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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Shower in downstairs loo?

16 replies

Elpheba · 08/04/2022 19:18

We’ve just bought a 3 bed semi- needs total renovation so as part of that we’re putting in a downstairs loo. I don’t know whether we should add a shower to it for longevity in the house.
DC are currently 4 and 6 so us all sharing the upstairs family bathroom is fine for now but I wonder if we’d want another shower later. But.
With a combi boiler I’m not convinced you could have two people showering at the same time anyway? And, adding a shower to the downstairs loo will take precious space from my utility room. Plus it’s another shower to clean which probably won’t be used very much at all, for years possibly. I’m very much leaning towards not bothering but wanted to check what others would do…

OP posts:

SuperAsymmetry · 08/04/2022 19:19

Put an electric shower in instead. If you've got the room and are planning to stay there long time it will be worth it

derekthe1adyhamster · 08/04/2022 19:20

We have. It's great, it's an electric one so doesn't affect the one upstairs that runs on the combo boiler.

tealandteal · 08/04/2022 19:33

Partly depends on the layout of your house, our guests sleep downstairs but have to go upstairs to shower. If I could have one here I would, alternative an electric one. Also good to have an electric shower in case the boiler ever breaks.

Wilma55 · 08/04/2022 19:39

We had one put in when had kitchen extension done. Great when partner had knee op and stairs were hard. Also good when have guests. I imagine good if have a dirty dog too! Ours is electric too.

mdinbc · 08/04/2022 19:44

I would if you have the space. You will be amazed at how long teenagers spend in the shower and in front of a mirror.

Ditto the dog shower as well! Just get a shower head that can be used with a hose.

AwkwardPaws27 · 08/04/2022 19:45

We're keeping a bath downstairs (we only have a shower room upstairs, had to steal a bit of a bedroom to squeeze that in!).
Handy for the dog & when DC arrives I'm hoping to palm off bedtime to DH every now and then & lock myself away downstairs with a glass of wine & a book (whereas upstairs I'd probably just hear "Muuummmmmmmm")

NotwatchingSpooks · 08/04/2022 19:46

As others have said, but also it means that even if you don’t run the showers at the same time, you can shower when someone else is using the other bathroom.

I would if I had the room, even if you just go with a tiny shower or even a wet room floor without a cubicle.

Yellownotblue · 08/04/2022 23:42

I would previously have said not to bother, but MIL is now too frail to manage stairs, so we’re putting a downstairs shower in so she can come and stay (she lives abroad). Am also hoping for a puppy once the house is done 🤞, so a dog shower will be handy

DramaAlpaca · 09/04/2022 00:23

One of the few things I regret about my house is not putting in a downstairs shower.

Peregrina · 09/04/2022 00:33

We have one too. We did wonder whether it was the right thing to do, but our builder at the time pointed out, that for people like him or anyone doing a job where they get dirty, they can come straight in and jump in the shower and not trail their dirty clothes through the house. We did this ten years ago and have never regretted it. Ours is also electric.

Toddlerteaplease · 09/04/2022 02:40

I would. My parents downstairs shower was a life saver when my dad hurt his knee. (Fortunately their bedroom is also downstairs)

Toddlerteaplease · 09/04/2022 02:41

My friend had an extension and had one put in that,

Stopsnowing · 09/04/2022 02:49

I know someone who has one in the under stairs cupboard like a wet room. Doesn’t take up much space

Starseeking · 09/04/2022 06:40

I would definitely put a shower room in to future-proof the house, if you've got the room.

You could reconfigure the space to make a lootility room, if you're worried about losing your utility room. My friend had a lootility in her old house which was lovely. Now she's moved house, she's put in an under stairs shower room, as she couldn't be without the second shower. Her DC are all under 7. The shower room is amazing, and doesn't take up much room at all.

Philandbill · 09/04/2022 09:15

We had one out in when we did our kitchen extension. It's not big but it's functional and we put in an electric shower. We have two teens and I wouldn't be without it. But then again I don't mind having a tumble dryer in the kitchen. Kirsty Allsop would be disgusted by me but I don't care about her opinion

CasperGutman · 09/04/2022 21:25

We added a downstairs loo with an electric shower as others did. It's great with a combi because they can both run at once. Plus we can still shower and get hot water if there's a problem with the boiler or gas supply.

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