Washing machine in toilet?

[doowop]

Would you think it was daft to put a washing machine in the downstairs toilet? Long story short: Recently moved and kitchen is very badly fitted and a very awkward space. If I was to move the washing machine into the downstairs shower room (will have to get rid of shower) it would free up much needed space in the kitchen.

Would you think it odd (thinking of re-sale years down the line) if there was a loo in the same room as a washing machine? Think of it as having a loo in a utility room. So, yay or nay?

[Hassled]

Yay in theory (loo in utility room) but I think having a downstairs shower is too good a selling point to lose. Would you not miss teh shower?

[amazonianwoman]

Yay.

We took out downstairs shower (have massive family bathroom and ensuite) and put washing machine in its place, with the tumble drier on a shelf above in the same space. They're both hidden behind floor to ceiling white gloss doors, with storage to the right behind more doors.

So when the doors are shut it just looks like a downstairs loo with built-in storage, works really well

[bibbitybobbityhat]

I know a few people with washing machines in their downstairs cloakroom - perfectly sensible idea but NOT if you are going to get rid of a shower to do it.

[AMumInScotland]

What other baths and showers do you have? If that's the second bath/shower then I think you'll reduce the resale value by losing it, specially if you have 3 or more bedrooms. Less impact if you've only got 1 or 2 bedrooms and one bath, or if that's shower/bath 3 IYSWIM?

[SuchFunSuchFun]

As long as you have got another shower in the house then I think it would be fine to get rid of the shower and have the washing machine there instead.

Honestly, how many people use a downstairs shower if they have another in the house? (genuine question - I only know 2 people with downstairs shower rooms and neither of them use them at all and are planning to get rid of them) I don't think it would reduce the resale value at all.

[FannyPriceless]

What amazonian described is my ideal - exactly what I was going to suggest. And the huge advantage is you get the noisy washing machine out of the kitchen and shut behind another door.

Am I weird, or am I the only one who can't see the point of a downstairs shower? Assuming you have a lovely shower elsewhere in the house?

[SuchFunSuchFun]

FannyPriceless I'm with you all the way, you just worded it better than I did!

[bibbitybobbityhat]

Fanny, its very helpful when you have people to stay. And for people who can't get upstairs due to mobility problems.

[amazonianwoman]

We had our downstairs shower for 4 years and used it less than 5 times. The room is next to the kitchen, showering next to the kitchen is just weird! If course they're great if you can't use the stairs too well...

We actually left the shower tray in, covered with a thick slab of wood to sit the washer on, obviously removed the shower door.

It would be an easy job to revert it to a shower if needed - the plumbing is still in place. I don't think it would detract potential buyers at all.

[minipie]

Sounds like a good idea to me. Although, is there any way you can make it separately accessible?

We had a long skinny loo. We partitioned off half of it, put in a new door to the new half, and put the washing machines in there. So we have a separate door for our loo and then a cupboard with washing machines in. Would you be able to do this? Bit neater than having the machines in the loo itself.

[vbus]

My parents have this set up and it's perfectly fine. W/M is out of of the kitchen freeing up space there.

No, I don't get the whole shower downstairs thing unless you have a spare bedroom there next to it