Laundry is a constant household task that involves sorting, washing, drying, folding, and putting clothes away. However, despite its importance in daily routines, the laundry room’s location is often an afterthought. When planning a renovation or new home layout, finding the right spot for the laundry room requires balancing several factors, such as utility access, noise control, convenience, and available space.
Let’s get straight to the point.
Consider utility access, noise, and convenience when deciding where to place a laundry room. The room needs access to plumbing, electrical outlets, and proper ventilation. Common locations include near bedrooms for convenience, near the kitchen for multitasking, in the mudroom to manage dirty items, or in the basement to keep them out of sight. The layout and size depend on your household needs, with dedicated laundry rooms offering more space and options for storage. Each option has pros and cons, such as noise control and ease of access.
Common Laundry Room Locations
1. Dedicated Laundry Room
This is the best option if your house already has a designated laundry room with proper plumbing, electrical outlets, and vents. Moving the laundry room to another area of the house will involve costly renovations, so sticking with an existing setup is often more practical.
If the current laundry room feels too small, knocking down a wall or upgrading doors for noise reduction might make the space more functional. A hollow-core door can easily be replaced with a solid, soundproof one to reduce laundry noise in other home parts.
2. Near The Bedrooms
Many people prefer the laundry room near the bedrooms, where most dirty laundry originates. This setup reduces the need to haul laundry baskets up and down stairs, making the chore more efficient. Consider placing the laundry room near the bathroom, a hallway, or a master walk-in closet.
Pros Of A Laundry Room Near Bedrooms
- Shortens trips with dirty clothes.
- Makes the task of folding and putting clothes away quicker.
- Tucks the laundry room out of the main living areas.
Cons Of A Laundry Room Near Bedrooms
- Appliances can be noisy, especially at night.
- There’s a potential risk of water damage from a leaky machine.
3. Near The Kitchen
The kitchen is often the busiest part of the house, so placing the laundry room nearby can make multitasking easier. Since the kitchen already has plumbing, adding a laundry space nearby can save on installation costs. For example, a mudroom or butler’s pantry near the kitchen can be an ideal spot for laundry.
Pros Of A Laundry Room Near The Kitchen
- Convenient for multitasking while cooking or cleaning.
- Easy to access while handling other household tasks.
Cons Of A Laundry Room Near The Kitchen
- Noise from the laundry machines can disturb activities in the kitchen and living area.
- It might take up valuable space for kitchen storage or work surfaces.
4. Mudroom Or Family Entrance
Another popular location for the laundry room is in the mudroom or near the family entrance. This setup makes it easy to toss dirty clothes into the washer when coming home. It’s especially useful for managing dirty sports gear, wet clothes, or muddy shoes.
Pros Of A Laundry Room In The Mudroom Or Family Entrance
- Convenient for washing dirty items right after coming home.
- Keeps the mess contained in one area.
Cons Of A Laundry Room In The Mudroom Or Family Entrance
- It may mix with other traffic, such as pets or groceries.
- Requires carrying laundry to and from bedrooms.
5. Basement
Many traditional homes, especially in colder climates, have a laundry room in the basement. This provides ample space for laundry appliances, folding areas, and storage without taking up space on the main floors. Basements can also better contain water damage from leaks or floods than other levels.
Pros Of A Laundry Room In The Basement
- More space for laundry-related tasks.
- Keeps laundry out of sight and noise out of living areas.
Cons Of A Laundry Room In The Basement
- Inconvenient if you have to carry laundry up and down stairs.
- It can be forgotten easily if far from daily living areas.
6. Hallway Laundry Closet
A hallway closet laundry setup might be the only viable option for homes with limited space. Hallways near bedrooms and bathrooms provide a convenient spot for washers and dryers without taking up too much room.
Pros Of A Hallway Laundry Closet
- Ideal for smaller homes or apartments.
- Convenient access to nearby bedrooms and bathrooms.
Cons Of A Hallway Laundry Closet
- Narrow hallways can become congested while doing laundry.
- Noise from machines can echo through the house.
Key Considerations For Laundry Room Location
When determining the best spot for a laundry room, consider utility access, convenience, and space. While you want the room to be accessible, it also needs to be functional and quiet.
1. Utilities
Utilities are important in determining the placement of the laundry room. Access to electrical outlets, plumbing, and venting points will save you time, money, and future headaches. Moving these utilities or setting up a laundry room far from existing connections can be costly and complicated.
