Where to put laundry in a guest space?

5 years ago

So everyone was so helpful in setting up a laundry closet in our guest house. I got the quote back from the plumber to do the work and it is about $3500 just for the plumbing and the dryer venting. This does not include electrical or any wall cabinets. Which makes me think I may need to rethink a bit. The guest loft is mostly used by family and friends. However, I have the opportunity to rent it monthly to health professionals coming to the area to do contract work. Usually just one or 2 at a time. The closet I asked about in the previous post is accessed by going into the 2 car garage, which is where I keep my car. So anyone using the laundry has to go by my car. I keep my garage pretty tidy, so it’s a nice space. My other option is to cut out a wall in the entry area and recess the washer/dryer into a wall and then you dont have to go thru the door into the garage to do laundry, however then the units would have to be stacked. As an aside, the garge is heated and cooled.

If you were renting would you care if you had to go into the garage to do laundry? Or if you were a buyer a few years down the road would this be something that would register as good or bad?

So if it matters, here is a basic layout of the loft apartment,

This is the garage showing the laundry in the closet in the garage.

It would look like this.

Or I can put the w/d in that hall. This would probably cost $3k more than putting it in the existing closet.

Her is a pic of the hall and the door to the garage. I would cut out the area where the coat rack is.

Most of the time I do the laundry for the guest space, and I prefer to fold upstairs while watching tv. Currently I lug the laundry back and forth to the main house, so I’m happy with it anywhere in the building!

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Comments (12)

acm
5 years ago
Unclear about where the second option is on the floor plan...
Annette Holbrook(z7a)
Original Author
5 years ago
Sorry, second option pics wouldnt post. I’ll add here

This is a sloppy mock up of them from the hall. The red floor on the other side of the door is the garage. Those are the stairs up to the apartment.
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Cavimum
5 years ago
Make sure your area permits short term rentals. In our city, any rentals shorter than 90 days are not permitted. It prevents the house next door getting turned into a motel, even if owner occupied.
Annette Holbrook(z7a)
Original Author
5 years ago
I live in the mountains in a tourist area. STR is a big industry here.
suzanne_m
5 years ago
Are you living in a warm area? What is the nook beside your counter top?
lisaam
5 years ago
In my garage apt you access the washer / dryer through the garage. it would be convenient to have it in the apt. but no space. none of my (all very nice) tenants have complained. the upside: they dont need to listen to the machine noise.
suzanne_m
5 years ago
If the winters are not cold in your region then going into the garage to do the laundry should be ok since it seems that you have no better place.
Annette Holbrook(z7a)
Original Author
5 years ago
I’m in north Georgia, so super hot summers and cold winters, but not much snow.
ci_lantro
5 years ago
I would prefer the side by side arrangement in the garage. Roomier & could fold on top ot the units. In the hallway, it is just too congested and no place for the laundry basket without it being underfoot.
Cavimum
5 years ago
Is there any chance the washer located in the garage could freeze during a bad cold snap? Polar vortex? If not, garage location might be the best way to go.
Annette Holbrook(z7a)
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Luckily, the previous owner built the garage as his hobby space to work on his race cars year round, so it is heated and cooled.

I think y’all have helped me decide to use the garage space. I think I will just make it as attractive as possible, so anyone using it will find it a pleasant space.

Here is an inspiration pic,

And look at this cute little laundry sink I found,
Toronto Veterinarian
5 years ago
I would not want to go through a stranger's garage to do my laundry (i.e. for renters) - I would feel I was trespassing in their space, and I would worry about any damage to the car (or being accused of any damage to the car). I would rather have a stacked washer/dryer than go through someone else's garage - however, if it was friends/family, I wouldn't mind. I also don't mind stacked washer/dryer configuration (I actually prefer it) - it's all I've had for the last 15 years or so, and I really like not having to bend or squat down to get clothes out of the dryer.