Option 1

Option 2

Option 2. You have counter space across for craft that you could use for folding, so option 1 just gives you a clutter magnet. You will appreciate the counterspace around the sink, my sink is squeezed between the machines and the wall and I'd kill for counterspace.

I have a dryer with a pedestal and washer without. I like how easy it is to load and unload the pedestal, and I use the drawer for the lint brush etc. but I like the height of the non-pedestal washer, mainly because...I don't have counterspace next to the sink.

Something else to consider with a pedestal: I find it harder to reach into the cabinet above the pedestaled machine. I'm about 5'4". But I see you plan to have the upper cabinets pulled forward flush with the machines, so that's good, consider pull-out shelves for those; they will be deep and you want to reach what's at the back.

That's a tough one for me...#1 has a lot of counter space for folding to the left of the W/D plus usable surface space on top of the W/D. #2 has hanging space, a nice amount of counter space around the sink and an elevated W/D.

A few questions to ask yourself:

-Do you plan to fold clothing in the laundry room on a counter?

-Where would you like to store your empty laundry baskets (if you use them)?

-Do you have a small dog to bathe? I mention this because we do and #1 is great for that because there's a large span of countertop to blowdry them. #2 is usable but not ideal.

-Will you actually use the rod to hang clothing? I absolutely would but not everyone has items that hang dry or has dress shirts to hang immediately.

-Have you used a front loading W/D before that are not on pedestals? We did not have them in our last house and I adapted fine, but I do find it easier to access the back of the washer when they're on pedestals. I'm undecided on whether I'll buy them for our new house (extra cost plus our laundry room is on the 2nd floor and I'm unsure if pedestals make the machines vibrate more...it seems like it would).

-Think about the types of items you need/want to store in that room. Are those items easier stored in wall shelving, wall cabinets, or base cabinets? Do you actually need a lot of storage space or is this design more for aesthetics?

...I think my vote goes to #2 for overall design. I would use the hanging space, and having an elevated W/D is easier to use. I do think #1 looks better. And, at least for me, #1 is more functional for when I bathe and dry my two small dogs which might not even be a factor for you.

It all comes down to what your storage needs are, and how you will use the storage space in the room. If you would make good use of pedestal drawers (apparently some folks don't), by all means, get them - I imagine laundry drawers would be just as convenient as kitchen drawers. If not, you could do #2, with cabinets coming down to the top of the appliances, making them easier to reach.

I like the counter space around the sink in #2. I don't bathe dogs, but I can think of a lot of things I might wash there, where adjacent counter would be nice.

Hanging space is a must for me! My family wears casual clothes most of the time (even for work), but we have more closet space than shelves or drawers, so even t-shirts got put on hangers. For years I used to fold clothes as they came out of the dryer, distribute them to the appropriate bedroom, and the owner would put them on hangers and put them away. I kicked myself when I realized I was adding a time-consuming step! Now I put shirts directly from the dryer onto hangers, eliminating folding almost entirely. I have a long enough hanging rod in the laundry room to sort by person as I go.

Having the hanging rod over the sink is also nice if you have something like wet swimsuits, or things that don't go in the dryer.

I don't use the pedestal drawers but I LOVE having the W/D raised up. In my new build, I'm having a pedestal built and having a cabinet over my machine like you have in #2. I'll put hanging to the side like you have. (My laundry will be in a closet.)

What a great laundry room! I vote for #2 because I use hanging space and prefer more counter space around the sink. Craft cleanup will be easier with more space. I also have FLs on pedestals and like them a lot. Not only are they easier to reach into, they're easier to clean.

You might consider cross-posting in the laundry forum. Those folks know how to work a laundry room.

This may sound odd - but you might want to plum for 2 sets of washers and dryers. The cost to put the lines in is small - but if you ever get to the point where they are in constant use - a second set makes all the difference in the world. Especially if you have horses and need to wash all the blankets and gear that go along with that. We don't but find having 2 sets reduces never ending laundry to a half day chore.

I think we are going to go with Option 2. A question - how deep should the upper cabinets above the Refrigerator and W/D be? 12" is normal. I'd think anything too deep will just hold things we'd never be able to reach.

to the contrary - if you don't make them deep - you'll never be able to reach the doors. Also - it will look more custom / built in with the deeper cabinets.

They will have to store "seldom used" items any way you look at it as they are a pain in the butt to deal with (need stools, etc)

Use deeper pullout cabinets above there. Look at This thread going on over on Kitchens right now for some good examples.

You'll need to make the refrigerator and W/D cabinets close to flush with each appliance to make them usable. If they aren't almost flush, you'll never be able to reach to even open them, let alone to grab anything. You can do this one of two ways: 1) Special order deeper cabinets to the depth you need, or 2) Build a box behind a standard cabinet to push it forward.

Option 2 also allows you to change your mind later and go back to a top load should you ever choose too. Option 1 with the counter over it locks you in there for more cost should you want to change. Love the combination laundry/craft room. Nice!

I like Option #2 because of the hanging space also ... I don't have an opinion on the pedestals since I've never had them. But, I'm not a fan of a craft room in a laundry room, especially if it doesn't have any natural light. Are there windows at the end of that room? I'm a novice quilter and currently use my dining room as my craft room ... lots of natural light.

There are windows (3 - 2'0"x6'0') shown at the bottom of the floor plan picture. This actually looks out the front of home, toward the driveway/street. Not the greatest view, but 3 large windows for natural light.