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Original poster

How Important is a Downstairs Loo?

55 replies

DimpleHands · 23/05/2015 21:07

We are about to do the side return on our 4-bed Victorian terrace house in London. We have the option to put in a downstairs loo (and our architect is pushing for this) but it would mean cutting into the size of the kitchen - it would still be "eat-in" but would be pretty cramped.

I would much rather have a bigger kitchen - we have two nice bathrooms with loos upstairs - but am worried about putting people off when we come to sell (which we will probably do in about 6-8 years' time).

If you were buying, how important would a downstairs loo be for you?

OP posts:
cheminotte · 23/05/2015 21:48

I think 2 Loo's is important, ideally one upstairs, one downstairs. But a big kitchen is a good selling point too.

RandomMess · 23/05/2015 21:48

Are you still going to have a separate dining room?

vindscreenviper · 23/05/2015 21:53

Stud wall between a loo and the kitchen is grim in my opinion op. Could make for some awkward moments with guests.

MadBannersAndCopPorn · 23/05/2015 21:53

Couldn't you have a utility/ loo which would mean more space in kitchen?

stoopstofolly · 23/05/2015 21:53

I don't think it's important. A 4 bed house needs two loos, but personally I'd rather have a bigger eat in kitchen and family space. Remember, it's your nome- have what you want and not what the architect wants! We saw a new build house recently- three bedrooms and THREE bathrooms! Pointless. Architects these days are bathroom mad.

BeaufortBelle · 23/05/2015 21:53

I think if your London Victorian Terrace was built as a 4 bedder it is essential. Perhaps not so if it was built as a 2.5 bedder and now has a loft conversion. If the former there should be room for a downstairs loo; if the latter there probably isn't.

Hope you see what I mean.

vindscreenviper · 23/05/2015 21:54

And it would put me off, as a buyer.

TandemFlux · 23/05/2015 21:58

If you've got two bathrooms upstairs, stick with a good sized kitchen

Spickle · 23/05/2015 23:54

Elderly relatives may struggle with stairs which could prevent them from wanting to visit but if you are only planning on staying another 6-8 years and your relatives are physically well, then go for the larger kitchen.

kissedbyamoonbeammyarse · 24/05/2015 00:06

I removed a bathroom to have a kitchen/diner. Rejigged to then have a smaller shower room. The shower cubicle jutted into the diner area. Worked well on paper. Slightly L shaped shower room - nice sized kitchen-diner. Til guests had sex in the shower...... which technically was in the diner, where we were having breakfast.
Think noise when planning. That's all.

KondoAttitude · 24/05/2015 00:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lechie · 24/05/2015 02:22

It's not essential - you could live without. But it is something I wouldn't negotiate over. I've never bought (and never would buy) a house without a downstairs loo. For me, that would be a deal breaker. That said, I have plenty of friends who don't have downstairs loos and I happily use their upstairs ones Smile.

Iwasbornin1993 · 24/05/2015 02:44

We're buying at the moment and a downstairs loo is a must-have on our list. Either that or the space to be able to put one in ourselves! Really important for us just for practicality and for when guests are round etc.

stonecircle · 24/05/2015 19:25

I'm a firm believer in ordering your house for yourself not for any future potential buyers. I'd be very reluctant to compromise on kitchen space, but a downstairs loo is invaluable if you:

  • have toddlers
  • have small children likely to have parties at home (you really don't want to let them upstairs)
  • have teenagers likely to have parties at home (you REALLY don't want to let them upstairs)
  • have a teenager likely to come home so much the worse for wear from alcohol that he can't make it upstairs Hmm
  • have elderly visitors/residents
  • want to stay in your home until you are old and unable to sprint up and down the stairs
Apatite1 · 25/05/2015 08:37

I'd hate to potty train without a downstairs loo, our upstairs loos are not close to the stairs. Plus making sure downstairs loo is wheelchair accessible is a must, two of our friends and several relatives use wheelchairs.

Outwith · 25/05/2015 08:52

Grin at a downstairs loo being essential. My house doesn't have one, but it isn't uninhabitable. That said, it did put us off a bit when we bought it, and I do wonder about putting one in the utility room / under the stairs. I wouldn't downgrade the kitchen by squeezing one in there though.

Outwith · 25/05/2015 08:55

And we potty trained without a downstairs loo, it was fine Grin.

springlamb · 25/05/2015 08:56

For me, the issue is not so much where the second loo is - it's having a loo that is in the main clear of personal belongings, I don't like guests/business associates/visiting workmen using the same loo where all our shower gels, spot creams, piles lotions, deodorants, sanpro, strange-skin-condition creams, are available for all to see. So a separate loo and hand wash basin are important to me. But it could just as well be the first available loo at the top of the stairs.
In my old house, this was the 'go to the top of the stairs and turn left' loo which was separate to the main family bathroom next door.
In this house we have an ensuite downstairs and a main bathroom, we will shortly change the configuration so that there is a separate loo and shower room so that teenage dd can have all her magic creams laid out before her when she showers without visitors knowing all her beauty secrets! (We shan't be able to get into the room for all the tubes and tubs, don't tell her I said that)
In my first home the bathroom and loo were (weirdly) off the living room - never again. More tea MIL? As FIL did God knows what in the loo. No thanks.

DeidreChambersWhatACoincidence · 25/05/2015 08:59

We didn't have one for years but our new house does. I must admit I do like it. I hate visitors traipsing about upstairs looking for the toilet. Mind you mil still finds any reason to do so anyway Hmm.

debricassartcleary · 25/05/2015 09:01

No keep the big kitchen. I think people who are into period properties will not mind. We could put a downstairs toilet under our stairs but who wants to go to the toilet under the stairs? Hmm. I wouldn't be bothered at all.

Outwith · 25/05/2015 09:17

I'd quite like to go to the loo under the stairs Grin.

northerngoldilocks · 25/05/2015 09:21

What are you doing to the entrances to the kitchen when you do the side return? Are you having 2 entrances (existing and from dining room ) if so could you consider blocking off the original entrance and putting a loo in there. We did this and I didn't like the idea at first but it's great. Pm if more details would be helpful

SignoraStronza · 25/05/2015 09:34

I've potty trained twice (in two houses) without a downstairs loo. We've managed to stay relatively unstressed and sanitary throughout the experience. We've only got one toilet to clean too, although that is separate from the bathroom. You must all be horrified!Grin Perhaps we should reinstate the outside khazi (old council house).

BasinHaircut · 25/05/2015 16:30

I get why a downstairs loo might be useful, and even ideal, but I don't understand why people can't live without one (mobility reasons aside). I can't stand tiny loos under the stairs, especially if the door is opposite the lounge door and so everyone can hear you pee.

Marmitelover55 · 25/05/2015 17:25

We put a loo in under our stairs and its great - cant see why it would be a problem?

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