Getting rid of the downstairs loo

[SybilWrites]

I live in a typical Victorian Terrace with the kitchen at the back and 2 through living rooms. There's a downstairs toilet in the passage just outside the kitchen door. We don't use it at all! It's tiny and is best suited for smaller children. My kids are all older now.

Meanwhile I have the washing machine and tumble drier in the kitchen. I now work in the kitchen and would like to lock the washing machine and tumble drier away. I could then repurpose the cupboard they are in and for a fridge and free up some space for a desk (so I can stop working on the kitchen table).

What are views on getting rid of the loo? It would still be plumbed in (I assume) if a future buyer wanted to put one back in. I'll be in the house for 2 or 3 more years I should think.

I'm generally a "do what works for you in a house you are living in" type of person, but I have to reiterate - like so many others - what an asset it is to have a downstairs toilet. Like others, I wouldn't buy a house without one, or at least with a suitable space and money off in the budget to install one. So, if you are only staying there 2 - 3 years. I think it would be a mistake to remove one that is there.

If you have 2 living rooms, why don't you set up in one of those ?

Change the toilet for a space saving one. We got ours from B&Q.

Surely you could get rid of the loo whilst you're living there, then just reinstate it when you come to sell?

Do not remove the downstairs loo unless you want to devalue the property and make it harder to sell in 2-3 years.

im looking to buy and currently not considering anywhere without a downstairs loo OR somewhere I can put one.

foor now change it around to suit YOU, just do it sensibly so its easy for new owners to reinstate it to a toilet.

10 years ago, even 5 it wouldn't have bothered me not to have a downstairs loo, but I've since had an accident which reduced my ability & one of my underlying health issues affects my bladder & with knees that have given up, a downstairs loo is a priority, but I'd have to reconsider your layout as I couldn't manage with how tiny yours is, but the plumbing is there (even if it need moving a bit)

do what suits you living there now, just get it written into the blurb if You decide to sell!!

I think, in terms of having a downstairs toilet for those with limited mobility. That limited mobility can come on suddenly - stroke, heart attack etc, or anyone of any age can easily break a leg or ankle or damage ligaments even as a child, teen or young adult.
I mean, not that I think it is only useful for people with limited mobility.... just things like washing your hands on way in to the evening meal if someone else is serving up / using the kitchen sink...... people in the garden not having to traipse upstairs...... visitors.....workmen and so forth......plus of course someone else in the household being able to use a toilet when another person in in the bath or taking a shower.

It's the only thing I won't compromise on when we move.

I'd see if you can do it and reinstate the loo when you come to sell. I have WFH full time before and a dedicate space makes such a difference, but I also wouldn't consider buying somewhere without a downstairs loo.

For 2/3 years, no don’t do it. Even if changing the plumbing is relatively easy it will still cost money and I bet something will go wrong. Plus what if someone in the family is ill, breaks their leg or you need to host elderly guests who can’t go upstairs? Then a downstairs loo would be a godsend.

Instead I would focus on making it nice so people do use it (can you fit a sliding door, or reposition the loo, or get one with an integrated basin on top?) and maybe fitting in a utility either outside or in a bathroom upstairs.

By the way this is what I mean by integrated toilet, not one where you wash your hands in the cistern or similar 🤢

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I have the same, a tiny under stairs loo on the ground floor that no one uses. Apart from the nannas when they come to visit.

Keep the toilet. We've got one downstairs, and it's been invaluable, especially when I was seriously ill and struggled to use the stairs.

Could you WFH in a different room? Have a combined washer/dryer?

Buy a quiet washing machine and tumble dryer.
We have just spent a small fortune fitting a loo under the stairs in a Victorian Terrace - we hated the traipsing upstairs so much.

Isn't that worth it on it's own, being able to host the nannas ?

As this thread is 6 months old, I assume the OP has made her decision by now.