Software
Houzz Logo Print
webuser_303834838

help needed laundry room solution

8 months ago

I had visions of a beautiful ceramic farmhouse laundry tub wall mounted to the right of butcher block covered machines.
However, that won’t work and the only place for a sink is where the washing machine is now. There’s a 4 inch set back in that area not to mention all the hookups.
Any ideas how I can make this look intentional. I need to pull the sink forward but maintain access to hookups / electric.

Comments (36)

  • 8 months ago

    Your dilemma isn't very clear. I assume that you plan to put the sink over the washer. If so, how deep will the sink be? Do you still plan the butcher block over the appliances?

  • PRO
    8 months ago

    We need a plan with dimensions to help you.

  • 8 months ago

    Apologies! Because of plumbing complications I will need to slide the machines to the right and place the sink where the machine is currently. However, I can’t mount the sink on that wall (the upper cabinets would make it difficult to reach) instead I’ll need to bring the sink forward and figure out what to mount it on.

  • 8 months ago

    Thanks! Here’s the layout of the laundry room… the washer and dryer are each 27inches wide and installed along the wall highlighted in green. Plumber determined the best place for a sink (easiest plumbing solution)is where the washer is currently installed highlighted in red. if I install a sink there it’ll be set too far back under the overhead cabinets. Any other suggestions?

  • 8 months ago
    last modified: 8 months ago

    Wondering if a false wall could be added just enough height/depth to be a backing of the sink unit to pull it forward? Basically, closing up the niche from the floor to the height of sink spot. Honestly it doesn't look like there's enough width to accommodate a decent size sink along with the washer/dryer on that wall space.

  • PRO
    8 months ago

    Sorry I have never had a laundry sink in 60+ yrs and honestly never missed it. You have modern W/D that has so many special cycles you do not IMO need a laundry sink and I have no idea why an old fashioned wall hug one in a space that has modern machines and cabinets . Get some fun wallpaper and IMO you do not have space for any sink

  • 8 months ago

    Have you had a laundry sink in the past & did you use it a lot? I've never had one and never understood the point, especially with today's machines, which you clearly have. I'd push the machines together to the left side, add a cabinet or hamper on the right side (same cabinetry as the uppers if you can) and run the butcher block across the entire space.

  • 8 months ago

    I use my laundry sink all the time for non-laundry-related things. My current set-up has the machines in the mud room, and a sink is most appreciated at that entry point to the house.

  • 8 months ago

    Its cruel to keep birds in cages.

  • 8 months ago
    last modified: 8 months ago

    I will correct that - to clean out the bird feeders!

    My family had birds when I was growing up and I would not do that now - too messy!

  • 8 months ago

    Oh dear. I can’t show these responses to my husband since he disagrees about the need for a laundry sink :). One of my biggest reason is that with these front load washers it’s a pain pre-soaking all of my elementary aged kids heavily soiled clothing and it’ll give somewhere to clean their shoes, rinse mop-heads etc..
    I like the false wall idea. Would I just then add a shelf or something over the top of false wall? There are sinks at 21” so i should have enough space width wise.

  • 8 months ago

    This is my 4th house with a laundry sink. I planned/designed the one in the current house, but all the others were built by people who also wanted a sink in the laundry room. And it wasn't regional, because the houses are in 3 different states, at opposite ends of the country! I use the sink for lots of things.

    If you can't get a "utility" sink in the laundry room, the next best location is the garage. I also have a utility sink in the garage, but we have split garages, and in hindsight, I placed that sink in the wrong garage. It would get used much more if I had placed it in the main garage.

  • 8 months ago
    last modified: 8 months ago

    No harm meant - but maybe your husband can find a way to pre-soak soiled clothing and clean shoes and do the job himself - since he thinks a sink is not needed.

  • 8 months ago

    Hahaha :) totally agreed. And, to be fair - he does their laundry but he doesn’t mind them walking around with grass stained clothes :)

  • 8 months ago

    Just use one of the free-standing stainless sinks. The one in my garage is from this company:

    http://www.griffinproducts.com/shop/category/utility-sinks-utility-106

  • 8 months ago

    I could easily get one like that into the garage. That’s a good call.

