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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Additional shower room downstairs?

36 replies

Fancypants2022 · 25/08/2024 15:37

Hi all. Family of 4 in a 3/4 bed dormer bungalow. Now the kids are teenagers it is clear that one main bathroom upstairs is not enough. We have a downstairs toilet that could be made into a shower room too if we take a little space from the kitchen larder. We would then knock through the kitchen into the dining room to make it bigger and more sociable. I know some people hate downstairs shower rooms but this would be in addition to the main bathroom upstairs. I am just a bit worried about losing value if we are essentially putting people off whilst trying to make it work better for us. The new downstairs shower would be electric so could be used at the same time as upstairs. Does anyone think this is a terrible idea? No space upstairs for an en suite or anything like that as we are already tight for space in the eaves. Any feed back appreciated.

OP posts:

Original poster

Fancypants2022 · 26/08/2024 08:29

Noseyoldcow · 26/08/2024 08:15

Make sure the room is big enough to use comfortably. We had a downstairs shower and loo when we moved in. But the room was just too small; getting on and off the loo involved moving awkwardly so that you didn't hit your head on the opposite wall, and the loo was so close to the side wall that you had to sit there shoulders against the sliding door on one side! The shower was similarly, though not so very badly, cramped. And there was no wash basin at all. Didn't want to lose the shower, but there was no chance of extending the room. So we got rid of the shower, moved the loo and put in a decent sized wash basin. And replaced the sliding door with a regular opening door.

It will be rather small but the layout will mean no awkward moving required hopefully. Good point though - thank you

OP posts:

poorbuthappy · 26/08/2024 08:30

Make sure it can be used at the same time as the other shower.
Otherwise no point!

Original poster

Fancypants2022 · 26/08/2024 08:43

for sure! It will be electric

OP posts:

Pumpy001 · 26/08/2024 08:51

I have a bungalow style house with an upstairs and added a very nice shower room down stairs which replaced the downstairs loo.

Its my retirement plan to give a room downstairs for rent with bathroom.

We still only use the bathroom upstairs but its there just in case of over occupation.

It has added value as its very plush and makes it a 4 bed 2 bath set up

Original poster

Fancypants2022 · 26/08/2024 08:56

Thank you - and to everyone. I feel much better about moving forward with this. By adding the shower room and knocking through the kitchen it means you can circle the whole downstairs and will hopefully feel less disjointed

OP posts:

halava · 26/08/2024 09:00

I live on my own and have both an upstairs full bathroom and a downstairs shower + loo.

To be honest I never use the d/s shower (electric) but I got it installed same time as converting a useless space (brooms and crap store!) for my advancing years. I future proofed (I think!) so that if I ever got sick or whatever I could live downstairs. I'm in my sixties now, and while I don't use it, I'm glad I have the option for the future.

BigDahliaFan · 26/08/2024 09:08

It'll make life so much easier for you, you are likely to sell to a family that will appreciate it. I wish we had made room for a downstairs shower when extending.

If the new owner hates it it's reasonably easy to take out.

user1471538283 · 26/08/2024 13:44

It's a fabulous idea! When I get our bathroom replaced we are having a small shower room put in as well. Like you it will be electric just in case.

I can't see how it would devalue your home.

PerkyMintDeer · 26/08/2024 13:49

It's not a problem for selling.

We're looking to move and will be doing multigenerational living, caring for a disabled relative. It's been so hard to find a decent property with a big enough downstairs loo to create a wet room, or a non-open plan downstairs layout with either two sitting rooms or a sitting room and a dining room that we could have as a downstairs bedroom.

The properties we've seen that already have both (or one) are in high demand and "offers over" gets ridiculous. Lots of us are looking for downstairs shower rooms or the potential to make one it seems.

Original poster

Fancypants2022 · 26/08/2024 14:06

Thanks so much! Phew! It’s just so hard to know what to do when the housing market is so unpredictable, so investing further is a bit of a worry - but you have all helped me realise it has to work for us and other families are likely to have the same issue.

OP posts:

JC03745 · 26/08/2024 14:08

We've recently renovated and changed the downstairs toilet to add a shower. Its brilliant! Its just DH and myself, but we love it- for all the reasons mentioned.

-If space is very tight, consider a combi toilet/sink. Some do have larger sinks, or ones for a corner or on the side, depending on the space and layout
-A door opening into the room will take up about 1m2 of floor space. Consider a sliding, pocket door, or a door that opens outwards into the hall. An outward door is also safer, if anyone ever collapsed on on the other side. https://www.rocketdoorframes.co.uk/blog/cramped-bathroom-layout-you-need-a-sliding-pocket-door-kit
-If a shower cubicle wouldn't fit, you could make the entire room a wet room. Not ideal, as you'd have to somehow keep towels and toilet paper dry, but its an option used on boats/caravans.

If you shared a drawing of the size, layout, windows, door etc, we might have some ideas for design.

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