is easy to fit. Power is simply an extension from a nearby socket on a trip socket then get an electrician in at some point to do a proper power point.

Is there room to stack a dryer ontop to keep your MIL happy, or would you rather the storage space?

MisForMumNotMaid · 28/04/2015 19:25

Sory reread, cupboard is next to toilet. The toilet will have a cold feed you can tap into. You can probably connect into the toilet downpipe for the pumped waste but use a trap (it creates a pool of water that stops smells traveling backwards) to prevent smell issues.

HSMMaCM · 28/04/2015 19:28

Can you put the washing machine under the stairs or in the upstairs bathroom?

Amberdiamond · 28/04/2015 19:31

Having neither, dishwasher!

NeverNic · 28/04/2015 19:41

In my next house (hypothetically) I will get a second dishwasher!! I would love to have an extra one to put cooking pans in or to clean cups, glasses and cutlery. Downstairs loo would be nice for guests and potty training but really I agree that its not that important especially in a small house. Clear sides will give you more room and not having to hear the machine while you eat is a plus.

I grew up with both. First house with oh we had no second bathroom or dishwashe, and it wasn't the second bathroom we missed!

Original poster
trailerpark · 28/04/2015 19:46

Thanks for the idea MisForMum. I am certainly going to look into that. Cupboard is next to toilet and toilet has a little sink in it. Cupboard has electricity - a light and socket in it.

Hons I do get what you mean there. We have an airing cupboard type thing in the bathroom and it might be worth looking at opening the side of that out in the other direction - though it would still be in the bathroom. I haven't measured that cupboard yet...

OP posts:
atonofwashing · 28/04/2015 19:53

How big is your house? Can't you just nip up to the loo? Or is it a marathon down a long corridor? Wink

Our dishwasher is broken, and yes we can manage without it, but cannot wait to have a new one next month! Would not fancy a whiffy downstairs. Whiffy upstairs is bad enough!

I vote dishwasher

DianeLockhart · 28/04/2015 20:03

Dishwasher

teenagersmum56 · 28/04/2015 20:10

Dishwasher whereas potty training is only a couple of weeks. Depends if you want to troup up and down the stairs every time they want to go to the toilet, but if you are going to sell the property shortly I suggest you go for the toilet as its a big selling point. Good luck with your decision.

Original poster
trailerpark · 28/04/2015 20:52

Dishwasher.

OP posts:
Invizicat · 28/04/2015 20:57

Yay! Team dishwasher wins!

LL0015 · 28/04/2015 21:01

You could put washing machine in boiler cupboard.... There obvs is a water inlet and power so do able. But how to pipe waste.... Also prob easy as next to bathroom. It would need doing professionally though.

Why don't you book a plumber to quote for toilet downstairs and washing machine into boiler cupboard? If you move WM then replacing with DW is child's play.

If you don't have a plumber then try on your council trading standard site for recommendations