Do we make the kitchen bigger or keep the downstairs loo?

Cash-Cows

If you're going to move soon I wouldn't bother. 

Mutton_Geoff

lucieatkins said:

Hi all, looking for advice on making home improvements please.
I live in a 2 bedroom new build, with my husband, built 2015 and we are the first owners. We are due to remortgage soon and I'd like to borrow a bit more to make some home improvements. My husband, isn't convinced on my plans so wanted to see what others thought.
The downstairs is open plan, very small kitchen but a lovely open living room. We have a downstairs loo which I personally think is a waste of space. FYI we don't have kids. The kitchen is 2.12x2.50m, worktop space is limited and I'd like more. We both like cooking but we can't do it together because there's not enough space. We only plan on being here for another 3 or so years so we are going to be doing it on a budget and hopefully it will add value to the property- but will it? Do people buying a two bed house need a downstairs loo? It's a great house for first time buyers with no kids or a baby/young child. My husband thinks having the downstairs loo is better value wise for the house. Sorry I don't have measurements for the loo but it's wide enough for wheelchair access and about 2m in length.
Thoughts please? Thanks in advance.

You are probably suffering from effects of the lockdown. It's a bad move, you'll never get your money back and it's a retrograde step. You are likely noticing this because you're in the kitchen more at the moment and no friends round who might use the downstairs loo.

A gf toilet is great for entertaining in/out of the house as you don't really want friends intruding your private upstairs space when they need a pee during a bbq or dinner or pizzas and beer.

Kitchen being used more than normal, downstairs not, you are bound to consider options but mucking around with a new build is not something I'd do, especially as you'll be selling soon.

TELLIT01

The description of the kitchen sounds a bit like the new build my nephew recently moved into.  Hardly any space in the kitchen, but 2 bathrooms (one en-suite) plus a downstairs loo, in a 2 bedroom house.  Poor use of space in my opinion.  We have never had a downstairs toilet and I can't say I feel deprived.

cognoscenti

As someone else has already said, if you really are planning to move soon (under 5 years) I wouldn't bother.
Why give yourself extra expense when losing the loo could cause trouble when selling and is likely to lose you far more than you might gain with the small increase in kitchen size; YOU might not use it but you really must consider future buyers.

You would be far better off EITHER paying more off your mortgage (rather than paying for a pointless refurb) OR putting that money you would have spent into a savings account ready for when you decide it's time to move.

babyblade41

Another one for no wall units.. 

In our present refurb we were going to extend , there was a storage space to the left of the front door which had some plumbing of sorts in and a downstairs disabled shower room at the end of the kitchen 

Instead of extending we knocked through and took out the shower, utilised the minging cubby hole to the left of the front door and tuned that into  the downstairs loo.. with another door off the porch leading to the kitchen (no loo near the kitchen and separated by 2 doors) 

There is an upstairs bathroom but that's another project for after lockdown.

The kitchen is now 6m x 3m and a bit weird but as we won't be staying we have to work with what we have ... The re-fit was without any wall units and the basic of base units  , a small island on wheels which can be pushed out of the way but we have chairs underneath which can seat 4 easily 

Having no wall units detracts from the narrowness of the space and looks far bigger than it actually is and decoration is white with a few accent colours  with accessories .

I am lucky as I have a walk in larder  which keeps junk out of the way and surprising once you fill your cupboards with what you actually use regularly rather than just filling them with stuff, you don't actually use that much and I cook a lot 

JuzaMum

If you are ever unfortunate enough to sprain your ankle or break a leg you will be glad to have a downstairs loo. 

pickledonionspaceraider

Another vote for not changing anything if you are going to move in three years