All-in-one laundry, loo and boot room - good idea?

[catelina]

We currently have a tiny boiler/utility room, downstairs loo and a very small hall cupboard all next to each other. If we knocked the 3 into one we could create quite a large rectangular space off the hallway that would fulfill all these functions with the bonus of space where we currently have cramped.

I love the idea. But bearing in mind we have half a mind to move in 2-3 years, is this something that would appeal to you?

If the toilet is at one end of the room, could you install something like Japanese sliding walls to separate off the space without having a formal wall? No idea what they're called, only seen them in 1970s films! Like huge sliding doors, but they form walls, generally with paper/vinyl panels.

Use a pocket door that can be slid shut for the toilet and it's a job done.

We viewed a lot of houses with this set up (downstairs WC + laundry room, not sure about the boot room part). I do find it really odd! But in the end we did buy a house with a room like this, it felt like a compromise but we liked everything else.

I thought we'd separate them out and we still might do eventually, but actually it's nowhere near as annoying as I thought it would be so it's not really a high priority now. I just don't do laundry when we have guests round!

Isn't it a lootility? Google it, you'll get tons of ideas.

I think it really depends how you live. My utility room is tiny but even though it's perfectly configured, its quite often a bit of an eyesore. I wouldn't want anyone walking through it to go to the loo.

people are sometimes going to flush without closing the loo seat, and if you have washing hanging on your airer, well ... I wouldn't!

I've got a downstairs toilet/laundry room. When people use the toilet, they have to pass the ironing board (and usual huge basketful of ironing). It's no bother

I should add that the toilet door can be shut, of course, thus closing off the laundry room bit

I think it’s a great idea, it would work well for me!

I personally wouldn't.

I'd make sure every inch of each of the small spaces was used cleverly. Even tiny spaces can accommodate storage solutions - use the walls, the door backs and even the ceilings.

This for example only comes out of the wall 4 inches
www.amazon.co.uk/mDesign-Shoe-Rack-Space-Saving-Wall-Mounted/dp/B07LC3WXJ1/ref=sr_1_19?crid=39RQDDWKDFE6P&keywords=shoes+on+wall+mdesign&sprefix=shoes+on+wall+mdesign%2Caps%2C63&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1642963339&sr=8-19

We have a lootility room and it's great. When we moved into the house it was a downstairs bathroom with a washing machine in it. We redid it as a utility come downstairs loo and took out the bath as it wasn't needed. This gave us space for a worktop and cupboards which is so useful. I'm not precious about guests seeing the laundry, and if they don't like it they can always leave!

I had one of these in a rural house. Through door to boiler on ground, coat storage above, next to that washer with drier above, through to loo, sink and corner shower (mostly used for dogs). It was a very functional room, XH used the shower when he came in from work in the middle of the night without disturbing anyone as it was so far away from the bedrooms.

I don't have a problem with 'particles' from the toilet personally!

We sort of had one. It was a downstairs bathroom when we moved in. Kept the loo but had single wall put in next to it - but no door. Then the rest of the room was fitted as a traditional utility but quite big. So the loo was next to the washing machine but there was a floor to ceiling wall between them.

I looked at a house with one of these spaces and it was one of the main reasons we didn't buy it, just too weird having the toilet in the utility. I would definitely want them separate.

Actually, I have just realised that this is a bit like the sort of what I am planning here OP.

Currently have a fairly big downstairs loo with an understairs cupboard. I am planning on taking a wall out of the understairs cupboard to open up the downstairs loo. The cupboard has a drier in it.

My plan is to replace the loo and sink with one of those combined units with the sink on the top of it and have a built in coat cupboard with storage above, so toilet, sink, drier and storage.

I am just waiting for a builder to quote for it, three people have been round and not quoted, par for the course here atm.

I would not recommend. Not so much about the loo but it’s really helpful to keep boot room and laundry room separate if you possibly can. We have just done this and when we all pile in muddily from walk. Football boots flying around. Dogs shaking water about. I love that my clean sheets are drying in a different space.

I wouldn't put boots and utility together. But downstairs loo and utility is fine.

@Beeinmybonnets

people are sometimes going to flush without closing the loo seat, and if you have washing hanging on your airer, well ... I wouldn't!

Good grief I would never ever think of this. There are germs and things floating around in the air all the time - what is going to happen if a tiny amount of aerosolised dirty water gets on your clothes? Bog all is what (pun intended)

Only if you can find a way to separate/screen off the loo. For me the laundry and boot room is fine as a combo but have seen your update that this isn't an option. But I would definitely not want a loo in with the clean laundry.

I would, but you will have to be a very clean tidy person.

DockOfTheBay, I am with you!!!!

I agree mud and laundry don’t mix well. Can’t get too hung up about the loo but clearly it really bothers some.

If you post a floorplan maybe we would have some ideas?

I wouldn't want a toilet in same room where I clean and fold my laundry. Keep the toilet in its own separate room.

Really interested to know what people do with their toothbrushes in their bathrooms given all the concern about particles in the air…do you shut them away?

Nope user, mine charges on the sink, within 6 inches of the toilet!

I find it all a bit ridiculous tbh. There are far worse things in life than a flushed toilet sharing the same room as your drier or toothbrush.

You mean a lootility?