first “photo remodeling” idea
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Sketching laundry room area – the design
Notes:
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Starting From Scratch:
If you are going to remodel – or build an extension or addition – that will become the laundry room area, let’s begin with an empty room where the laundry design will take place.
- The first step is to determine size of the room. Will the remodel, extension or addition give you enough square footage to support the many different laundry features you would like? We referring to the appliances, folding area, and general storage for both laundry and other home utility needs.
- If the area is big enough, then the configuration will be easy to design. If it is small or confined within an existing area, then you will need another configuration (such as stacked washer/dryer) to make this room functional. The size of the area will determine configuration, type of appliances and other laundry amenities.
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The Configuration:
With an empty room in mind, let’s configure a “rough sketch” of how to setup the room. This will include the following:
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Plumbing:
The plumbing will require both hot and cold water intakes – plus a drainage pipe for draining. This will require expertise to correctly install the necessary plumping.
- If you are remodeling an existing laundry room area with installed plumbing, your task is to make sure the current plumbing functions properly and is up to code. If you are installing new plumbing for an extension or addition, you need to plan where the planning will be located for both the washer and utility sink, if any.
- [view laundry plumbing rough-in diagram]
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Electrical (or gas):
Laundry rooms will need a dedicated circuit for operating electric dryers or a grounded circuit for gas-powered dryers. If gas powered, you will need to install a natural gas line to the laundry room.
- Washing machines need a regular socket with properly grounded branch circuit and circuit breaker. You also need to plan other electrical boxes and sockets for lighting, plug-ins, and other electrical needs.
- [view laundry room wiring diagram]
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Venting:
The dryer needs an outside vent for heat and lint – this is an important feature to maintain the dryer unit and to avoid potential fires. Note that lint can be very flammable; and with drying heat and condensation, it’s best to vent outside to avoid any potential fire hazard or lint dust.
- If your laundry room has an outside wall, then venting can be very easy. If the laundry room is within the home interior, you will need an extended vent that slopes on a grade to the outside to avoid condensation build up that can cause a leak.
- Washing machines (and another plumbing) will also need to be vented to avoid sluggish smells that can come up from outside sewer lines.
- [view dryer venting diagram]
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Lighting:
Now for lighting – you want the room to be bright and task oriented for the work at hand. You can use ceiling light – flush or semi mount – that illuminates the entire room. You might also consider task lighting – recessed, spot and under-cabinet lighting – for areas where folding or other tasks will be performed
- [view laundry room lighting ideas]
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Flooring:
The best flooring is simple vinyl or linoleum – or if your budget allows, consider using luxury vinyl to give the floor a wood- or stone-like look. These flooring types are best in the event of a water leak and/or damp clothes that are often discarded in the laundry room. Real wood or tile would be a maintenance nightmare to keep the floors looking nice.
- [view laundry room flooring ideas]
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Walls – Windows – Doors:
Walls can be painted in your favorite color. Windows are nice to bring in fresh air – laundry rooms can become a bit stuffy depending on what is being washed. So if your laundry room is located in the interior home, you might consider a air vent or fan to air out the room.
- Make sure you install a door entry that can be closed to shut-out the appliance noise when you have other important house tasks to complete. And don’t forget laundry room decor to make your room totally unique and fun.
- [view laundry room wall decor ideas]
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ideas to view and compare from the photo above
second “photo remodeling” idea
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Add washer and dryer
Notes:
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Stationing the Appliances:
Once you have a rough draft on the laundry room design, you need to pick the type of washer and dryer units for the room. The type will include size, access, heating element, and where best to station these appliances.
- The “station” is how you will arrange the appliances – that is key as you plan the respective plumbing and wiring. Most washer and dryer units are together – side-by-side. That arrangement works best in larger sized room.
- Another arrangement is for the washer to be placed against one wall and the dryer on opposite wall – generally next to outside wall for venting. For smaller-sized rooms, you may need to stack the units.
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Types of Appliances:
The type of laundry appliances include the following:
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Front-Load Washer/Dryer:
Probably the most popular type and commonly found in many homes. The advantage of front-load washers and dryer is the use of gravity to both wash and dry clothes (as the drum rotates, the clothes on top drop to form an agitation motion for cleaning and drying – better treatment on clothes).
- Front-load washers use less water and come with super-speed spins to wring out excess water before transferring to the dryer.
