Hiring a designer or interior architect to design your laundry area can help maximize your space for efficiency.
And, 61 percent of laundry rooms are being built on upper levels rather than first floors or basements.
The NAHB survey shows that homeowners want an expanded, multi-functional work area in the laundry room.
The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto
Many new homes incorporate the laundry area into an entry mudroom that is used for storage and pet care.
If there is no budget allowance for custom cabinets, free-standing storage cabinets will work well.
No matter how much you love or hate your current washer and dryer, you will replace them someday.
Don’t customize the laundry room design to the appliance units you have now.
Instead, leave extra space beside and above appliances.
Allow one inch on each side and between appliances to reduce noise from vibrations.
Measure the depth and allow six inches for hoses, venting, and air circulation.
A width of 45 inches is needed to make a 90-degree turn.
Laundry room doors should be at least 32 inches wide; wider is even better.
A pocket door works well because it takes up no floor or wall space when open.
Storage pedestals are great for storage and lifting front-loading machines to waist level.
But the tradeoff is the lack of workspace on top of the machines.
Most standard lower cabinets are manufactured for a finished countertop height of 36 inches.
This is comfortable for food preparation but may be too high for folding laundry, especially large items.
A countertop or table that is more in the range of 30 to 34 inches is more comfortable.
An automatic shutoff water valve is a wonderful addition to the laundry.
Always use the right throw in of electrical connections and never use an extension cord.
Plan dryer placement to keep the vent hose as straight and short as possible.
You’ll have quicker and safer drying and reduce fire risks with shorter venting.
What Home Buyers Really Want.National Association of Home Builders.
