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Laundry Room Design Dilemma Bathrooms

Design dilemma new half bath/laundry/storage

last year

Hi All! I'm having a really hard time designing our new laundry room/half bath and hoping for MAXIMUM storage (we don't have a coat or cleaning closet). I'm worried with the space, I'm looking for too much. Help please!!

The dimensions are 80"x120", and have a door on the 80" side that can be positioned anywhere along that wall. On the opposite wall, there is a high window in the corner. Ceilings are tall and I am opened to splitting the space into two rooms if that'll be more comfortable. Any advice on how to get max storage without making it look too crammed is muchly appreciated!! My poor visual ideas attached :)

Featured Answer

kandrewspa

last year

Have you measured the depth from front edge to wall of your W/D? It looks like you are only allowing 32" for them. Mine take up more room than that. It does depend on how your dryer vents and how it gets to the outside, but I suggest you look at this before committing yourself to one of these plans. While you can say you can move the hook-ups, be sure you are also including the venting when you're thinking about moving the dryer.

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Comments (10)

KW PNW Z8
last year
I don’t know about any of your designs but I wondered about a couple of points. Is this an existing space in an existing house? Is there already some kind of plumbing / water hookup in this space? The answer to that might determine where powder room & washer live. Do you know if you prefer a stacking WD over separate units? If you have to choose between coat closet or storage, which do you want most? You’re showing different options in each drawing. What I don’t see is a work surface next to dryer for folding
Emma B
Original Author
last year
Thanks for the great questions - @KW PNW Z8! Yes, this is an existing space in an existing house, with W/D Hook up. The space will be expanded as we're moving a staircase from this space, so we have flexibility to move the hook-ups anywhere in the room. I don't have a preference on stacked W/D v separate, as I have a front-loaded wash, so there's flexibility there as well!

If I were to prioritize, I think coat closet is preferred v top/bottom cabinets. Thanks again!
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Debbi Washburn
last year
Except for the first plan and possibly the last one, none of the others will work. You will need to have a minimum space for the toilet of 30" wide and from back to any obstruction opposite the toilet , about 48" - none of the middle designs fits those requirements.

I would strongly suggest using a pocket door - that will help with the flow.

Keep in mind when you are drawing out plans that you have to add in the wall thicknesses. Your 24" deep coat closet is actually going to be about 29" deep when framed ( unless you are going to try to do it with a tall cabinet ( the really needs to e 24" for the hangers to be straight). I would try to find a designer to help you with all the pieces of this puzzle!

Good luck
Emma B thanked Debbi Washburn
Emma B
Original Author
last year
This is really helpful feedback, Thanks @Debbi Washburn!
mainenell
last year
You need to allow a couple of extra inches width size for the washer and dryer, also. I really feel you need at least 36” in front of a washer and dryer for ease of use, especially with front loading. (Not to say that I didn’t manage to put a laundry area into a space 55”x55”. Had to use a top load washer and side venting dryer to do it. It is tight, but my tenants appreciate having in unit laundry.)
PRO
Debbi Washburn
last year
Also keep in mind through all of this - at some point you will need to be able to move these machines out of the room. So in that case , the first plan might not work ( or make the shallow " cabinets" adjustable shelving units - no doors; that way you could remove the shelves and pull the machine forward then turn it to get it out. ). This is also important with the door into the room. If the w/d is 27" wide the door will need to be at least a 29 or 30" for ease of moving the machines and some fingers on the side! .

Lots of planning to do here.
ratherbeatthebeach
last year
I like option one the best. It looks the least crowded and gives you both storage and a coat closet. Plus I strongly dislike the idea of the coat closet in the bathroom itself - what if someone needs their coat in a hurry while someone else is using the bathroom?
Emma B
Original Author
last year
Agreed @ratherbeatthebeach!
Denise Marchand
last year
last modified: last year
Here's a plan that might work for you which includes a work counter, two utility closets, a coat closet and a decent size bathroom. Consider a pocket door to the bathroom and have the door to the hall swing out.

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