- Another advantage of front-loads is placement. You can station the front-loads under a countertop for space utilization. You can also stack them if the manufacturer brand allows for stacking.
- The big disadvantage of front-loaders is loading. You have to crouch down and reach into the appliance to insert and remove clothes. This can be difficult for some people. You can reduce the bending by adding a pedestal (with storage unit) to raise both appliances. But that will take away any countertop that was planned for over the units.
- [view front-load washer ideas]
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Top-Load Washer/Dryer:
Newer top-load washers work just like front-loads except using a tumbler, the barrel inside the washer rotates back and forth really quick. It also calibrates the drum for maximum balance. Top-loader also use less water and comes with maximum spin to wring-out clothes.
- The advantage of top-loads is access. No bending down or crouching to insert and retrieve clothes. You can find matching top-load dryers that load from the top; it makes for easier retrieval.
- The disadvantage of top-loaders is that you can’t stack them. And you can’t station them underneath a countertop – which may not work in smaller laundry room areas that need a folding countertop because of tight spaces.
- [view front-load washer ideas]
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Dryer Heating Elements:
Drying units come with two heating elements; electric and gas-powered. With electric, you will need 220V wiring; with gas, you will need a gas line connected to the dryer. Most drying units are electrical power heating units.
- Again, dryers need to be vented – so the unit needs to be stationed where a venting duct and tube can exit to the outside.
- view outside reference: how to vent a dryer
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Stacked Appliances:
For tight laundry rooms, a stacked washer/dryer unit may be the best option. These will be front-loading types with the washing unit on the bottom and dying unit on top. There are stacking kits that may be required to properly stack the appliances.
- Some front-loaders can be stacked, but not all. Be sure the check the manufacturers specifications prior to purchasing. The are some units that are designed for stacking – with some small units that have a top-load washer and the front-load dryer stacked on top.
- The biggest challenge is reaching into the dryer drum when it is stacked – especially for shorter individuals. You might need to pick up a step ladder or other in order to operate the drying unit correctly.
- [view front-load washer ideas]
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Combo Units:
You can find units that have a combo washer and dryer in one unit. You simply insert the clothes into the drum, run the wash and rinse cycle, followed up with the run of the drying cycle. No need to move clothes from one unit to the next. And having one unit can save space for small laundry rooms.
- However, the combo washer/dryer are still in development and some do not dry the clothes properly. They also extend the length of doing laundry – if you have several loads, you must wait for the complete wash/dry cycle before starting another load. That can make for a long day in doing laundry.
- view outside reference: pros/cons washer dryer combo
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ideas to view and compare from the photo above
washer/dryer combostackable washer/dryerwasher dryer pedestal
| Supporting Resources (opens new win) | |
| WHAT TO KNOW: about front-load washers | |
| WHAT TO KNOW: about top-load washers | |
| YOUTUBE: how install washer/dryer | |
May We Suggest Other Photo Remodeling Ideas About
“More About Laundry Rooms”
third “photo remodeling” idea
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Laundry and home utility storage
Notes:
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What Do We Mean By Utility Storage:
One of the key advantages of remodeling the laundry room area is building extra space for other home utility needs. Home utility means cleaning machines and tools like vacuums, carpet cleaners, brooms, wood floor dusters, mops, and all other cleaning tools that can be nicely stored and organized.
- Home utility also includes cleaning supplies, household trinkets such as batteries, tape, staples, and other misc. needs, sewing machines, and perhaps other wares and linens that are not frequently used.
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Laundry Storage Too:
Yes, the laundry room is for storage and managing everything laundry. So what should be considered for your laundry room area:
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Folding Counter:
Counter space where you can sort clothes for washing and then folding after the drying cycle. The counter is a great place to add items that may be needed to treat stubborn stains for clothes and fabrics.
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Base Cabinets:
You need base cabinets to support the countertop. The cabinets can become the storage for laundry and other household supplies.
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Ironing Board Cabinet:
The tall cabinet that sits atop the base cabinet – or attached to the wall – where when opened, the ironing board comes down for ironing needs. Once the ironing is done, you simply lift the ironing board back up into the cabinet for out-of-sight storage.
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Floor Cabinets:
Large floor cabinet closets for storing cleaning machines, brooms, mops, and other household cleaning equipment and supplies. These cabinets can be used for other household storage such as bath and bed linens and blankets.
