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Original poster

How useful are downstairs loos?

111 replies

mussinboots · 24/02/2022 20:48

On the search for a property to house us all and I'm seeing quite a few properties with a tiny downstairs loo. We're in a flat currently and with twin toddlers that's a godsend at present with last minute toilet dashes but once they're fully toilet trained, is it worth having a downstairs loo?

OP posts:
ukborn · 24/02/2022 22:09

Yes it's essential. . When I was looking this summer that was a requirement, though I'd be willing to put one in but the space had to be there.

DramaAlpaca · 24/02/2022 22:11

I consider it essential.

Bellabelloo · 24/02/2022 22:11

Essential for me!

Solmum1964 · 24/02/2022 22:24

Wish I'd had one when my children were little. Built an extension about twenty years ago and included a downstairs shower room. Extra toilet and shower made it so much easier for four of us trying to get out of the house in the morning for work/school.
Not planning on moving anytime soon as we reckon we could live downstairs if we are unable to get upstairs.
So yes, a downstairs toilet would be on my 'must have' list for any house purchase but if you have an additional shower then that's even better!

SleeplessWB · 24/02/2022 22:25

I thought it was essential to have one, had one put it... Children won't use it and go upstairs every time!

Whoopsmahoot · 24/02/2022 22:25

We have main bathroom upstairs, an en-suite and downstairs cloakroom right next to front door. God send for kids - play outside, dash in, dash out again. No trailing upstairs to use I the loo. Probably the most commonly used loo in the house and it’s the smallest room.

FinnulaFloss · 24/02/2022 22:32

I'd hate to be without ours.

Our downstairs toilet is down a short corridor off the main hallway, away from all other rooms (hard to explain!). But it's mainly the visitors or the poo loo. Poos are only done downstairs in our house.

In a house with 5 people having a separate toilet for number 2's means you don't have to worry about unpleasant smells when someone needs to use the main bathroom for washing/showering/brushing teeth.

Sounds odd writing that but we can't be the only ones!

Xenia · 24/02/2022 22:35

We have one here and did in our last house too - it is very useful.
(We have 5 bathrooms actually - downstairs loo and upstairs family bathroom and then 3 bed rooms have an en suite and all 5 have been in use at once when at least 7 of us were living here plus friends visiting sometimes, childcarer here etc etc.

Kerrie21 · 24/02/2022 22:41

It's useful but I wouldn't let it sway you.

Our downstairs loo would be better as a cloakroom as we have no space by the door for a coat/ shoe rack.

rbmilliner · 24/02/2022 22:44

Essential - have made mine into a, albeit, small utility room with the washing machine in it. An absolute god send when potty training!

Georgeskitchen · 24/02/2022 22:48

Oh yes definitely!! Wouldn't be without my downstairs cludgy!! 🤣

cherryredz · 24/02/2022 22:48

Yes yes yes you need a downstairs loo!

As others have said its very useful (maybe essential) for visitors. And think about the future - what if you / your children break an ankle and so are not so mobile. Useful too for visiting parents and other older/less mobile relatives and friends who now or in the future may not be physically able to go upstairs.

InTropicalTrumpsLand · 24/02/2022 22:54

I'm guessing no one in your house desperately had the shits while you were showering Envy

Also practical should anyone injury a leg, as well as guests, etc.

worriedatthemoment · 24/02/2022 22:56

Very useful 4 us here and its nice having a bath with no one knocking to say they need the loo like in out old House , plus when we have visitors they don't need to go upstairs ( so i can just tidy downstairs )

Nelliephant1 · 24/02/2022 23:06

Yes

NotMeNoNo · 24/02/2022 23:09

Downstairs loos are a legal requirement in all new houses now because they are more accessible to disabled people/visitors. In fact we don't have one in our house, and we have several family members who sadly cannot visit us because they can't manage stairs.
There are lots of other advantages in having a second loo whether you have toddlers or teenagers or are weird about people going upstairs in your house.
As for being worried about smells/noises - are you a grown up? Hopefully your friends won't be yelling "we know what you're doing" through the door!

TrashyPanda · 24/02/2022 23:12

Wouldn’t be without mine.
Rarely go upstairs during the day.
A godsend for anyone with mobility issues

Ff10n · 24/02/2022 23:16

I would kill for a downstairs toilet (even better if it had a shower in there too). I have much loved frail elderly relatives I I would love to entertain in our home but cannot because they couldn't get upstairs to the loo.

godmum56 · 24/02/2022 23:39

It feels very MC saying this wouldn't want a house without one. So many times it has made stuff easier when a trashed knee or back has made it hard/impossible to get up and down stairs....and the three times I picked up fleas in a client's house, I wished it had a shower in it too! I was brought up with an outddor toilet at the bottom of the garden.

Goldenharp · 24/02/2022 23:40

Our downstairs bathroom gets used all the time. It's off a hallway in the middle of the house - nowhere near potential guests and it's fairly soundproof being an old house.

godmum56 · 24/02/2022 23:40

@Ff10n

I would kill for a downstairs toilet (even better if it had a shower in there too). I have much loved frail elderly relatives I I would love to entertain in our home but cannot because they couldn't get upstairs to the loo.
yes this was my late beloved Mum's only problem when she was independant on a level but couldn't manage the stair lift alone.
BasiliskFace · 24/02/2022 23:44

Essential - me and DH work from home at the back of the house downstairs and if we didn’t have the downstairs loo we’d be up and down the stairs all day. Also it is useful for hand washing before dinner, or just generally after coming in.
What I really want is a downstairs shower/ wet room as well.
On the other hand we looked at houses that had six loos - four bedrooms each with an en suite, a family bathroom and a downstairs loo - that was overkill.

CharacterForming · 24/02/2022 23:46

@mussinboots

Oh wow! I wasn't expecting these responses! I would hate to use someone's downstairs loo for fear of sounds being heard outside, smells, etc. especially a loo right next to the front entrance. I was thinking of converting any downstairs loo to an actual 'cloakroom' for coats, jackets, wellies, etc.
Don't even think about getting rid of it. With four people in the house only one loo is very annoying indeed, especially if it's in the room with the bath / shower.

Also if anything goes wrong with the upstairs toilet or you want to rework the bathroom you have a fall back.

PrettyBluebells · 24/02/2022 23:48

Yes, I like having a downstairs loo, I wouldn't miss my en-suite though.

MrsSugar · 24/02/2022 23:49

Very ! I get my DH to use the downstairs loo as much as possible leaving my main bathroom clean and keeping the nasty smells away from my bedroom lol