Would you prefer a downstairs shower room or utility in a three-bedroom house?

[EzWin2]

We are currently in the process of buying a three double bed house and we would like to make a few changes. The first thing on the list is the downstairs wet room/wc. We are either thinking of adding a smaller shower with some cupboard space or leaving out a shower completely and making a utility room with w/c. I have attached the floor plan.

I guess my question is would you rather an additional shower and toilet in a three bedroom house or a utility room and toilet?

Meanwhile, for the next 40 years, you have to go without a utility room.

When I was younger living with my parents, we had a shower room and toilet downstairs, we hardly used the shower it became a storage area, and that was with my parents, three young adults in a dog, cat and Rabbit! In my house now we have a utility room and downstairs toilet, the second sink is a game changer for washing pet bowls, pre soaking laundry, washing up messy stuff, we can shut the door on the utility room to keep out washer or dryer noise, so many reasons to have a utility and toilet, but definitely have a door for the toilet.

Utility room and downstairs toilet.

The downstairs looks a decent size, is there already 2 bathrooms or bathroom and en-suite upstairs ? If there isn't then I would see if I could add a shower room upstairs.

Utility. Cannot see the point of a downstairs shower.

Downstairs loo, small corner shower (80x80 quadrant) and utility room in one, personally.

Looks like you should have space in that room to do that if the wall next to the loo can be taken down or reduced in which case I'd turn the door to open the other way and put the washing machine as you walk in with cabinets above it.

I have both, never used the downstairs shower as there is no bedroom down there currently. Definietly utility room is useful.

Downstairs toilet & utility

I have a combined shower room/utility, with the washing machine and tumble dryer stacked in a cupboard. Are you sure you couldn't squeeze that in? Perhaps by moving the door.

With this layout, a shower seems like the better option. I would have said utility, but the space is not enough for it to be decent-sized.

Shower and loo. Utility is pointless really.

What she said

I would say the toilet is the biggest pro so as long as both options include that, I would love a utility room.

We had a large downstairs toilet shower with a washing machine in the corner changed to separate toilet with sink and made a utility which is used everyday so never regreted it.

You can always have some outside storage but an extra bathroom is priceless. I decluttered to get rid of part of my utility to add a compact shower room in less than 3sq.m

I believe having a downstairs WC has been a part of building regs for new builds for quite a few years now.

Considering how small many new builds are I personally think it's a ridiculous waste of space having a downstairs lav.

Utility with loo

This.
my parents have 3 shower rooms, one up and 2 down, you can only use one at any given time. But each is used for different things They did manage to
oit a reasonably sized shower, sink and toilet in .. plus utility in one space using a wall and pocket door (slides open inside the deciding wall which saves space)..
Deoends what you want it for though, my downstairs shower is a must as I shower the dogs in it after muddy walks and before they traipse crap around the house.

Option C: Pantry!

That’s your opinion, but our downstairs loo has been a god send.

1. when my elderly nan visits she can not make the stairs.
2. toilet training my DD was so much simpler with the toilet downstairs.
3. When all guests come they can use the downstairs lav, meaning I don’t have to have my bedroom spotless! LOL
4. When I myself am old I don’t have to go upstairs every time I need to pee.

My nan couldn’t stay in her own house because of the lack of downstairs loo. Wish we’d added one to her house years ago

We have a downstairs shower room. The shower has not been used in 10 years

id suggest a room with the washing machine, toilet and wash hand basin

@T1Dmama yes I understand that lots of people like having a downstairs toilet.
I just think with new builds it should be an optional thing.
But that's just me 🙂

Surely if you removed the 2 half walls (may need RSJs) and hung the door to swing the other way, you could do both, and have a shower room/loo with washing machine as well. I have friends who have this set up in a smaller space than yours. Corner shower unit with curved doors.

Definitely a downstairs loo and utility. Downstairs shower rooms so unnecessary but having a place to store/hide all your laundry, vacuum, mop etc and I’d have a ceiling hung drying rack too. Our house is 4 bed with a tiny en-suite shower, family bathroom and downstairs loo. The only thing missing is a utility!

I believe it’s the law that builders have to build downstairs toilets. I think also that if the house has a downstairs toilet fitted when newly built then you cannot remove it unless placing elsewhere downstairs.