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Shelving:
Open shelves for placing folded clothes, adding hyacinth baskets with family names for return-to-the room clothes, and other laundry management.
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Shirt Hanging Post:
Stationed between cabinets (or wall mounted) that can be used a hanging hanging shirts, pants and other delicate clothing that need to air dry.
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ideas to view and compare from the photo above
wall mounted cabinetsfloor utility cabinetshyacinth storage baskets
| Supporting Resources (opens new win) | |
| SHOW ME: best overall cabinets | |
| IMAGES: laundry rm cabinet/shelving ideas | |
| YOUTUBE: creative laundry rm storage ideas | |
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fourth “photo remodeling” idea
copyright image by https://123rf.com/
Utility sink
Notes:
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Why Have Utility Sink:
Simple! To pre-wash and soak clothes when needed. That is much better than soaking clothes in the bathroom or kitchen sink. Plus the utility sink can be used for “household” cleaning such as rinsing paint brushes, washing pets, dying hair and other tasks to avoid bathroom or kitchen sink messes.
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Get Counter-Mounted Sink:
The utility sink can be a stand-alone sink or a top-mounted sink inserted on top of the counter. The counter-top version is best for handling and managing laundry. Other ideas to consider:
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Deep Wide Sink:
Make the sink deep and wide sink for easy pre-washing and soaking. Clothes can take up a lot of space where a larger sink will be needed. Plus the deeper the sink, the less splashing that will be created when scrubbing clothes or other.
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Make The Faucet High And Movable:
Get a faucet with a high enough neck so that you can easily use the sink without the faucet being in the way. Also make it a swivel faucet that can be moved across the entire area of the wide sink.
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Plumbing:
Don’t forget the plumbing installation with both cold and hot water tabs. Ask the plumber to install a sufficiently-sized drain that will drain quickly given the size of the sink.
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ideas to view and compare from the photo above
| References (opens new win except noted) | |
| FIND: laundry pros (see below) | |
| WHY: have utility sink | |
| HOW TO: install utility sink | |
| PLANNING: laundry/mudroom (same win) | |
Find Laundry Installation Appliances Appliance Install Appliance Repair Electrical Plumbing Issues Drain Clearing top-rated, pre-screened local contractors FREE: download contractor selection enter zip code – powered by HomeAdvisor ™
Quick Contractor Guides selecting negotiating working with inspecting
fifth and last “photo remodeling” idea
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copyright image by https://123rf.com/ | https://123rf.com/
Laundry and house management – pulling it all together
Notes:
- Now it’s time to take your “rough” remodeling plan and assemble everything you need and want for the laundry room of your dreams – a room for laundry management and home utility needs. That plan may include some of the ideas as illustrated above:
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#1: Large Area:
For laundry rooms that have enough space for everything you want. You can design a room with laundry appliances tucked under a counter-top that extends the width of the room with utility sink and base cabinets. Note the hanging rack for clothes along the other side wall. The back walls can be used for utility cabinets and other household storage.
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#2: Small Area:
For small-sized laundry rooms, your best option is stacked appliances to open up space for a counter-top and sink placed on top of base cabinets. Wall mounted cabinets can be mounted up high for less-needed storage. A hanging rack spans the width of the counter for easy hanging.
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#3: Interior Room:
For those laundry rooms that are in the interior section of the home – very common for upstairs laundry rooms. These rooms are generally a smaller-spaced room with just enough room for the appliances and perhaps a folding table. If room permits, try to add an utility sink and high wall-mounted cabinets. Stacking the appliances might open up more space.
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#4: Room w/ Outside Wall:
Example of an extension or conversion of the garage area into a laundry room area. Designed to have plenty of space for counters, cabinet storage, appliances and utility sink. Venting the dryer is very easy and safe. This room could also function as mudroom for those coming from outside play or work.
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Quik scroll to other laundry room topics and designs …
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ideas to view and compare from the photo above
ironing board cabinetsmudroom bench w/ hooksshoe storage cabinet
- What comments can you share about
remodeling and designing your laundry room area
| Supporting Resources (opens new win) | |
| HOW TO: design a laundry room | |
| IMAGES: laundry room design ideas | |
| YOUTUBE: small laundry rm makeover | |
Cover image credit: laundry room design by Pixabay
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