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Original poster

Tricky bathroom/futility room

63 replies

bastardkitty · 14/03/2018 18:10

Hiya, wondering if I can pick people's brains about this awkward room? I just can't crack it. It's a downstairs shower room which needs a total refit, but I'm wracking my brains as to how to fit in a washing machine and tumble dryer and still keep a shower. The door is really tight and can't be moved because of where it is in the kitchen. Would love to see if anyone can solve this conundrum.

Tricky bathroom/futility room
OP posts:
JsOtherHalf · 14/03/2018 18:13

Corner toilet and smaller sink moved closer to.it?

Original poster
bastardkitty · 14/03/2018 18:14

The reason I'm trying to get the washer and dryer in is because the kitchen is also really awkward and would work much better without.

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Original poster
bastardkitty · 14/03/2018 18:15

If I did a corner toilet (is it much work to move the soil pipe?) where would the shower go?

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JsOtherHalf · 14/03/2018 18:17

Or toilet with an integrated sink?
www.bellabathrooms.co.uk/bathroom-suites/toilets/small-toilets.html

retirednow · 14/03/2018 18:17

You can get toilets with a little sink incorporated into it, that would gain a bit more space.

JoJoSM2 · 14/03/2018 18:19

I can't quite make out the numbers but can't you have them stacked up right by the door? If need be, you could install a smaller, narrower washbasin so there's enough space to walk around everything.

cocopops88 · 14/03/2018 18:19

Can't you stack them in the corner next to the door? Replace door with a sliding or folding door?

glorious · 14/03/2018 18:20

Stack them?

Original poster
bastardkitty · 14/03/2018 18:28

They don't fit next to the door unless I can find slimline appliances. The room width is 118cms and the door is 64cm wide so it's really awkward.

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Original poster
bastardkitty · 14/03/2018 18:30

I think the sliding or folding door would help.

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Original poster
bastardkitty · 14/03/2018 18:30

Either narrow or shallow appliances would fit by the door - though they would be against the internal wall.

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OutyMcOutface · 14/03/2018 18:32

Nothing to contribute. Just here to point out that futility room is one of the best typos of all time.

Kelvingrove · 14/03/2018 18:33

I think The Futility Room will be the title of my next novel.

sdaisy26 · 14/03/2018 18:38

Could you get the loo & sink opposite each other - short projection loo would come out around 68cm. Then one of those tiny cloakroom sinks eg a quick google show some that come out 25cm.

It would be tight but may work.

Or would a corner shower cubicle give you room for a sink or the loo next to it?

Scabetty · 14/03/2018 18:40

I love futility room.

Original poster
bastardkitty · 14/03/2018 18:41

daisy I've been wondering that, but the width is 118cm so I'm not sure if corner shower and then sink could work.

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Original poster
bastardkitty · 14/03/2018 18:42

I'd love to claim futility room but I think it's a mumsnet standard Grin

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Original poster
bastardkitty · 14/03/2018 18:45

I could leave the toilet/shower/sink in the current configuration but much smaller and nicer, if I could fit the washer and dryer next to the door. But the width is 118cm so if I make the door even narrower, then standard appliances won't fit through the door. The wall width next to the door is 55cm.

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EggysMom · 14/03/2018 18:48

Dumb question, but do you need to keep the shower? Or is that just a nice-to-have? (i.e. is there another bathroom elsewhere)

safariboot · 14/03/2018 18:48

Sink in top left corner, washing machine and tumble dryer stacked vertically where sink was. That won't be a remotely convenient layout, but it avoids complicating the toilet plumbing and leaves the shower door unobstructed.

fresh · 14/03/2018 18:51

The only thing I can see is that you put the wmc and td stacked on top of each other, next to the door but facing down the room. They will overlap the door slightly but if you took the skirting board off the long side of the room you might just get enough space so that they only overlap the architrave of the door. Where you run your waste and vent for the dryer I don't know! Depends what's on the other side of the short wall at the door end.

Otherwise it's not doable. At 118 cm wide, there isn't enough room to have the appliances with their back to the long wall - you would only have 58cm in which to stand to load/unload and that's not really enough. Your only other option is to lose the shower and have the appliances at that end - is it really definitely 118cm, or can you nick a bit of space by taking the skirtings off? Then you could have them side by side, with worktop over them and shelves above. However, you'd need to move the loo so you could get into both wmc and td (and because you don't really want the loo next to your washing....).

JoJoSM2 · 14/03/2018 18:53

Does the shower get used often? If not, then you could also try to put the laundry area at the back and have a wet room style shower in the room. It would need to be fully tiled and waterproof but could be done.

There's no washing machine in the picture but it's just to illustrate that you don't need a cubicle provided all walls and the floor as watertight. I reckon it would be fine if it's only an occasional shower. If you use it regularly than traipsing over a wet floor all the time could be a bit annoying.

Tricky bathroom/futility room
LonginesPrime · 14/03/2018 18:57

I love futility room

This is exactly what I have too! A useless strip of space behind the kitchen which is good for literally nothing. And I now I have a name for it! Thanks OP!

Original poster
bastardkitty · 14/03/2018 19:00

Unfortunately the shower is necessary, though there is another bathroom @Eggysmom .

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