how important is downstairs loo

[talkingtorch]

We are adding an ensuite to an upstairs bedroom as unless we do a full ground floor extension,are unable to put a loo downstairs (small plot:no space at side or to fore of property). We are planning to move in a few years (5-10)and after reading a thread on aibu,where so many have said a downstairs loo is essential,im worried now?

Would love a loo downstairs mainlyvso i could wash gardening hands etc in the loo sink rather than in my kitchem sink as we have no utility.i am fine with guests using upstairs loo and potty traing was ok as we took potty down stairs and have no carpets on ground floor.it is annoying going up to wash hands though!

Not important to me either. Our current house has a downstairs loo which is freezing in the winter and I use the upstairs one all year through.

I think it' one of those things that, if you have it, fantastic, if you don't, you forget about it.

It us nit essential to sell a house but adds to the selling price. I would say however that most houses do not have one (unless the whole batroom is downstairs, which is a no no for me)

Not at all essential, nipping up a flight of stairs keeps you fit!

Apart from anything else, I find downstairs loos quite yucky. I don't want to be sitting that near to a toilet, all the time. And having one downstairs encourages window cleaner and anyone popping in to 'just use your loo' which I like even less.

I particularly find it a bit queasy making when loos are very close to kitchens or crammed under the stairs!

It's essential for us as my father has mobility issues and can't manage stairs. He wouldn't be able to visit if we didn't have a downstairs loo.

Since having dc (now teens) we've never lived in a house without a downstairs loo. If it wasn't for my df we'd manage without a downstairs loo, but I'd prefer to have one.

It was essential for us. We lived with one loo for five years and when we extended I went a bit bonkers and put in four. I'm a bit embarrassed about it now, but it surely is convenient. My poor dad used to have to use a commode when he visited as he couldn't manage the stairs. Not nice for anyone.

It's not essential, but personally I wouldn't buy a house that didn't have one, as I don't like visitors going upstairs (house usually a tip!). However, I know plenty of people who haven't got one, so it obviously doesn't bother them.

I have a toddler, baby and building work on and there's no doubt that the downstairs loo we managed to squeeze under the stairs gets used dozens of time a day at the moment. Having said that, everything in life is a compromise - I live in London and many of my friends are raising their kids in 500-600 sqft upstairs flats because property costs so much and they cope fine. If I was a bit richer I'd probably be saying I couldn't cope without my pantry/utility room but I don't have the money to buy a house big enough for those, so I don't :)

I think you have to ask yourself if you and your husband are really bothered enough to build an extension for a loo or move for a loo. If not, let it go and I'n sure you'll manage fine.

i dont have a downstairs loo but have toilet trained my 5 and 3 year old without however im moving to a house with a downstairs loo and im delighted with that idea

I definitely think a second loo somewhere is essential, if you have space. Downstairs or upstairs is up to you.

We put ours downstairs as that's where we had the space, I use it a lot and it certainly helped with toilet training DD1.