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Property/DIY

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Original poster

downstairs bathrooms - what do you think?

21 replies

Spink · 27/04/2008 08:03

we are looking at moving into a place with a bathroom off the kitchen, downstairs. The 3 bedrooms upstairs are good sizes but we wouldn't want to sacrifice them to move the bathroom. In the long term we might convert the loft to a 3rd bedroom, and move the bathroom upstairs. But that would be in a while.

Is it really so bad living in a house with a downstairs bathroom? would it put you off buying? reality check please

OP posts:

hockeypuck · 27/04/2008 08:16

We've been living in our house with a downstairs bathroom for 4 years now. It is a pain at night and in the morning to be honest, particularly when pregnant, with a newborn or with a child too scared of the dark to go down to the loo so you get woken up to go with them! BUT, I have no intention of moving and love my house, it's really not that big of a deal.

Also, I'd rather have the bathroom downstairs than have only an uopstairs toilet and nothing downstairs. With little ones a downstairs toilet and sink of some type is essential imo. Although I'm sure I'd have slimmer thighs if I was up and down the stairs all day with potty training kiddies

jellyhead · 27/04/2008 08:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nkf · 27/04/2008 08:30

It would put me off. Sorry. Not only does it seem inconvenient, I don't like the idea of kitchen and bathroom so close. If the house was amazing in some way then perhaps.

ComeOVeneer · 27/04/2008 08:33

I'm with nkf on this one. With 2 small children (as I have) who get up at least once a night to go to the bathroom it would be a nightmare.

noddyholder · 27/04/2008 08:47

It does put people off and I think the minimum i would do would be stick in a loo somewhere upstairs for night time.Is htere an airing cupboard or something that could be sacrificed?It is quite common in plder houses but does put buyers off

ecoworrier · 27/04/2008 14:00

Yes, would definitely put me off. I have lived in a house like that and wouldn't again. It's a pain for children, it's a pain for any guests and it really really does put people off buying the house.

The only people I know who are really happy with their downstairs bathrooms are those who also have a loo upstairs even if not a proper bathroom upstairs.

sarah293 · 27/04/2008 14:02

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Message withdrawn

missmama · 27/04/2008 14:05

We only have a downstairs bathroom.
IMO it is more of a pain during the day to have to go upstairs to use one than have to come downstairs during the night.

WanderingTrolley · 27/04/2008 14:15

My pet hate. Well, one of many.....[curmudgeon]

I've lived in 3 houses with downstairs bathrooms and it's a right pain for all the reasons listed above and because you can't take a discreet shite.

A bathroom should only be on the ground floor in a bungalow imo.

I think you may find it harder to sell, but you may find similar houses with an upstairs bathroom are more expensive and clearly not everyone minds a downstairs bathroom.

But don't do it.

sarah293 · 27/04/2008 14:22

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Message withdrawn

mustrunmore · 27/04/2008 14:23

We have downstairs bathroom, nothing upstairs.
I love it!
I was dubious at first, but actually it makes more sense to me.
It seems more hygienic somehow than having it upstairs where you go to sleep.
I get up for a wee at night once or twice, but the only hassle is climbing over the stairgate, not the actual going downstairs. Its great for visitors during the day, as they dont go upstairs into our private space.
And our friend stays 2 or 3 times a week, and has chosen sofa bed over the spare room, because its like a suite to himself down here once we've gone to bed!
And its very easy to clean/mop kitchen and bsthroom in one go, as they're close together.

foxythesnowfox · 27/04/2008 14:30

Another yay here too. I can clean up after tea whilst they are in the bath (bathroom is right next door to the kitchen) which makes things alot easier. Agree with Mustrunmore on everything there.

We do have a shower room with the bedrooms though. If you can get an en suite or loo upstairs it is worth it (there are 6 of us so two loos are pretty essential!) but if you do a loft conversion you'd probably get one anyway.

If you decide to convert your current bathroom will be a really useful space as utility room or even a family room.

If you like the house and plan to stay there I'd say go for it - its so useful when you have LOs. It might, however, be worth checking your local Councils website for planning permission on neighbours houses to see if you can change things later on.

LazyLinePainterJane · 27/04/2008 14:35

Is there not even space to squeeeeze in just a toilet and sink upstairs?

throckenholt · 27/04/2008 14:37

the developer and house programs on tv make such a big deal over downstairs bathrooms. We had one for years and to be honest I would be happy to have one again - but would like at least a loo upstairs (for those night-time trips). I certainly wouldn't lose a bedroom in a small house just to have an upstairs bathroom.

Fimbo · 27/04/2008 15:02

My parents have a downstairs bathroom, next door to the kitchen, I never thought anything of it when I was child. I think I would only be put off, if it was off the kitchen like in some terraced houses. But if it was in the same position as my parents it wouldn't put me off a house.

They do have a cupboard which could be converted to form a cloakroom but it would be more hassle than its worth imo.

badgermonkey · 27/04/2008 15:05

Our old house had a bathroom downstairs and although I didn't love it, it was fine and didn't stop us from selling it very quickly! What we did have was a little cloakroom ensuite off the master bedroom with a loo and tiny sink, which was where we brushed our teeth and so on, and that made all the difference. It was no bigger than a cupboard, really - if you could squeeze one in anywhere it would be worth it.

ScienceTeacher · 27/04/2008 15:08

The three bedroom upstairs would be only a two bedroom if there were an upstairs bathroom.

In our town, most of the Victorian cottages have downstairs bathrooms beyond the kitchen, often incorporating a utility room as well. It's standard.

I know that property shows poo poo downstairs bathrooms, but do they equate an upstairs bathroom with an extra bedroom?

You have to look at wha tyou are happy with. If you think the downstairs bathroom is OK, but not great, offer less on the property.

Original poster

Spink · 27/04/2008 18:38

thanks for all your posts. It is the going to the loo at night thing that bothers me the most (and the need for an out-of-hearing pooing location, totally with you on that WanderingT).
Since being pregnant with ds, I have needed a nighttime pee, and we are ttc now so I hope it won't be too long before it is a once a night trip at least (strange thing to hope for but sure you know what I mean!)
So I think we'll look into putting a teeny toilet and sink upstairs, there is a cupboard on the landing next to the master bedroom that would be ideal....

OP posts:

FAQ · 27/04/2008 18:43

I have a downstairs bathroom, but the previous owners took a tiny "corner" out of the back bedroom and put a toilet and sink upstairs (it's just big enough to get in, shut the door and use it), so it's no bother at all. And still leaves me with a decent sized 3rd bedroom.

Fizzylemonade · 27/04/2008 19:50

Riven - I may be assuming here but I think you said your DC was in a wheelchair (forgive me if I am wrong) so you will be getting a disablement discount which reduces your council tax band down one level (I used to work in council tax)

The criteria usually (I have been a sahm for nearly 4 years so my brain is not as it was) is the person needs to use a wheelchair indoors and that there have been modifications to accomodate them, I think this can be as basic as widening doors.

The next person to have your property wouldn't get the discount as it is based on the person living there not the property itself.

Oh and yes a downstairs bathroom would put me off but only coz I pee in the night and stumbling to the en-suite is a chore

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 27/04/2008 19:52

If it was the only loo in the house it would (and has) put me off buying.

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