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Original poster

Downstairs shower or laundry room?

14 replies

ireneadler101 · 05/01/2018 11:49

Hi all,

We are planning our kitchen extension, which will need to include a small loo (there's nowhere else for it downstairs).

We are trying to decide whether we would be better off including a shower in there, or whether we would be better using the space for a washing machine/tumble drier.

What would you find more useful? There is already space in a cupboard next to the loo for the washer/dryer but this could be re-used to store hoover etc instead (or just as more room in the kitchen area).

Current layout attached.

Thanks!

Downstairs shower or laundry room?
OP posts:
whiskyowl · 05/01/2018 12:00

Are you sure you can put a loo there? I'm just asking because it was my understanding that building regs specify that you have to have 2 doors between a toilet and a kitchen. I could be wrong, though.

I think I would be tempted to have a pantry or utility rather than a shower...

whiskyowl · 05/01/2018 12:01

Oops, looks like I'm wrong about that:

www.houzz.co.uk/discussions/3301778/can-a-toilet-be-off-a-kitchen

MaisyPops · 05/01/2018 12:03

I'd have a laundry room. We don't have a utility room and it's something I wish we had.

Battleax · 05/01/2018 12:04

Utility or utility/pantry is far more useful than a cloakroom, IF you have at least two other bath/shower rooms.

notheretoargue · 05/01/2018 12:05

I don’t think there’s any advantage to putting the washing machines in there as opposed to just outside, as you don’t have room to hang clothes or anything in there.

I would probably put in a really large sink, which I would use more often than a downstairs shower - eg to soak things before washing, or for hand washing, or for washing things you don’t want to clean in the kitchen (eg boots/ pets)

Original poster
ireneadler101 · 05/01/2018 15:59

Thanks all - really helpful.

I'm a bit stuck on the idea of having a downstairs loo - but is it really that important? The alternative would be a family bathroom on the first floor, plus two additional bathrooms (one en suite and one on the top floor).

OP posts:
AlpacaLypse · 05/01/2018 16:03

Downstairs loo is always useful. Re laundry - where do people get dressed and undressed? Where does most linen go? Upstairs of course! In my opinion by far the best place for a washing machine and tumble dryer is by the main bathroom! The only downside is that if it IS a perfect drying day outside you have to carry the wet washing down to the garden.

Figrollsnotfatrolls · 05/01/2018 16:04

Hazard a guess which one you would spend the most time in and make it that one!!

TeaandHobnobs · 05/01/2018 16:04

We have a shower/toilet room off our kitchen (in addition to a tiny utility room with washing machine and tumble dryer) - we hardly use the shower because it is a faff to bring everything downstairs, and I’ve noticed it makes guests feel uncomfortable to use the downstairs loo when people are in the kitchen (even with the noise of the extractor fan). So maybe consider if a downstairs shower would actually get used? We all happily use the downstairs loo (very convenient), but I feel like our shower is a waste of space these days.
(This was all in place when we moved in)

Original poster
ireneadler101 · 05/01/2018 16:06

Thanks - I should add that family bathroom on first floor won't be an alternative - rather, we will be having one anyway, so maybe that's enough for guests etc?

We are hoping to start a family in the not too distant future and wondered whether we might curse the lack of a downstairs loo later down the line....

OP posts:
Battleax · 05/01/2018 16:24

I'm a bit stuck on the idea of having a downstairs loo - but is it really that important?

If you're mobile and your relatives are mobile, it's not that important IMO.

OTOH They're handy at potty training stage if you're a SAHP or WAHP. (Less so if you're working from an office through that stage.)

OTOH off the kitchen (especially an eat in kitchen) is a bad place for a WC and a very good place for a utility. And op is right, you'd need two doors.

In our last house (Edwardian) I developed multiple sclerosis (not the normal scenario - ageing relatives is the usual, slower, thing), and had the cupboard under the stairs converted with in a month, with little hassle, which was a better place for it all round.

In this house (modern) we have a combined utility/WC. Do NOT get one of those Smile

And now you have my complete brain dump on the subject Grin

NineFortySixPM · 05/01/2018 16:33

Your plan is similarish to my house - I have the room as a utility/laundry with washer, tumbler & sink. Then where you have that cupboard on the plan, in my house that is the downstairs toilet which is accessed via a door in the laundry room. Which means the toilet is 2 doors away from the kitchen so not embarrassing for anyone to use.

So long as you can fit the toilet and a teeny sink in would that work for you?

NineFortySixPM · 05/01/2018 16:34

Oh and I also have some additional cupboards above the appliances which are under worktop so it’s a bit of a pantry as well to maximise space

PistFump · 05/01/2018 16:36

Defo utility/ laundry room - who wants to traipse wet through the house!

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