Thanks, everyone! This is SO helpful! So, for using the baskets" ours is more of a "laundry traffic management" system. We each have our own (they are actually Bungalow Scout Junque Trunques - pretty huge!) - so Mom, Dad, Daughter #1 and Daughter #2 each have their own spot for laundry. We don't actively keep dirties there or sort with them, everyone keeps their dirty laundry in a hamper in their room and then it comes down to get done. Then when dry, it goes in their own basket, they take their basket to put the laundry away and the basket comes back to the laundry room home base. That's why the kind that sits in a pull-out drawer, or even the rolling wouldn't be as ideal (we have a three-story house so the laundry is traveling all over. rococogurl, can you send me a link or take pic of those baskets though? I'd love to see what those look like - and it certainly saves me on base cabinets since I don't have those?!) That SAID, I am now thinking that since Ikea has those handy cabinets with pull outs that are pretty reasonable, maybe I'll build in two of those for towels and sheets? A big hamper for those would be fabulous and they never fit in our "personal" baskets. Knowing that, what do you think in terms of where the baskets live? That's sort of why I'm focused on the folding, packing in basket, and returning, process. In terms of using a sink, we've had laundry upstairs for 12 years and the ONLY time I've soaked something is when my husband washed whites with a red sock and i was trying to white vinegar out the pink. So, wouldn't say we are big "hand washing people." It's more to have the option - and to have a place to wash your hands which I do want b/c of sticky soap, lint, etc. So, in light of that, thoughts on the sink? The think about our corner is that unless I put a giant lazy susan, it is a dead corner because of the window, so it's sort of why I considered that option? The idea of it by the big utility cabinet is interesting too through (again, rococogurl - thx) - it leaves me the MOST countertop space in one swoop. And, the big utility cabinet is actually for the mop, swiffer, vacuum, etc so there could be some value to it being there? rococogurl, any chance you could take some photos of your laundry room (I won't judge - it's about function!) The washer and dryer are going to be on a platform and then on a pedastal - I just couldn't do that in the IKEA rendering. I'm 5' 11" and my hubby is 6' 2 and our daughters are already tall, so the higher the better! I'm ok not having counter there as a sacrifice for not breaking my back. The only thing that occurred to me after is that I could have run a counter along the wall to the LEFT of the washer - that would have been handy, even if it was just width of a basket b/c I could have set something there and it's sort of dead space now. Hmmmm... I think the plumbing is already in though for the washer, does it need to be right behind it? mydreamhome, if I go corner, what brand is that? it does look like a nice size? Last question to toss out there, I've been struggling wth what countertop material. My contractor has a slab of soapstone that is pretty and could be used for a really good good price. I know soapstone is soft but I guess what I"m thinking of is making it a very CLASSIC laundry room - white subway, simplicity? My house is a 1917 Colonial, so while having a laundry room on the 2nd floor like this is out of period, soapstone is not?! Even if it gets marked up and "loved" over the years? Thoughts? THANK YOU to all of you - I have no one here to help me. No designer and my contractor just executes. My husband has a mantra: "I care deeply but have no preference." So, I really appreciate your thoughts! Alexa

I don't think there is, but since I have responded, this should drop down on the page.

I like Rococogurls suggestions. There could be an island in the center for crafts, sewing, etc. too. Though, that may not suit your needs. The kitchen though, have you considered having the kitchen forum look at your plan. There are some real experts over there. The reason, is that I see some things that look like they might need rearranging for more efficiency. I am not a kitchen layout expert, but over on the kitchen forum there are experts, and very kind and helpful experts. For instance the location of the stove, between the sink and the frig, is possibly awkward. Back to the laundry room. You'll need room to store supplies, and more. You will need hanging space to dry items. You'll need a counter for folding. You'll need easy access for the dryer vent to clean periodically. You'll need access to quick shut off of water in case of leaks, or when leaving for vacation. Any cabinetry at the machine area, needs to allow for machine maintenance and pulling out the units for repairs. It looks like your current plan locates the set against an interior wall. How will the dryer be vented? It would be better to locate the dryer against an exterior wall for the shorted ducting you can get. Dryer vent spec installation varies between brands. The manual will spec length of run that is desired. If it is too long of a run, then an inline exhaust dryer fan is recommended, I believe. When there is a 90degree bend, that = 5' of your allowed run. So you can't put in very many elbows before you use up all your length. My machine is 8' away from my exterior wall over the basement, where the duct runs between the joist. Because of all the bends to get it 4' down into the floor, then out the exterior wall 8' away, I used up 33' feet in the equation. The vent on the outside of the wall = 10' of ducting I believe. I could be off on some of these numbers, but it needs to be considered when locating a dryer. Depending on your exterior, you could put them under the window in the upper right 45 degree angled wall. But you don't want the dryer vented onto a gathering area, like a patio, cause lint will blow out. It's best to have the front loaders against a load bearing wall too. When machines are placed on joist flooring system, they need to be near the end of the joist. Otherwise there is tendency to bounce the floor. Unless you are on a slab of concrete, that is ideal, and the machines can go anywhere. The machines need to be able to be absolutely level once installed.

We have a similar utility closet. My husband made a bookshelf on wheels which slides into the space in front of the furnace. It is nothing fancy, but he sized the height of shelves exactly to hold various spray bottles & bins of lightbulbs, microfiber towels, etc. It rolls into the hallway when the repairman comes or the filter needs replacing. We put a set of flat wall hung wire shelves above that on the side wall for little cleaning things like Brasso. And we hung hooks from the ceiling for tall things like dustmop. Short folding step ladder slides in under those. Biggest regret that we didn't add an electric outlet for charging stuff. I have elsewhere a laundry closet w/stacked machines and deep shelves beside them sized for laundry baskets and clothes maintenance stuff like detergent & spray wash, mending, iron, etc etc. I have no place for lay-flat-to-dry...partly because I just don't buy such things, but I have seen slide out wire contraptions. that fit under a shelf. You have enough room for a small ironing board that hangs on the door & folds down...I've had one in the past & it was more than adequate for the little bit of ironing we do. Left-handed ironing might be an issue if you iron a lot. I lust for your laundry sink, which could have a big dog food bin beside & cabinetry above. And that long wall which I would fill with hooks. Don't forget a trash can.