Understairs WC

[Pupster21]

We currently have a downstairs toilet at the back of the house off the kitchen via a porch. I’m thinking of moving it to under the stairs but it would be tiny where as currently it’s quite a good size. By moving it we’d be able to have a utility room where the current toilet is which would provide enough space for washer, dryer, ironing board, possibly a drying rack and some storage. DH is unsure as it would be tight for a toilet under the stairs. What are your thoughts on what would work best, we’re possibly hoping to move in 5 years time but are doing some work first including a new kitchen where the washer, dryer currently are.

sounds like your utility is big enough to house the toilet as well tbh.
well laid out with stacked appliances should be possible and more pleasant than an understairs bog.

I'm putting one in and I believe the absolute minimum space is 70cm by 120cm. My current one is a spacious 90cm by 170cm (and there's a cupboard at the end which is easily accessible). My next one will be a cosy 80cm by 155cm, but still plenty big enough. Measure the space underneath and see how it stacks up. Its not a toilet to longer in, so you really don't need much space, and a utility would be great addition (adding value)!

Linger in, not longer in. Jeez.

@redcandlelight

sounds like your utility is big enough to house the toilet as well tbh. well laid out with stacked appliances should be possible and more pleasant than an understairs bog.

It’s an awkward space really so wouldn’t fit both as to make the utility bigger I’d be knocking a wall down that currently sections off the toilet from the porch if that makes sense. Because it’s off the kitchen it needs 2 doors between the kitchen and a toilet so can only knock the wall if no toilet in there.

I know a few people with an under stairs toilet and none of them are particularly cramped

I think what you've proposed is a good plan unless your downstairs loo gets a lot of traffic or someone disabled needs to use it. I think you'd be adding value to your house as well.

I live in a house with both a utility and understairs loo and both are marvellous!

@Changingwiththetimes thanks for the dimensions, I’ll measure it up.

it's also about head hight.
can you stand up straight and wash your hands? or would a person of normal height (up to 6ft) bump their head each time?

disability is a good point as well. can a person with squeaky knees sit down with the doors closed?

My cistern is under the stairs and toilet and small sink is other side of the wall, so doesn't take up as much space

I pretty sure you don't need 2 doors any more as long as there's a washbasin in the toilet "room".

A friend has an under stairs toilet and it's fine. It's a house with fairly high ceilings so the angle of the stairs means the space for the loo was there. They have one of those tiny sinks so the floor often has splashes near it, but it's no biggy and a good addition to the house. I think the utility you would gain sounds fantastic so assuming you can stand up in the new toilet space is go for it

Go for it. All the houses round here have loos under the stairs as normal, and a utility room will be really useful.