A first floor half bathroom is a rather desirable thing nowadays.

It allows guests to not go all through the house to 'private' areas to use a bathroom.

Losing it would likely have a significant impact on resale and value.

So, in essence you feel walking into the bathroom directly from the dining room or kitchen is ok?

I can't see anyone using that bathroom at all when we're eating dinner or if I'm in the kitchen preparing a meal. The dining room table is literally 2 steps away from the bathroom. No joke.

The only time I can see anyone using it, is when my partner and I are alone or, when people are in the living room just hanging out. Once a meal is served I'd think anyone who had to use the facility would head upstairs due to the proximity of the room being so ridiculously close to where the food is being served.

It's a hard call - I know :(

I once bought a three storey five bedroom late 19th Century home with one original bath and an added one in the kitchen. Charming. I gutted the first floor and removed it. Maybe there is some place you can add a two-piece on the main floor that is less obtrusive. Here they are often squeezed in under the stairs to the second floor.

Funny you should mention that Worthy. My partner, earlier today, said he thinks there may be space under the stair to do just that. He sort of remembers there being a landing area, before making the turn into the basement and thinks there is probably enough dead space under the stairs because of the landing area (I'm probably not explaining this very well and frankly, I don't remember this at all, so we need to get back into the house to have a look again).

I hope he's right as that would be the answer we're looking for. I'm not so sure about the wall height for a door myself, but I'm not the architect so I'll keep my mouth shut for now on that account :P

{{!gwi}}
Photo: AATKB.co.Uk

Here's a great example of how you can use space-saving fixtures to squeeze
in a stylish half-bath in a tight space.

Don't forget space-shaving corner sinks and W.C.s.

Worthy, that looks like the solution to the OP's bathroom problem! Looks good and very practical use of otherwise "dead" space.

Can you post a rough floor plan?

We own a 150 year old farmhouse. Center staircase (not sure if that is a 4square?).

Our ONLY bathroom is off the kitchen, behind the dining room. When we insulated we put in soundproofing insulation and have never had any issues (we do not have an eat in kitchen... and from the sink to the bathroom door is likely 12-15 feet).

Having lived with only one bathroom for the last 4 years, I would do ANYTHING to have another!! (We have a roughed in space upstairs, but $$$ means it will still be a while!)

This is the original layout of our house... we have pretty much left it alone (except we closed off the second door to the bathroom.

{{!gwi}}

Your floor plan is way better than mine lol.

Anyway - I finally got the attention of my friend, who was my boss, the architect. He came up with a way to handle things, which leaves the bathroom in place. Basically, it will be entered through the Butler's Pantry in the Dining Room, which essentially gives the illusion of entering through a small "hallway"; instead of entering it directly through the door IN the dining room or kitchen themselves.

Much better idea. This way you're not literally bumping over someone's chair while eating to get into the room or, visually seeing the toilet while cooking. And I don't feel like I have to rip it out either, which really pained me to do.

BTW - we did look into putting it under the stairway but there wasn't enough wall space at all, let alone head clearance even if there was.

I think we'll be able to live with the Pantry entry. We don't need to use that space as a pantry per se anyway - it's just going to be used for storage. It will then have 2 doors also, leading in which should cut down on the noise level and we'll be adding a fan as well to help. Thankfully there's a window in there, so the room in the end should wind up being a nice space, although awkwardly placed.

Could be worse.

That's awesome that you found a way to keep the bathroom with an entry that fits your lifestyle better. This discussion draws my curiousity though. I don't know if the homes in my area are just older, some more than 100 years old, but many of them only have 1 bathroom and it is off of the kitchen because of the proximity of the plumbing. I've never thought anything of it, and I've never really seen anybody get up from the supper table to go to the bathroom while in the middle of a meal. Usually these bathrooms are designed so that you don't see the toilet from the other room which is a good idea no matter where the bathroom is located, not only for aesthetics, but also for privacy in case somebody accidently tries to come in while you are busy and the door didn't get locked:)

If you want to keep the bathroom you could install a very good fan and keep a spray can of air freshener in the bathroom.