Laundry rooms are moving up in the world – literally. They used to be relegated to basem*nts but more and more we’re seeing them move up to main and second floors. It makes sense. As our lives become more hectic we want to travel less to do our chores. We’re willing to pay for convenience and not having to travel to the basem*nt to do laundry is a big one.
Putting in a new laundry room requires some special considerations. Washer mishaps are among the leading causes of home floods, and dryers account for thousands of fires every year.
I recommend working with a professional to ensure everything is done properly, safely, and to code, but here are some tips to get you started.
Laundry Room Planning
DO carefully consider location. For convenience, on the main floor anywhere off the kitchen makes sense, as does a mudroom or off the garage. On a second floor try to position it so it backs onto a bathroom.
DON’T put the laundry too close to sleeping areas. The noise will keep you awake.
DO consider where you can tie in to existing plumbing. Close to kitchens and washrooms obviously makes sense.
DON’T ignore the importance of good ventilation. Laundry generates significant amounts of heat and moisture and ventilation to the outside is a must. The ventilation hose should be a rigid metal in order to decrease the build-up of lint (this is required by law in most areas).
DO make sure that your laundry room has a floor drain – which will require a primer line. The primer line will flow water into the C-trap of the drain, creating a seal that keeps sewer gasses from backing up into your home.
DON’T think that you have to have an entire room dedicated to laundry. When space is limited it can be hidden in a closet or cabinet. Sometimes you can even squeeze some shelving in with it.
DO give some thought to whether you want top-loaders or front loaders. Top loaders used to be the norm but front loaders are easier to clean, more efficient and offer more flexibility for placement.
DON’T put your machines into sunrooms or additions that aren’t heated. Unless a heat source is added when the washer is installed you can run the risk of frozen pipes and all the damage that can come with them.
Design
DON’T go over the top. While stylish laundry rooms are becoming increasingly popular, spending a lot of money on a designer laundry room won’t get you a very good ROI.
DO stick with the basics in order to get the best ROI. You need a washer, dryer, sink and a bit of storage. Everything else is just a luxury.
DON’T forget about lighting. General, ambient light is an obvious requirement, but consider task lighting to illuminate certain areas. Having the right amount of light when performing tasks like ironing or sewing is important.
DO choose a durable type of flooring. Since laundry rooms tend to have a lot of the same issues as bathrooms, check out my bathroom flooring article for advice.
DON’T choose wallpaper or any other types of wall treatments that don’t stand up well to water. Easy-to-wipe semigloss paint or some type of durable tile is a good way to inject color and pattern while still being practical.
DO choose a non-porous counter material such as engineered stone or laminate.
Remember, stylish, designer laundry rooms are great if you have the space and the budget, but when it comes to ROI keep it simple. Over-investing in this room won’t do you much good in the long run.
Photos courtesy of Frigidaire, Cambria and HGTV.ca’s Moving the McGillivrays
FAQs
Remove your laundry promptly, so others can use the machines without having to handle your items. Be respectful of other people's belongings. Never put someone else's clothes on the floor. Don't remove clothes before a cycle is complete.
What happens in laundry room? ›
A laundry room is a room where clothes are washed, and sometimes also dried.
Why is the laundry room downstairs? ›
Older homes tend to be smaller, so keeping the washer and dryer downstairs is more convenient and doesn't eat up a lot of floor space. You very often have more room to add cabinets, shelves, or anything else you want. Older homes may have structural damage, as well. You don't want to put heavy machines on a weak floor.
Should the laundry room be on the first or second floor? ›
Having a designated second-floor laundry room is an excellent way to save time and make laundering easier. One of the pros of having a second-floor laundry is not having to lug baskets of clothes up and down stairs every time they need to be laundered.
What is the laundry rule? ›
Wash and dry heavier items, like towels, separately from lighter weight clothes to prevent damage to finer fabrics and to ensure even drying. Fabric Type. Wash delicates and durable fabrics separately on the appropriate washing cycles to avoid damage to fine fabrics.
Is it rude to remove someone's clothes from the dryer? ›
Generally, you should avoid doing this. However, if their clothing is in the drier and it is dry, that is possibly the only circ*mstance where moving laundry is acceptable. If it is damp, the student may want to run an additional cycle, and if it is in a washer you just shouldn't move it.
What do Americans call a laundry room? ›
The term 'laundry room' has long been favoured as the American version of the British 'utility room'. Over recent years however, it's been adopted far and wide as the ideal, the ultimate house goal, the dream utility room.
What is usually in a laundry room? ›
Laundry detergent and fabric softener are in a separate cabinet. Vacuums and mops in the closet as well as a few coats. Shoe rack for all the shoes in my family that for some reason don't ever go into bedroom closets. Ironing board and laundry baskets.
What happens if you leave your clothes in the washer overnight? ›
We've all been through it: You put a load of laundry into your washer only to forget about it until the next morning. When this happens, it's common for your clothes to develop a mildewy odor due to the growth of bacteria overnight.
Where is the best place to put a laundry room in your house? ›
A laundry room that's not too far from the kitchen or the bedroom in your house works best for most homes. The floor with the main bedrooms in your home (preferable the first or second floor) is where most of the dirty clothes accumulate. A distant location is inconvenient and adds to the pile of dirty clothes.
Practicality: If you want a durable but less conventionally attractive laundry room floor, choose concrete, ceramic or porcelain tile, or sheet vinyl. Appearance: Tile is a versatile and attractive option that can go with a variety of decor styles.
What is the best orientation for a laundry room? ›
South-facing rooms
They are most suited for the location of the garage, laundry, bathroom, toilet, workroom and stairs, where people spend little time and/or use infrequently.
How do you layout a laundry room? ›
For loading and unloading, your laundry room layout must allow 36 inches in front of a washer and 42 inches for a dryer. That way, you'll have room to walk around them without bumping into them. Measurements differ for front-loading models. Stacked units occupy less than 33 square inches of floor space.
Does a laundry room require a floor drain? ›
The 2017 IRC code does not specifically require floor drains to be installed in laundry rooms, but buildings often include them to provide for emergency drainage or to help with other drainage needs (e.g., relief valves, water heater drainage, condensate drainage, etc.).
What order do you renovate a laundry room? ›
Working With A Reputable Laundry Room Remodel Contractor
- Rough Plumbing And Rough Electrical. With the room fully prepared, it's time to deal with the rough plumbing and electrical. ...
- Cabinet Install. ...
- Countertop Install If Applicable. ...
- Laundry Sink Install If Applicable. ...
- Laundry Room Flooring.
Respect the Machines
Read the instructions on or near the door of the machine. We all love a fragrant laundry basket, but don't use so much detergent or softener that it's still there for the next person. Left-over detergents or fabric treatments can ruin the next person's wash, especially bleaches or whiteners.
What is guest laundry procedure? ›
The guests' laundry must necessarily be delivered to the Housekeeping in the special laundry bag provided in the room, along with the list filled in by the guest. The garments will be returned exclusively in disposable bags in the case of folded garments, and covered by cellophane in the case of clothes on a hanger.
What is the procedure of handling guest laundry? ›
Guest laundry items are ALWAYS counted when soiled:
- Check guest count of items is correct.
- Make note if not on guest laundry docket.
- Check all pockets and lapels for personal belongings and store securely if necessary.
- Check items for damage or repairs.
- Mark items for identification.
- Check for stains.
The Laundry Valet is responsible for providing efficient and courteous laundry services to hotel guests. This role involves collecting, processing, and delivering guests' laundry items promptly and ensuring a high level of guest satisfaction.
