Removing downstairs loo, will we de-value the house?

Charliezoo

Bit of a dilemma, we love our 3 bed semi but the kitchen is quite small considering the size of the rest of the house. We could knock through into the lobby area of the house to make a much bigger kitchen but it would mean losing the downstairs loo. We're fine with this as there is an ensuite shower/loo upstairs in our bedroom as well as the family bathroom so we don't really need the cloakroom ourselves but could this cause problems with selling in the future?

silvercar

A big kitchen is always nice and you do have two loos already. On balance I would go for it.

TrickyDicky101

From my point of view, having a downstairs toilet is extremely convenient especially for those of us with young families. It would therefore appeal to me very much if I was looking. Whether it is more important than a bigger kitchen I don't know, but on balance I would say the toilet is preferable.

pinkteapot

To me, a downstairs loo in a three bed semi wouldn't be a necessity. I'd expect one if looking at say a four bed detached. Have a look at Rightmove - do other similar houses in your area / price bracket all have them?

A downstairs loo is certainly a nice-to-have for a young family but I'd say a decent sized kitchen would rank higher on the list of wants. What size is your kitchen now and what size could it be with the alterations?

If you're planning on staying put for a while in the house, I'd go with what's going to make it a better home for you...

RenovationMan

I'll go with the other posters and say that if I were buying a three bed semi I wouldnt expect to have a downstairs loo and that I'd certainly pay more for a house with a good sized fitted kitchen than one with a small kitchen and toilet.

Just make sure that anyone buying your house in the future is so bowled over by the fitted kitchen that they dont even think about whether they would want a downstairs loo.

poppysarah

Two loos is enough.
But a downstairs one is handy if you have infirm guests who can't make it upstairs.

fiscalfreckles

Our last house (3 bed semi) had no downstairs loo & we didn't mind that at all. However, we were amazed that almost every viewing asked about it & started working out where they could put one. The people who eventually bought it did put one in.

But I suppose as long as you can show them there is room to do it if they wish (although it would mean undoing all your work!) that would be OK.

I personally wouldn't mind, & I don't think it will alter the value - a nice kitchen might even add value. But it is a factor for a lot of people.

mlz1413

If your planning to stay in this home another 5 years then do what YOU want with it.

If your doing it to improve and hopefully get a higher price in the near future then get a couple of local estate agents in and ask them what price difference it would make.

IMO 2 loos is enough and I would appreciate the bigger kitchen more.

Could you compromise and leave a tiny loo and use the rest of the space for kitchen?

ReadingTim

Depends also on what you use the kitchen for, now and if you extended it. If it's just for cooking/food prep then is adding extra (potentially wasted) space worth the loss of a loo?

But if you use it for eating in now, or if the extra space would allow people to eat in that room, then the loss of a loo might be worth it, especially if you've got 2 already.

westlondonbuyer

As the thread above illustrates, some people would like you to keep your loo downstairs whilst others would prefer a bigger kitchen. There's a buyer for every property, but unless you're planning to sell imminently, why does it matter? Do what works for you and your family - a happy family in a lovely home is worth more than a hypothetical amount of money a hypothetical number of years down the line.

tbs624

The small additional space afforded to your kitchen by removing a downstairs lav is probably not worth it.

Downstairs lavs of much value to families with small kids and older people/ those with a disability. Some folk prefer visitors to be able to use a lav that does not involve them invading the upstairs living areas.