  • 8 months ago

    I’ll try to figure out the false wall idea and if all else fails will try the garage

  • 8 months ago

    I have always had a laundry sink and find them indispensable. I use it all the time.

  • 8 months ago

    On the false wall idea, consider consulting with a plumber who would need to do the sink water line, possibly they'll need to cut the current niche drywall to do the needed work. But let them know you plan to close up the niche below the hookups, so the added water line comes out further to the main wall.

    It looks like the washer is plugged in just above it. Not sure where the dryer vent is connected. But can both units be moved to the furthest on the right? If so, then idea is to build a frame inside the niche so that drywall can be mounted to it to blend with the main wall. A flat drywall shelf would be at the top of it using metal corner bead for a crisp edge. This would create a much shorter niche that has just the laundry hookups and electric outlet in it.

    Others might chime in with better ideas to make this happen.

  • 8 months ago

    That’s really helpful… I think I understand.. So flatten out that wall below the washer hookups. Maybe it’s worth lowering the washer hookup out of sight.

  • 8 months ago

    I think you'd want to leave the washer hookup where it's at so it's well above what will be the new sink location. You could paint, wallpaper or tile that wall to elevate with a color :) I can't wait to gut and remodel my laundry room next year since it's kind of like my escape room, lol.

  • 8 months ago
    last modified: 8 months ago

    Are the machines stackable, are you ok with dryer’s height and rearranging cabinets? Would have to weigh sink/potential counter space usage and costs. Having a hand held sprayer and hanging rod would be really handy as well,


  • 8 months ago

    Keep the water hook ups where you can reach them without pulling out the washer. If you ever have a water hose break or leak, you will be glad of it.

  • 8 months ago

    As a car guy, I use our laundry room sink all the time for things I do with our vehicles. A LR sink is invaluable when you have pets, do your own gardening, house and car maintenance. Activities that you would have to do in the kitchen or bathroom if you don't have a utility sink available. If you make the decision to install the sink, make sure you find a reputable, experienced plumber who can help you install the sink while making certain the water/drain fixtures for the washer are not too impacted. You don't want floods nor serviceability issues with the appliances as others have pointed out.

  • 8 months ago

    Maureen, that’s beautiful. My washer and dryer are stackable but there’s an overhead beam that I think stops me from stacking, unfortunately.i really do like that apron front sink though. That gives the stylish laundry room vibe without having to wall mount.

  • 8 months ago

    Maybe put this on your wish list -


  • PRO
    8 months ago

    If you bring your 2 appliances together at the centre, what distance would you have between the appliance and the wall on the right? and between the back wall and the front of the appliance?



    As suggested by jackowskib:

    My daughter bought a combined GE washer/dryer last summer and loves it. But perhaps not as practical if you have a large family.



  • 8 months ago

    Those look amazing… but I’d need two given how much laundry my family runs through :). I have just shy of 27 inches only if I push the machines together

  • 8 months ago

    Yup - my "laundry sink" is really a utility sink in the laundry room. Non-laundry things, from cleaning bird feeders and garden tools to defrosting meat.

  • PRO
    8 months ago

    @HU-303834838 You say " I think!"

    My washer and dryer are stackable but there’s an overhead beam that I think stops me from stacking".

    Did you measure to make sure they don't fit if stacked? That's the 1st thing I'd do. If they do fit you'd have to replace the upper cabinets for something like below but you would have your sink:


  • 8 months ago

    Counter top with a top sink that sits on the left side.

  • 8 months ago

    Image generation isn’t cooperating fully! But, here’s what I was able to generate. Will show this to the plumber… even though it doesn’t capture the niche or laundry hookups on the wall behind the sink. per the awesome suggestion above, I can shorten the niche maybe find a clever way to hide the hookups above Thanks for the great feedback!

  • 7 months ago

    Looks great !!!

  • PRO
    7 months ago

    If it fits, it's perfect!


  • 7 months ago

    If it's too tight you can always get a smaller sink.