What’s the perfect laundry room? Is it convenient or noisy? Is it spacious enough, or does it feel like a small closet? Where’s it located?

The truth is that you can never have the perfect blend. Laundry rooms usually don’t have standard sizes. That’s why they end up in awkward places or banished to the dark basement.

The location for your almost perfect laundry room depends on your lifestyle. Whether you prioritize proximity over the constant washer noise or whether you prefer space over how much laundry you do, that’s up to you.

With that in mind, let’s explore where you can put your laundry room for the most convenient experience.

What does a Laundry Room require?

Planning how your laundry room will pan out could save you a lot of time and money. Before you finalize on the space for your laundry room, understand what goes where and what all must you prioritize. Is it the shape you should look out for or is the water supply system? Or could it be the overall layout?

Here are some pointers that could make your life easier and allow you to have a hassle-free laundry experience without having to compromise at all. This is how you could achieve that experience.

Convenience

A laundry room that’s not too far from the kitchen or the bedroom in your house works best for most homes. The floor with the main bedrooms in your home (preferable the first or second floor) is where most of the dirty clothes accumulate. A distant location is inconvenient and adds to the pile of dirty clothes.

A residential architect would suggest locating the laundry room at a realistic distance from where you work inside your house.

Space

Nobody’s asking you to dedicate a decent piece of your floorplan to the laundry room. But that doesn’t mean you must compromise on space. You should consider 35 inches for the depth and 30 inches for the width per machine.

Additionally, you should leave about six inches behind the dryer for the ventilation system.

Water Supply

Washers need hot and cold-water supply through separate valves. These valves need to be clean and resistant to rust and within five feet of the washer location.

Electrical

Electrical systems should be within four to six feet of the appliance. Washers need a 120V and 20-amp fused electric outlet, while dryers require a 240V and 30-amp electric outlet.

Drainage System

Washers need a drainage system that could be a floor drain, floor standpipe, or a wall standpipe.

Where does the Laundry Room go?

The location of the laundry room also depends on what layout you require. A U-shaped or L-shaped laundry room could provide the most space concerning the washer and dryer, working room, and storage location. However, the L-shaped room requires more space for extra cabinets.

A galley-style layout is long and narrow. It works best if you don’t want to dedicate much space to your laundry room.

Near the Bedrooms

A laundry room located in the vicinity of the bedrooms or accessed through that area is the best and most preferred place for a laundry room. Most architects would swear by this location because it’s the most convenient out of all others.

Pros:

• You don’t need to go up and down the stairs again and again.
• If a laundry room cannot be accommodated near the bedrooms, a small and concealed space for a laundry chute that opens into the laundry space on the lower level of your house works well.
• You save on time and energy.
• The laundry process is free from hassles.

Cons:

• You might be able to hear the washer and dryer in your bedrooms. However, this can be easily avoided by having your general contractor install acoustic batt insulation in the walls!

In the Mudroom

Some homeowners prefer the option of having their washers in the mudroom. The second-best place for a laundry room, many homeowners endorse this location because of its convenience.

Pros

• You have the opportunity of tossing the dirty jackets and outerwear into the washer as soon as you enter the house.
• Depending on the location of your mudroom, you might not even hear the noise of the dryer.

Cons

• This location works best if the mudroom is not located near the main entrance of your home.
• There may not be enough space to separate the washed laundry from the dirty boots and jackets.

In the Kitchen

Homeowners with small-sized houses don’t have the luxury of separate laundry rooms. Their solution is a specific space right in their kitchens. It works well because it’s functional and practical.

A couple with a toddler might probably spend most of their time in the living area or the kitchen. So, it makes sense for a convenient washing system right then and there.

Pros

• The process is relatively easy because the water lines are already set up.
• You can save on arbitrary costs such as new electrical systems and other utilities required for the washer and dryer.
• You save on time and energy.

Cons

• Installing a washer and dryer in the kitchen will result in you losing storage space.
• You won’t have extra space for folding the laundry.
• You will be privy to the noise of the washer and dryer.
• You might find it hard to keep the kitchen tidy on laundry day.

Off the Kitchen

The kitchen is probably the busiest space of any home. So, placing a laundry room off the busiest area makes sense, doesn’t it?

If the laundry room is located off the kitchen, you get convenient access to it. So, if you’re cooking or tidying up, you’re within earshot of the washer and dryer buzzer and can stay on top of the laundry.

Pros

• You’re within walking distance of the laundry room.
• You can multitask when you know that you’re just a few steps from the laundry.
• It will save time.

Cons

• If your house has more than two levels, then putting the laundry room on the level of the kitchen means that there’s a flight of stairs between you and the laundry.
• The laundry day will end up in trips from one floor to the other.
• Your kitchen area might be prone to the noise from the washers and dryers.

In the Basement

Basements are one of the most popular locations for laundry rooms in conventional homes as well as apartment buildings. They are out of the heavy traffic area in your homes and keep the noise at bay.

However, the viability of this option is hampered if the basement is dingy and dark.

Pros

• Most builders provide laundry connections in the basements during construction, which makes the installation easy.
• You have enough space to go through the entire process of washing, drying, and folding.
• The noise of the washer and dryer won’t cause any disturbances to you.

Cons

• Many basements tend to be stuffy, which is something you wouldn’t want to feel.
• You might not hear the sound if the wash cycle is complete and that’s a hassle if you’re forgetful.
• You must take multiple trips down a flight of stairs, which might be inconvenient.

In the Guest Bathroom

A guest bathroom works well for a laundry room as the space isn’t functional for everyday use and exhibits the water supply system required. An added benefit is the sustainability of utilizing a single space for two purposes.

Pros

• A laundry room located in the guest bathroom is a cost-effective option.
• If it’s a powder room, then the laundry room will be placed on the main level of your house where you have most of the activities.

Cons

• You might not want to let the laundry night be at the same time when you’re entertaining guests.
• If you’re considering switching the guest bathroom to the main bathroom, then you could be in for a hassle.
• You’ll have to fold your laundry elsewhere as bathrooms are usually wet.

Does this work?

Renovating an existing space or adding a new laundry room to your home could become daunting if you’re considering costs, space, and efficiency. The logic is to find the most concise way to accommodate a washer and dryer that will functional practically.

One way is to select the space yourself, and another is to consult a residential architect if you’re going for a full-fledged revamp. A professional opinion could go a long way in helping you get the most proficient laundry room. And, what’s more, you get your money’s worth!

That’s it, folks!

If you’re on the lookout for the almost perfect laundry room, you don’t have to look far. You could take your Pinterest-inspired designs to the next level with a professional.

When it comes to laundry rooms, there are no hard and fast rules. A washer, dryer, a sink, a folding rack, and some storage spaces are all you need for your laundry room to be successful.

And once you have it, Wednesday night could be the perfect laundry night.