Importance of downstairs toilet?

Red-Squirrel_2

Gers wrote: »

When renovating my current home I had the downstairs bathroom removed and a new one made out of a small bedroom upstairs.

I've retained a loo in the now utility room which houses dishwasher / washing machine and big fridge- freezer. Wouldn't be without it as the stairs here are so old, steep and huge. It's only really used for peeing in and I insist on the lid being closed before flushing.

Being in the country I can see the benefit of a downstairs shower room, but for town living I'm not too sure.

Do you at least have a screen or something to separate the toilet from the other stuff?

I'd feel really weird using that loo, like the ones you see in the 'have a look' thread from time to time where there are toilets in bedrooms completely unscreened in full sight of bed, wardrobe etc. I'd feel weirdly exposed even though I was alone.

Fosterdog

It depends what people are used to, I've never lived in a house with a downstairs toilet. From my parent's home, to my few rentals over the years and now my own home they've always just had a family bathroom upstairs and it's perfectly adequate (although now OH's kids are teenagers we do have to fight for the shower when they visit).

If you've always had one you would miss it but if you've never had one it might be a bonus but not essential. On the same note my parents had a huge kitchen but no separate utility room, my first few rentals were kitchen only for washing machine etc. But my last rentals and now my own house have all had decent utility rooms with storage, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, and extra freezer and unless I had a massive kitchen to house it all I couldn't do without it now.

rosyw

Yes to the downstairs loo, really handy if you have kids, and for visitors. If you have space for a utility room - do it! I wouldn't buy a house without a separate utility room now, had one for so long I couldn't cope without it, really don't like washing machines in kitchens.

Timpu

Yes to the downstairs loo, as long as it's bright and airy. I detest loos that have been shoved into spaces too small for them, such as the cupboard under the stairs. Sorry if that offends anyone . Family have this set up, I never, never use it.

Yes to the utility room, space allowing. No to the shower.

somethingcorporate

We added downstairs utility, WC & shower.

The best thing we did was add a sink to the utility - gets used lots from dirty paint brushes to muddy shoes. The downstairs loo is great with the kids around and the shower gets used frequently when I get home from football and don't want to wake my daughter when I need to use it.

I'd suggest all are useful to have and would make a house more attractive. We created it all from a small room and it cost around £7k all in, including a small set of kitchen units & sink from Ikea. It felt expensive at the time but gets used every single day.

TDPIX

We recently sold a very similar early 1970s house - it already had an open plan kitchen diner (i.e. instead of a small dining room and small kitchen), but otherwise sounds the same.

Before selling, we also thought that the house would appear to young couples and families.

However it actually attracted slightly older people who were looking to downsize, and first time buyers.

The former group were put off by us not having a downstairs loo, so I'd definitely recommend this. I don't think the shower would be too useful however.

Murphybear

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

As you're redesigning the kitchen I'd just make sure you have room for the washing machine in there.

Logically I know its not unhygienic but I can't help finding the idea of a small loo with a washing machine in it a bit weird. Like the room isn't properly a downstairs loo or properly a utility room, but a nondescript space where you've just shoved the stuff that wouldn't fit elsewhere. If it was boxed in in an attractive way, and so were all the bits like washing powder, baskets, pegs etc. it wouldn't be as bad I suppose.

If possible get plumbing for washing machine in kitchen as well as bathroom. Lots of people have dishwashers these days but plumbing for them is still uncommon. I would say big yes to downstairs loo. Even if it's aimed at younger people they will have older visitors. People do silly things like spraining ankles, breaking legs etc and lots of trips upstairs are a nightmare. We live in a 1970s terrace with only one loo and when I had my knee replaced it was a nightmare. We are moving soon to a house with 2 ensuites, one bathroom and a downstairs loo. Can't wait:D

Contessa

In our previous house we had the usual bathroom/shower upstairs and a loo/shower room downstairs. This was so useful.

My morning routine was to potter in the kitchen, making breakfast, packed lunch etc. Then pop into the shower and back upstairs to dress. I could check food in the oven easily. It might not suit everyone but it worked for me.

I would never buy a house with only one loo or bathroom. I have elderly relatives who were both hale and hearty and managed perfectly well with the bathroom upstairs. Unfortunately one has been seriously ill and now the bathroom upstairs is a real problem.

robatwork

On the washing machine topic - this comes up regularly on "in my home" and is a bugbear. I would argue that hygiene reasons are exactly why you want to keep your washing machine out of your kitchen and in your bathroom.

It's where they are kept on the continent, and makes absolute sense. Do you take your clothes off in the kitchen or bathroom?

Also keeps the kitchen free for useful kitchen things like dishwashers and cupboards. Glad to see earlier on this thread we are finally catching up and designing new houses with washing machines in the bathroom.

And as to your question - a downstairs toilet is one conversion that will sell your house in future, so a no-brainer. As to the shower - it's a bit of a specific requirement - I knew one couple who worked off shifts. She showered early mornings downstairs to not disturb her OH. He showered when he came in from his particularly filthy job as the shower room was right by the door. But in general - I wouldn't bother.

System

New build two bed homes have them now - well, the ones down my road.

I know many people that would be put off buying a house if there is no downstairs loo. My parents downsized to a smaller house and one of their must needs was a downstairs toilet. Good job they moved into a house with one as 20 months after moving in, Mum broke her hip and was on zimmer frame for 6 weeks so that downstairs toilet is worth its weight in gold. She now has her sciatica flared up and needs the downstairs loo.