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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Utility room vs downstairs loo

21 replies

soundsystem · 17/06/2015 06:15

We're extending our house to make room for a bigger kitchen and we have room for either a utility room or a downstairs loo, but not both. If you could only have one, what would you choose? I can see the appeal of both and keep swinging back and forth.

Downstairs loo:

No need for guests to go wandering about the house when we have people over (particularly with muddy feet!)
Kids can brush teeth downstairs after breakfast so no losing them upstairs when it's time to leave the house.

Utility room:

washing machine noise contained (kitchen will open to dining room)
one extra kitchen unit for storage
out of sight storage space for bits and bibs, freeing up more apex in the kitchen *space to dry washing out of sight

OP posts:

Kahlua4me · 17/06/2015 06:18

I think I would opt for the loo.
Could you fit washing machine in there as well?

superram · 17/06/2015 06:19

Lootility?

stillnotjustamummy · 17/06/2015 06:20

Why not make it a downstairs loo, but with your washing machine in it? I've seen it done in flats before...

MI5agent · 17/06/2015 06:20

Our new build home merged the two together. It is a small space but has a toilet and small sink, and a washing machine and storage. It is fantastic, is there definitely not a way to have both in the same room?

MI5agent · 17/06/2015 06:27

Here's a floor plan of how ours looks (similar) - Lootility

Original poster

soundsystem · 17/06/2015 06:29

Lootility! Love it. Sadly no room to a squeeze the washing machine into the loo - it's a pretty small space. So it really is either or. No other conceivable space to fit in the other one later, either.

OP posts:

MI5agent · 17/06/2015 08:23

In that case, I'd have a toilet. It's useful to have for the kids, guests etc and you can have some storage in their I'd imagine - places like ikea and the likes will help you utilise the space.

BlueStringPudding · 17/06/2015 08:26

Any room for your washing machine upstairs in the bathroom?

iwantgin · 17/06/2015 08:27

Ours is all in one. Toilet and basin at one side - with the washing machine and some floor and wall units at the other. A very useful space.

But you say it is small so I would vote for toilet. I couldn't imagine now having guests having to go upstairs to use the loo and see what I didn't have time to tidy before their visit . Much more convenient for all.

iwantgin · 17/06/2015 08:29

Do you have a garage? You could keep the washing machine in there? perhaps a bit of pain if you have to go outdoors, and not through the house but it resolves the noisy machine in the kitchen problem.

TendonQueen · 17/06/2015 09:03

Toilet. Definitely. I couldn't live without an extra one now.

Greenrememberedhills · 17/06/2015 09:11

I have a friend who has a small laundry room upstairs and it is genius. Clothes no longer need trailing up and down and kids chuck dirty stuff straight in there after use.

pinkje · 17/06/2015 09:15

I would go for utility. Just ask your guests to remove muddy shoes before going upstairs.

With new washing machines being all eco-friendly their wash cycles are much longer (or so i have found). That's a lot of noise if you have an open kitchen diner.

Fabellini · 17/06/2015 09:20

If it's a small space I'd be inclined to go for loo option. It doesn't sound like there'd be much room for drying stuff anyway..... I think washing machines are a lot quieter than they used to be, and you can muffle it more by having it as an integrated appliance (as long as the door over it is fitted properly, otherwise they rattle!).

CaurnieBred · 17/06/2015 09:23

Toilet - we now have the problem of elderly guests not being able to manage the stairs.

FiftyShadesOfSporn · 17/06/2015 09:39

If you're going to be potty and toilet training in the future, a downstairs loo is v helpful.

WindMeUpAndLetMeGo · 17/06/2015 09:42

I have a downstairs loo that I considered turning into a utility, I am so glad I didn't, having 5 of us and only one loo would be a nightmare (plus I'm the only female!)

TheUnwillingNarcheska · 17/06/2015 09:44

Downstairs loo because it stops people traipsing through your house and is handy for people who struggle to handle stairs.

That may sound like no-one currently but you only need a child to break a leg and be on crutches for that to be an issue.

Plateofcrumbs · 17/06/2015 09:47

Do you have space for a WC not to open onto the kitchen? I'm not sure building regs allows that, so might limit your options.

We are in a similar dilemma and think I would prefer a utility room.

cuntycowfacemonkey · 17/06/2015 09:48

Ooh tough choice! What are the dimensions? Maybe with some very clever planning you could have both combined. I think downstairs toilet would win it for me personally. I like the fact that I don't have to worry about the state of upstairs when we have visitors and agree when my grandparents visit stairs would be a problem for them.

Applesauce29 · 17/06/2015 10:15

I'd go for downstairs loo, and keep privacy of not having guests to go upstairs.

Is there no way you could possibly have a shed / summer house in the garden and run electricity to it? My mum used to have our tumble dryer in our shed as it wouldn't fit in our tiny kitchen!

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