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Original poster

Which room set-up would you prefer?

34 replies

breadstickseverywhere · 05/10/2016 10:47

We were going to extend our first floor to create a big family bathroom but we think we're just going to use existing space to create a small bathroom/shower room: we're probably not going to be in this house longer than four more years or so, so it's just not worth the hassle and expense.

The question is how to use the space. Which of these would you choose:

A) Bathroom downstairs and walk-in shower room upstairs. (Washing machine and tumble dryer to remain in conservatory)

B) Utility room and toilet downstairs (in place of the bathroom) and walk-in shower room upstairs (ie NO BATH at all)

C) Utility room and toilet downstairs and small bathroom upstairs with small corner bath (1200 by 1200) and shower over bath

Would love some input!

OP posts:
Chaby · 05/10/2016 10:49

I would probably go with a. If you want to sell I think it's important to have a full family bathroom for people with kids

senua · 05/10/2016 10:53

I'm afraid that a downstairs bathroom always feels naff.
If pushed, I'd go for (C) but, personally, I'd always like a proper bath (and shower) but I know that not all people are that fussed by baths.

SolomanDaisy · 05/10/2016 10:54

I'd go for c. I wouldn't buy a family house without a bath and I wouldn't want a washing machine and dryer in the conservatory.

senua · 05/10/2016 10:55

If a proper bathroom adds value to the house why do you think that it's not worth 'the hassle and expense'. You're going to have hassle and expense anyway so why not do it to the max.

worrierandwine · 05/10/2016 11:06

Definitely C. I wouldn't want appliances in the conservatory and wouldn't have thought it would be a great selling point whereas a utility room would. We have a shower over the bath and manage just fine. You will still have a bathroom downstairs and bath/ shower. With option C you have covered all bases.

wowfudge · 05/10/2016 11:11

C from me.

Rumtopf · 05/10/2016 11:19

C for me. I love having a utility room and a downstairs loo is a must. Don't often take a bath as prefer showering but leaving a bath in some form will appeal to a wider audience when you decide to sell.

Sofabitch · 05/10/2016 11:21

C. I'd hate a down stairs bathroom and woukdnt be without a bath

Original poster
breadstickseverywhere · 05/10/2016 11:28

The minus points of doing the extension would be:

  1. blocking up my son's bedroom window and fitting a velux window in the attic space above his room. He would have natural light and ventilation but you wouldn't be able to look out (not that there is a great view at the moment)

  2. The extra cost of having a larger bathroom would be approx £20k

  3. Planning permission would be required, so by the time we'd have found builders (have started this process, groan), we'd be well into next year, and we'd be in this house probably three more years, so doesn't seem worth it.

  4. It's not a straightforward build: it would mean putting a flat roof in between two existing pitched roofs (one built at the wrong pitch) and I can see lots of issues arising, but I'm no expert.

OP posts:
EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard · 05/10/2016 11:29

C makes the most sense.

Original poster
breadstickseverywhere · 05/10/2016 11:31

Thank you for all the replies :)

The upstairs bathroom would be 2.6m by 1.3m and that would be the only bathroom in the house (apart from the downstairs toilet).

OP posts:
SNAPSY · 05/10/2016 12:18

I would go for option c. I have just sold a house with a downstairs bathroom, the estate agent feedback was that although they were marketing it, most people would not view it due to the bathroom. The eventual buyer used it as a reason to negotiate a big discount in the end.

Ifailed · 05/10/2016 12:20

C, I assume the upstairs bathroom includes a WC?

NattyTile · 05/10/2016 12:20

D.

Downstairs utility room, with toilet and small shower cubicle.

Upstairs small family bathroom.

Mrstumbletap · 05/10/2016 12:51

C
Need a utility for washing machine
Need a bath and shower upstairs, shower over the bath is no problem.

namechangedtoday15 · 05/10/2016 12:58

C

CharminglyGawky · 05/10/2016 13:05

C, small bathrooms don't seem to put people off as much as oddly organised ones. The bathroom I grew up with was so small that by my very early teens if I stood right in the middle and stretched I could touch opposing walls at the same time, and I could do that for both sets of opposing walls! It wasn't a problem and the house recently sold (last year) within 3 hours of going on the market... And they had loads of other offers as well so tiny bathroom didn't seem to put anyone off!

Not having an upstairs bath would probably really put off most buyers with young children. It would put me off anyway.

BellMcEnd · 05/10/2016 13:08

C. Definitely C.

YelloDraw · 05/10/2016 13:43

C for me too!

Wrinklytights · 05/10/2016 23:15

C. No bath or downstairs bathroom would be a deal breaker for me with small DCs

Leatherboundanddown · 05/10/2016 23:16

C

user1471549018 · 06/10/2016 08:46

C but is there no way you could pinch a bit of extra space from somewhere to include a full size bath? Corner baths are not popular...

Why don't you post a plan of upstairs and bathroom?

bookbook · 06/10/2016 09:48

c for me too , not a fan of downstairs bathrooms

shovetheholly · 06/10/2016 10:00

Yep, C definitely!

IssyStark · 06/10/2016 16:09

C.

But then that's very much what we have. A downstairs loo is a godsend, and I'd be more put off by a conservatory cum utility and downstairs bathroom than a small bathroom upstairs.