Ideas on converting downstairs loo into storage cupboard?

scatts · Post by **scatts** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:21 pm

Hi all,

I hope someone here can give me some ideas on how to go about converting my downstairs loo into a storage area.

Basically, due to the arrival in 5 months of a new baby, and the lack of money needed to move to a larger property I am looking at ways to create more storage.

We don't use the downstairs toilet and so feel it would be put to much better use as a storage cupboard. (For the buggy, baby bath, changing mat and all these other things the missus is telling me we need).

The dimensions are 1900mm x 900mm with a door almost central and a window at one end.

I would like it to look fairly professional without paying a professional to do it. I'm an engineer by trade so I have an appreciation of tools and dimensions and the sort, but as far as carpentry goes I'm a bit of a novice.
I just don't fancy putting up some cheap shelves with brackets showing.

Even if someone has links to some pictures of storage cupboards to give me some ideas that'd be great.

thanks

regards

scatts

skiking · Post by **skiking** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:35 pm

Welcome

and congratulation

From experience I'd recommend keeping the downstairs toilet

- a few years down the line you'll understand

A picture of your current layout will be helpful

Hitch · Post by **Hitch** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:48 pm

Id be inclined to keep the downstairs toilet too.

Youll soon find homes for the stuff. Changing mats slip nicely behind tv units....

Prams fold down and dont take up much room in a hallway.
Baby bath, he/she will soon be out of that, and so cheap it aswell to let it hang round then ebay it or something.

Plus, come time for potty training, youll be glad of the second toilet

scatts · Post by **scatts** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 7:12 pm

Thanks for the tips.

I think you're both right, it's probably a much better idea to keep the loo as it is. I'll probably look at putting a vanity unit around the sink and possibly some sort of storage cupboard above the cistern.

I didn't mention it in my first post but the house is a 2-bed Barratt new build with one of the bedrooms currently being used as an office, hence the need for space. Our only storage area is under the stairs. Our airing cupboard is large but contains water tank, expansion tanks and about 6 miles of pipework that looks like spaghetti junction. Would love to get it moved into the loft but I expect that would be an expensive move.

just have to build a shed in my postage stamp garden!!!

thanks for the replies

regards

scatts

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 7:39 pm

If it is anything like my girlfriends house the loft will be a nightmare- there is timber all over the place!

dirtydeeds · Post by **dirtydeeds** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 8:01 pm

ive got timber in my loft

it keeps the tiles off the ceiling joists

Hitch · Post by **Hitch** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 8:44 pm

Truss roofs are a pain to walk around in.

jason123 · Post by **jason123** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 11:01 pm

Is this a first time Dad panicking

don't worry mate in only gets worse.

I have a nine year old girl wearing eye liner and rolling her skirt up to make it shorter, I dont think she even realises what she is doing

My lad now 11 blames me for unsubmitted homework, because the printer doesnt work properly, and he cant remember what he changed his school email address password to.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 7:40 am

As other have said keep the loo, it is essential. Lots of storage can be created in odd areas such as under window seats in bays, the well above the stairs even underfloor storage bins if you have suspended floors. Beds with drawers under, bunk beds that give room under for desks etc. Have a good look at what space is usable and have a think what you can do.

DWD

Wood Magnet · Post by **Wood Magnet** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 5:02 pm

Most of all get a shed, you can always escape to there when
the going get's tough.

scatts · Post by **scatts** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 1:01 pm

Thanks for all the tips.

How easy would it be to adapt the well above the stairs and if I got it done professionally what sort of cost would I be looking at?

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 9:02 pm

It depends on how you can access it and whether you have sufficient head room to play with. Essentially it is a boxed in platform and much depends on how well you can fix it to adjacent walls to take the load, It might be that you can access it from the room that is above the stairs forming a door from that room in. Simple joinery and stud work, could be plastered but you could just paint the plasterboard. If you had a go yourself I reckon the materials would be around £300, I would think a chippy would want a couple of days which will vary depending where you live.

DWD