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Original poster

Would you rather have a downstairs loo and utility or a downstairs office?

55 replies

Flowersintheattic57 · 06/09/2022 17:45

I’ve bought a 3 bed semi that I’m going to flip as I haven’t a big enough deposit for a house that I want to live in.
So, it has a hall entrance with a room behind the stairs which is currently an office. I think dividing it in half with the loo on one side and a utility housing the washer dryer and storage on the other would be attractive to my intended family market.
What would you prefer : a downstairs office or a loo and utility?

OP posts:
EL8888 · 06/09/2022 18:17

Loo and utility more of a priority

Oblomov22 · 06/09/2022 18:24

Our house is a small house, but they all have an upstairs bathroom and an extra downstairs toilet by the front door and a cupboard for hanging coats. Suits us. I would never have a house now without a downstairs toilet.

Spanielsarepainless · 06/09/2022 18:26

Loo and utility.

Namechangedincaseshesonhere · 06/09/2022 18:27

Definitely loo and utility.

but is this room listed as a fourth bedroom?

Goldfishmountainclimber · 06/09/2022 18:31

Before Covid, I would have said loo and utility, but now with so much WFH I think that home offices are a real selling point. I guess this would depend on your location and potential buyers. Perhaps ask some estate agents what would be the better option for your market?

SunshineAndFizz · 06/09/2022 18:54

Definitely a loo. Could you leave the other room a blank canvas so the buyer can choose?

List it as a study/utility?

ShowOfHands · 06/09/2022 18:59

I'd say toilet and not because I think it's essential for a family. We've never had a bathroom upstairs and downstairs but now we have ailing parents, for them to visit it's become imperative. We are about to build a downstairs toilet extension and in future, wouldn't buy a house without a downstairs toilet.

WimbyAce · 06/09/2022 19:01

Loo and utility definitely. Downstairs loo is a must for me.

Swimmingpoolsally · 06/09/2022 19:01

Loo and utility for me too.

Lulu1919 · 06/09/2022 19:05

Loo and loo and utility even better

WhereYouLeftIt · 06/09/2022 19:07

Loo and utility. No question.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 06/09/2022 19:07

Coffeesnob11 · 06/09/2022 17:47

Loo and utility without a doubt.

This because you can always put a desk elsewhere in the house if WFH.

ThisIsNotAFlyingToy · 06/09/2022 19:07

If you're quickly reselling, you can dress one of the bedrooms with a desk anyway. Definitely a toilet and utility for me as saves having to get a builder to add them.

TheNoonBell · 06/09/2022 19:13

Loo and utility 100%. I say that as a WFH person (who also uses the loo and does the washing)

Original poster
Flowersintheattic57 · 06/09/2022 19:14

ThisIsNotAFlyingToy · 06/09/2022 19:07

If you're quickly reselling, you can dress one of the bedrooms with a desk anyway. Definitely a toilet and utility for me as saves having to get a builder to add them.

The third bedroom is tiny, 6’x7’ , so I’m tempted to dress it as an office, but that would make the ‘family home’ look like a two bedder. And it is big enough for a cot and changing table/chest of drawers.
The second bedroom at 11’ square is big enough for two children to share.

OP posts:
MinervaTerrathorn · 06/09/2022 19:17

Loo and utility

MinervaTerrathorn · 06/09/2022 19:20

Our third bedroom is 9'7 x 5'7 and we have a single bed, desk and filing cabinet in it. Could fit a bed and chest of drawers instead.

Starseeking · 06/09/2022 19:25

Downstairs loo and utility; an "office" can be set up in any room at any time. Not so with the first two!

Original poster
Flowersintheattic57 · 06/09/2022 19:30

MinervaTerrathorn · 06/09/2022 19:20

Our third bedroom is 9'7 x 5'7 and we have a single bed, desk and filing cabinet in it. Could fit a bed and chest of drawers instead.

Thanks for that, good to know.

OP posts:
purplecorkheart · 06/09/2022 19:30

Loo and Utility definetely.

ThisIsNotAFlyingToy · 06/09/2022 19:38

Flowersintheattic57 · 06/09/2022 19:14

The third bedroom is tiny, 6’x7’ , so I’m tempted to dress it as an office, but that would make the ‘family home’ look like a two bedder. And it is big enough for a cot and changing table/chest of drawers.
The second bedroom at 11’ square is big enough for two children to share.

Show quote history

When we viewed this house, the 3rd bedroom was that size and just had a desk in it. It didn't put us off.

justasking111 · 06/09/2022 19:44

Friends who lived in Germany for a long time when they came home bought a house the extension housed a long room with loo and sink one end, washer tumbler etcat the other end they said it's normal and practical in Germany. I'm quite jealous

mathanxiety · 06/09/2022 19:46

Loo and utility.

Can wet laundry be easily taken to the clothes line from the location of the utility though? Is there direct outdoor access to wherever the clothes would be drying or would someone have to traipse through the house carrying a basket of wet laundry?

mathanxiety · 06/09/2022 19:48

I would describe the upstairs as two bed plus flexible room, optional office, nursery, dressing room, sewing/ craft room.

Ikeameatballs · 06/09/2022 19:48

I’d definitely go for loo and utility, combine in one room as a lootility if that makes it easier/cheaper. I’ve been in houses like that and it’s fine.