Help me with my laundry room please!

12 years ago

This is my laundry room. I just removed the 1968 bright yellow cabinets and yellow and orange striped wallpaper. I can't decide whether to put the the washer and dryer on pedestals, leave them on the floor or stack them. If I leave them on the floor, I can install a counter above them for folding laundry and cabinets above. I'll have the plumber put the drain and faucets under the level of the counter (and back a bit) and have shut off valves put in the cabinets above. If I put them on pedestals, I'll install cabinets above that are deeper so I can reach them from the floor.(Do people use base cabinets for that?) If stacked, the washer door is not reversible, so they would have to be on the left. I cannot move the dryer vent as the cost is prohibitive. It has a 14' run and is down at the bottom. I don't know if I can have a flexible hose come down and go across to the current vent location. Would love some input. The room is 61" deep by 68" wide. Thanks! Anne

Featured Answer

lefty47

12 years ago

HI-- Anne - The washer should be elevated

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (17)

Judy M
12 years ago
I went through this dilemma recently, I did not want hassle of moving dryer vent so I did not stack them and do not add pedestals. I did add new cabinets above and I had a box frame added to the back of the cabinets that brings them forward so I can reach them.
I added a black granite counter for folding and added under cabinet lights and glass tile backsplash.
I did not bother moving water inlet.
Skyler Pontius
12 years ago
Staking the washer and dryer will help maximize the space in the laundry room. You can add storage to the right side which can keep your cleaning supplies. Maybe something similar to this picture?

Extreme Makeover · More Info
Related Professionals
Sarasota Interior Designers & Decorators · Athens Interior Designers & Decorators · Kalispell Interior Designers & Decorators · Cornwall Interior Designers & Decorators · Tallahassee Architects & Building Designers · Raleigh Architects & Building Designers · Frisco Architects & Building Designers · Sugar Land Architects & Building Designers · Taunton Architects & Building Designers · Garden City Architects & Building Designers · Helena Architects & Building Designers · Burlington Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Davenport Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Mankato Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Pueblo Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
Judy M
12 years ago
Photo
Anne Aaronson
Original Author
12 years ago
Wow Judy! That looks great. How deep is the box behind the cabinets?
Anne Aaronson
Original Author
12 years ago
Another problem for me is that the washer and dryer doors hit any laundry baskets on the floor in front. Is your room tiny like mine?
Anne Aaronson
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks Skyler. I was thinking of doing something like that but am not sure if the dryer vent would be a problem.
Anne Aaronson
Original Author
12 years ago
Wow! I love that glass shelf!
lefty47
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
HI Anne -- After having my set for a while now , we have discovered they have to be elevated for proper draining . We had water pooling in the drain hose and it was going stagnant and making the washing smelly. You need to elevate them 15 inches for proper drainage . We are not buying the pedestals that go with the set -- too expensive and not worth it in my opinion . We are making a stand that will have room to store laundry baskets under . The top will have a lining and drain for over flow ,should that ever happen . We can have the platform made that will be sturdier than the brand pedestals and cheaper too. I think I have a picture on the end of my idea book of what I'm talking about . Also look at the laundry storage cabinet on DIYcozyhome.com , it's wonderful ! It might give you some more ideas for your laundry area .
sellaginella
12 years ago
Ideal laundry place for me is the family room where every family activity takes place. But if that is out of the question, here are some space saving ideas which I hope will be helpful.
lefty47
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
HI -- Note -- shouldn't use a corrugated tube for the dryer vent -- fluff gets trapped in the grooves and can be a fire hazard and can plug. It cost me $150 . for someone to come in and install a proper smooth vent pipe for my dryer . So worth it !
Anne Aaronson
Original Author
12 years ago
Hi Lefty47. What should be elevated 15", the washer or the hose? I used to have problems with a mildew smell in my towels using my front loader. I changed from liquid Tide to powdered Tide and the smell went away. Right now the hose drains at about the top of the washer and seems to work fine. The dryer vent is heavy aluminum (circa 1968) between the wall and the outside. I don't know how you can use a rigid hose between the dryer and the wall. How do you hook it up?
Anne Aaronson
Original Author
12 years ago
Nice photos Vavilla! I really like the one with the sink!
reeb68
12 years ago
I would install a shelf above the washer and dryer that you could put baskets on and fill with your "stuff". The shelves I've seen also have a wire rod along the bottom so that you can hang clothes if you need to. I also saw this cool idea instead of pedestals.....
AKB
12 years ago
If that was my laundry room I'd move the washer and dryer together a bit to one side,if that's do-able with your pipe arrangements, and put a counter top over them. The space left at the side would be to hang the iron and ironing board. I'd also put a shelf up over the counter for the detergents etc with a rail or rails to hang clothes. But having said all that if it was my laundry room I probably would have left the 1968 fixtures. I currently have a stacked arrangement which is fine but noisy and wobbly on spin cycle. It's not an arrangement I would have unless I had to. You're lucky have enough to have space not to have to stack.
Anne Aaronson thanked AKB
Judy M
12 years ago
The box is 4 inches deep. My room is 5 x 7.
Some baskets are too tall but I don't have to put them right in front of wash/dryer.
I hang on free wall space ironing board and brooms and mops, so as many things as possible are off the floor.
In one corner, I have shelves I use for misc storage, rice cooker, vases, hand towels for 1/2 bath etc.
At the bottom is a hanging bar I keep hangars on so when things come out of dryer I hang them.
The corner shelves look messy as it is open storage but room has a door on it.
My husband installed a motion sensor so lights come on when I enter room.
Anne Aaronson thanked Judy M
sellaginella
12 years ago
Thank you Anne. I am not a professional in anything;but I love landscaping, gardening and interior decorating. Would love to help anyone with pictures on any of these subjects. When space is limited, you want to get all ideas before you decide how best to use it.