The upstairs-downstairs bathroom debate

[Johno85]

In November we bought our first home; it’s an extended Cottage. We hope to extend in the future but we’re talking 5-10 years down the line.

We have a downstairs utility room that leads to a downstairs bathroom with bath.

Upstairs we have an odd layout with a shower cubicle that goes into the wall space but no bath.

We want to make improvements to the upstairs first but are unsure what to do. We want to take back the stolen space for the shower cubicle and restore the master bedroom to its original dimensions. This would mean having a smaller bathroom upstairs. We’ve been told that we could fit a smaller length bath in along one wall and have a shower over it with a small cloakroom sink and toilet.

Or do we just make the upstairs into a wet room or shower room and just keep the bath downstairs?

We have a 6 month old with plans for more children at some point, although at the moment it’s not too tricky bathing downstairs as he’s so little.

We have no intentions of moving for a very long time, but equally want to ensure we add value for when we do sell at some point.

Any options, advice or experiences very welcome.

I wouldn't want to lose bedroom space just because a bathroom had been squashed in. The point is you do have a shower upstairs and a bath downstairs so this will be a positive on the sales particulars. When your children are teenagers, they will most likely shower more than bath.

Always good to have a downstairs and upstairs toilet, just in case you have elderly relatives visiting that cannot manage the stairs!

We had a short bath at our old house, I loved it and especially handy for bathing children.

Draw out your long term master plan for 5-10 years time and then work backwards to what you need to do for now. What does the final plan look like? Will you do a double storey so that you have a proper family bathroom upstairs. Share diagrams on here and you will get brilliant advice.

Time goes quickly but building work goes slooooowly, is expensive and disruptive - so dont end up doing something and then undoing it - v costly in both time and money - especially bathrooms/plumbing.

Lots of good advice, you’re spot on another ; that’s probably the best way to look at it. It’s easy to just want to get stuff done. We’re insulating our sons room as there’s no way to change it so once it’s completed that’s it.

Sounds silly but is there any simple way of doing the diagrams other than drawing them on paper with measurements?

I am old skool - works well enough for me - rough and ready - think other use online tools (ikea?)