Question: are you opposed to folding clothes on top of the dryer so you can have the bench? I ask because with 4' I think you'd need to allocate 2.5-3' for the bench seat, with the rest of the space in a tall narrow cabinet, maybe with hooks on the side for hanging coats? I think then you could hang a rod mounted high enough that you wouldn't hit your head and could use it for longer items like dresses. I'd put a set of cabinets above the washer and dryer, but shallow because they need to be tall enough to be out of the way and stuff will get lost at the back. If they aren't deep enough to mount the rod to at that point, I'd suspend it from the ceiling with some funky hardware.

In the broom closet, I'd put the vacuum on the bottom and use those grabby hooks on the side for mop and broom and finish it off with shelves up top with baskets for mittens, scarves, etc.

Then I'd hang a shoe holder from the inside of the door for shoes and or cleaning supplies.

Oh! Maybe a countertop that folds up above the bench when you don't need it? Although it might not be pretty...

paraveina...i wonder if you could make the countertop recessed into the wall, on a hinge and decorated it so that it would blend in?

I think you're right about shallow cabinets above the w/d. Do you think 18" is too short for a bench? The only time I think we'd really use it is putting on/taking off shoes. And honestly I wonder if we'll really do that, or if it'll simply turn into a dumping ground for junk. Maybe I should axe the bench....

Do you think 40" is tall enough for broom closet? I should go measure a broom and vacuum!

Here's what I came up with. Are the cabinets too wide? Not wide enough? (Each square = 3")

Yeah, I think 18" is likely too small. That's about the width of an airplane seat, and you'll be boxed in on the sides. My swiffer is 48" tall, so I think I'd want a minimum of 5' high so I could hang it rather than having it on the bottom of the cabinet. It might be a little strange not being able to see directly into the cabinet, but that's personal preference (I'm 5'6"). I think if you keep the seat, it would be better next to the dryer, so that the door wouldn't hit your knees if someone came through without seeing you sitting there.

What's in between the brooms and the bench?

The bench could also flip up for storage, or be open underneath for shoes.

I think you're right! I like the bench much better there.

Maybe a retractable drying rack instead of a surface for folding!

Oh yeah, that would look better in my opinion.

Sorry about the long vent from dryer to porch. Sorry people have to trail through your laundry area. If you want a door between this and the kitchen, why can't it swing back against the wall (bottom of your plan)? Will you be bringing groceries in this door? I'd prefer wider doorways. How will you get appliances into this space?

A closet can hold 'things' (mops, vacuum, etc.) and have a rod for drip-dries -- even coats. Making a separate 'compartment' for everything limits use of space.

What's on the wall that abuts the kitchen? Coat hooks?

Plans are pretty set--framers have come and gone and not interested in calling them back. Cha-Ching! $$ Yuck.

Theres a separate door from porch to kitchen (right next to laundry room exterior door, in fact). Groceries would be brought in there. Dogs will enter laundry room exterior door and stay in there (with pocket door closed).

Hooks for coats on that wall is a good idea. Don't have a good answer about getting the washer/dryer in. But I'll look at it and bring up with GC just to check. Good catch chisue!

Confirmed. W/d will fit. Phew!

Glad to hear there's another door to the kitchen! Can you still get a laundry/slop sink in that back entry -- mops, dogs, etc.?

Yes, think it should be okay. Seems like a normal sized door.

Picture standing in pantry, looking (thru the walls) at laundry room exterior door. Can see kitchen exterior door and pocket door.

Didnt quite follow one of your points. Were you suggesting NOT to do built-ins cabinets?