2. Electrical
An electrical outlet is necessary whether your dryer runs on gas or electricity. Gas dryers need a 120-volt electrical outlet, while electric dryers require a 240-volt, 30-amp circuit. Washing machines also need outlets capable of handling 15 to 20 amps of current at 120 volts. All outlets must be grounded with three-pronged plugs for safety, and the outlets should be four to six feet from the appliances for easy access.
3. Plumbing (Water Supply)
A laundry room must have a hot and cold water supply nearby, and it should be within six feet of the washing machine to hook up correctly. Proper water quality is also important, as corrosive water can damage the appliances.
4. Drainage
Washing machines need a drain, which could be a floor drain, floor standpipe, wall standpipe, or laundry tub. Ensuring a functional and accessible drainage system is essential to prevent water damage and smooth operation.
5. Ducting
Dryers need proper venting through a window, exterior wall, or roof. The vent should be as straight and short as possible, with stiff metal ducts allowing air to exit efficiently. Minimising the length and curves in the duct can improve drying efficiency and reduce fire hazards.
6. Gas
If you’re using a gas-powered dryer, it must be connected to a natural gas line. It’s important to note that connecting a natural gas dryer to a propane line is not legal, so ensure the correct gas type for your location.
7. Space
A laundry room should have enough space to accommodate the washer and dryer while allowing room for ventilation and movement. Appliances typically need at least 30 inches of width and 35 inches of depth, with an additional 5.5 inches behind the dryer for the vent. The floor must be level and sturdy enough to support the weight of the machines and prevent any wobbling during operation.
8. Convenience
Locating the laundry room near high-traffic living areas can make laundry easier to manage. For example, placing the room near the kitchen or bedrooms can save time on laundry trips, especially if you are multitasking. However, it’s also important to consider noise. Some appliances are loud, so placing them too close to quiet spaces, such as bedrooms or living rooms, may disturb daily activities.
9. Safety
Safety is a vital factor in any laundry room setup. Appliances, especially dryers, must be maintained to prevent fires. Ensure that the dryer vent is kept free of lint and that any stackable washers and dryers are securely installed to prevent accidents. If you have mobility issues, placing the laundry room on the ground floor can prevent the need to carry heavy laundry baskets up and down stairs.
Laundry Design Considerations
In addition to location, the laundry space’s design is important. L-shaped or U-shaped layouts provide the most flexibility for storage, appliance placement, and access to sinks or counters. Depending on your household’s needs, you may also consider extra storage for detergents, an ironing board, or a folding table.
Laundry For Large Households
If you have a big family, accessibility is key. More frequent laundry loads will mean that your laundry room should be located somewhere convenient, such as near the bedrooms or kitchen. You may also want to invest in larger-capacity machines or create extra space for hampers and sorting clothes.
Laundry For Smaller Households
If your laundry needs are minimal, you can prioritise space-saving solutions, like a laundry closet or a smaller room near the kitchen. Compact washers and dryers can also help make the most of a small area without sacrificing functionality.
Conclusion
Choosing the best location for your laundry room depends on balancing convenience, utility access, and available space. Whether you place the room near the bedrooms, kitchen, or mudroom, it’s essential to factor in the practicality of utility access, noise levels, and the amount of space you’ll need for appliances.
FAQs About Laundry Room
Where Should A Laundry Room Be Placed?
Considering where the bulk of laundry is stored and used, it makes sense to put the laundry room near bedrooms. This would cut down on transporting dirty and clean laundry back and forth, and keeps the chore out of sight in the more private part of the home.
Why Are Laundry Rooms In The Kitchen?
Placing your laundry center in the kitchen makes it simple to do a quick load of wash while preparing a meal or cleaning up. Blend your laundry area with your kitchen by hiding it behind a set of doors. Here, even when the doors are open, the clean white washer and dryer set matches the color scheme of the kitchen.
Where Do You Put A Laundry Room In A Small House?
Best is to find a closet or small area that is adjacent to your kitchen or a bathroom. This will help you save money because there is already existing plumbing in these areas, so you will not need to create plumbing for your washer. Also, the ideal laundry room layout will have wet and dry zones
What Is The Area Of A Laundry Room?
The average laundry room size for most houses in the US is 54 square feet (6ft x 9ft). This space is enough to accommodate at least three laundry features, like laundry machines and storage units. Take into account the clearance spaces around these pieces, especially if you have a front-load washing machine.
Does Laundry Room Have To Be On Outside Wall?
Locating the laundry room on an outside wall ultimately depends on your appliances. Gas dryers always need to be vented to the outdoors, while electric dryers have indoor venting options. Consider the proximity to the outdoor wall for simplicity of the dryer’s vent installation.
