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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:
Hebeee · 25/02/2022 00:48

Incredibly! We're finally getting around to adding one in our current house (after four long years!), having previously owned a house with two downstairs and two up 😉

Although there's only the two of us at home these days, I'm not sure how we've coped with just the one loo since buying this place. I can't wait to have a loo I can call my own 😁 although I'm quite happy to no longer have to clean four toilets!

MoFro · 25/02/2022 00:51

Downstairs loos are fab for catching with mumsnet in peace :)

WutheringHeights66 · 25/02/2022 05:49

We’ve spent 20 years in this house and it’s grown from a 3 bed one bathroom to a four bed two bathroom. Out of all the things we’ve done, a downstairs loo was the best ever.

PurBal · 25/02/2022 05:52

@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.
We’re planning on putting a downstairs loo in, but I agree that the ones near the entrance / living room can be a bit exposed.
FormerlySpeckledyHen · 25/02/2022 06:02

Yes. Visitors, workmen and all the kids mates over the years have no need to go upstairs.

Davethecat2001 · 25/02/2022 10:19

We're having one built as we speak in the outside pantry area in our house!

Cannot wait.. 4 bed house with just one loo currently.

How useful are downstairs loos?
How useful are downstairs loos?
How useful are downstairs loos?
purplesequins · 25/02/2022 10:23

absolutely

I wouldn't even voew a house without one.

imagine having a broken leg or not being able to use stairs for other reasons.

golddustwomen · 25/02/2022 10:27

Yep! Visitors and toilet training spring to mind! We don't have one and I hate it Angry

JaninaDuszejko · 25/02/2022 10:35

At least with a downstairs loo you're never going to have kids swinging off the door going "muuuuum I need a poooooo" when you're trying to wash your hair.

Ha! We have a bathroom on each floor of the house (so 3 loos), and I still get people knocking on the door when I'm in the bathroom because my husband and children are too lazy to ascend or descend stairs to go to a different bathroom. Every day I have to tell them 'we have three toilets, go to a free one'.

BuffyFanForever · 25/02/2022 10:43

Absolutely 100% needed! We’re moving into our house from a flat in 2 weeks and cannot wait to have more than 1 toilet!!

Legoisthebest · 25/02/2022 10:49

I think I am the opposite of everyone here.... I really don't see it as a must have. I would rather have decent storage space. All this thing about people having to go upstairs? Other than family and close friends how many random people want to use your lav? Why is it ok for family/friends to see your living room/kitchen/dining room but god forbid they see your upstairs landing !!
It really wouldn't be a priority for me. If there was one there - well meh I'd probably use it - but if there was a major lack of storage space (which many new builds have) then the downstairs lav would be the first thing ripped out.

Blossomandbee · 25/02/2022 11:03

It was a non negotiable for me when we were looking for a house. The (young,
childless) estate agent thought it was hilarious but seeing these replies it's obviously not so unusual!
As a family of five it gets used all the time and is handy for guests. As the DC get older and spend longer in the bathroom I don't know how we'd cope without it.

Pellewsmate · 25/02/2022 11:37

As parents and ILs get older and less mobile it is essential otherwise we would have to visit them all the time.

DreamThrum · 25/02/2022 11:40

Obviously they are useful, but I feel the mumsnet obsession with them is somewhat out of proportion to the actual value. I moved into a house with one three months ago, and so far I think it's been used once!

TheSnowyOwl · 25/02/2022 11:41

Even if you don’t think it would be useful or necessary for your family, be prepared to limit the number of potential buyers if you decided to sell. Many people will automatically rule out somewhere without.

BewareTheBeardedDragon · 25/02/2022 11:56

I lived in a duplex flat without a downstairs loo and it was just inconvenient. When I moved to a house I would not have considered one without a downstairs loo. Personally.

Topseyt · 25/02/2022 11:57

Absolutely essential.

We were a family of 5 when the children were growing up and I honestly cannot understand how families ever coped when houses only had one toilet. I grew up in a single toilet house (bungalow). There was always a queue for the toilet or someone ranting at someone else about it.

If you have a two or three storey house then I think a toilet on the ground floor is very important.

Northernsoullover · 25/02/2022 12:20

My mother won't permit number 2s in the downstairs loo for fear of fragrancing the house. Fine, except you practically announce that you are off for a shit if you go upstairs.
OP as someone who parented through norovirus with only one toilet DO NOT remove a downstairs toilet. We seriously considered using buckets (for both ends) at one point.

chipsandpeas · 25/02/2022 12:23

i live alone and my next house will have a downstairs loo cos im lazy

RedCandyApple · 25/02/2022 12:23

I don’t think it is essential as everyone is saying but it is nice, with 5 of us in my house one toilet is a nightmare, if I move I will only be looking for a place with two (one downstairs)

RedCandyApple · 25/02/2022 12:24

@Northernsoullover

My mother won't permit number 2s in the downstairs loo for fear of fragrancing the house. Fine, except you practically announce that you are off for a shit if you go upstairs. OP as someone who parented through norovirus with only one toilet DO NOT remove a downstairs toilet. We seriously considered using buckets (for both ends) at one point.
It was an unwritten rule in our house growing up that you didn’t use the downstairs toilet for pooing. I think everyone will know what you did if you stayed down anyway as they would soon smell it 😂
Crumbs22 · 25/02/2022 12:30

Incredibly useful, could not be without one. Easiest for neighbours/friends/friends' kids to use if they pop round for a coffee etc. Also any tradesmen who sometimes need to use it, would much rather they do not venture upstairs. For me, I would prefer to wash my hands after working in the garden in the downstairs loo rather than at the kitchen sink. Oh for a proper utility room, but that's another thing! As long as you keep it clean and make sure there are air fresheners then there should not be any problems with smells.

cobblers123 · 25/02/2022 12:37

Yes, I live alone and the biggest annoyance when I moved to this property was that there was only one loo. The only way I can have one is to have an extension built and that's just not going to happen - if ever.

It's useful for coming in from the garden as you don't need to traipse upstairs, useful for visitors, especially if they are unable to negotiate staircases (very elderly father and relatives).

I really miss it sometimes and I have workmen in tomorrow when it would be even more useful if they ask to use the toilet.

Bramshott · 25/02/2022 12:47

Agree with others - totally essential for us and I can't imagine/remember how we coped with just an upstairs one!

Looks like in that layout you've got a big cupboard near the stairs for shoes etc, and you can always put coat hooks on the back (or front!) of the bathroom door.

irregularegular · 25/02/2022 12:49

I prefer a downstairs loo, but don't consider it essential. Total number of loos/bathrooms compared to number of people is more important. And if it is really tiny/dingy/airless then I'd rather not bother!