Lost and need help! Project nearing a year.

8 years ago

Major help needed here! I’m willing to pay for design services if I need to. The Carpenter put the exhaust over further than I wanted and will move it if needed. I hate how this looks. I have to keep the run and exit in this spot, no other options. Any ideas for working w this? Hiding it behind a cabinet/shelf? Not sure if I like counter the way it is either and maybe I should have it start a little off the white wall with a waterfall-type side. I want cabinets on either end of the top w shelf(s) in middle. And what do I do next to washer/dryer? I don’t like that it looks unfinished. Seriously. Any tips are GREATLY appreciated. I need to draw something up in the next week. Project is about to go on a year this fall.
(Will get new w/d in near future.)

Featured Answer

ci_lantro

8 years ago

Cat, I suspect that room is below grade and the vent is exhausting not far above grade. Looks like a 'half or semi-basement' in a split level home.

I suspect this started out as a no-frills utility room in an unfinished basement. Somewhere along the line someone decided to prettify it and rushed headlong into the project without giving thought to the needed changes to the infrastructure to have the finished product match the vision.

What I would have done is to have relocated the thru-the-wall exhaust back close to the rear wall, moved the 220 outlet to the wall behind the dryer and re-located the washer drain and water hookups and electrical receptacle to the right and behind the washer and installed a laundry sink and counter in the remaining space. Cabinetry above for supplies and general extra storage.

Nothing says that it can't still happen but OP needs to be prepared to take a couple of steps back before going forward again.

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Comments (13)

User
8 years ago
Obviously, drugs were involved.
Jeff G
8 years ago
What does the rest of the project look like?
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ci_lantro
8 years ago
(Will get new w/d in near future.)

Live with it until then. Anything you do now, like cabinetry to hide the venting, may not work with the new machines.

Might want to consider a ventless dryer or a side venting dryer. Or a stacked set at ninety degrees to the current orientation.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
8 years ago
Cilantro- I like the stacked option. Build a false wall on the left to hide the vent, then the stacked unit. On the right you can have base and upper cabinets or whatever works.
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Would it be possible to center the washer and dryer? Looks like you would only have to shift them over 18 or so inches...

If you can, I would built full height cabinets, with the left one having a filler piece on the left to hide the vent and the offset wall. Duplicate on the right. The tops will appear wider than the bottoms (the frame) but have the door just a straight rectangle. Obviously they would only be as wide as the width to the water access.

This is just a laundry room, right?
annied75
8 years ago
I think I would install a base cabinet next to the washer. Then install upper cabinets above the base cabinet and washer. For the vented area, I would install open shelving to house your detergents, etc. To hide the items on the shelves (and the venting), I would take a tension curtain rod and install it against the upper cabinet and wall. Buy some cute curtains (modify the length) and install them.
cat_ky
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Are you even sure that new machines will fit under that area? I would also like to see them centered. It certainly does not look like a professional job. Maybe this whole thing needs to be removed and new plans drawn up, if you are determined to have a countertop. Whats on the other side of that wall where the vent is? Is there a reason, why the dryer vent, can not be vented through the wall, lower down. What you have is poorly designed. I would much prefer to have a shelf on the wall over the washer and dryer. You cant get at your hose connections easily, you have indents in the back of the counter for cords, etc. All that needs to be corrected and completely redone.
cat_ky
8 years ago
You are probably right. Not a great setup as it is.
geoffrey_b
8 years ago
Looks like VWI - Venting While Intoxicated.
nobees
Original Author
8 years ago
"Whats on the other side of that wall where the vent is? Is there a reason, why the dryer vent, can not be vented through the wall, lower down."

Directly on the other side is the exterior, and the vent is only about 12" if that above the ground. If it's moved closer to the back wall of laundry, it's too close to an exterior window. I really have no choice but to vent there.
nobees
Original Author
8 years ago
ci_lantro

You are pretty much spot on w/ my situation! I don't think the amount of work to install sink, move more electric, etc. would be worth it for my area. It used to literally be a double closet, so I'm happy regardless. I just need to hide these pipes. I can't move exhaust further back because of a window. I'm sure it'll look nice in the end somehow. :)
ci_lantro
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
About anything beats having to go to the laundromat, Nobees. But some things you just ought to do for yourself. (Think how much you would spend at the laundromat in a year!). And, if you're doing laundry for the family, you're not picking up a paycheck for your services so it doesn't hurt to splurge a bit on your workroom.

You're so lucky that you have a nice amount of space to work with and what you've done so far looks really nice.