Do you love or hate your countertop over the washer and dryer?

last year

We are thinking of putting a box around our washer dryer, as so many laundry room photos now show. My first thought is always "this looks nice, but is it practical?"

Our laundry room is fairly narrow so I forsee it being a PITA to get the machines serviced, but I‘d love feed back on pros and cons of this set up.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

Lyn Nielson
last year
LOVE! I have a butcher block countertop.
dadoes
last year
last modified: last year
Servicers hate boxed-in laundry appliances and may charge more for repair jobs. Some may refuse to do service unless the homeowner removes the appliance for access. Keep in mind that proper diagnosis/testing to determine a problem and post-repair testing to confirm the fix requires the appliance be connected to power, and often water supply/drain for a washer. The machine would need to be taken to a garage or patio with water and electric available or to an off-site location if the boxing-in impedes power/water access in the laundry room with the machine pulled far enough out of the boxing for service.
Related Discussions
Countertop depth for Whirlpool washer & dryer??
Q
Comments (1)
I am having an u/c washer dryer put into my new kitchen. I was planning on having the counter be about 36" deep. I figured that with a standard 31.5" deep unit, + 4" in back for venting, 36" should be about right to have it flush.
...See More
Do you love or hate your counter height dining?
Q
Comments (30)
What makes a chair comfortable isn't the padding or lack thereof. It's all about the shape of the seat and the shape of the back and the angle where the back of the chair meets the seat. I have a wood desk chair with a shaped seat that is far more comfortable than many padded chairs I've sat in. And for dining chairs, another big factor is the height of the seat in combination with the height of the table. If you want comfortable seating in your dining room, that will encourage people to linger after a meal, you really need to test the table and chairs together. I suspect that when people say a dining chair is comfortable, it isn't just the chair; it's also the way the chair and the table work together that makes the seat so comfortable. I'm sure it's possible to get a very comfortable counter height dining set, just as I know it is possible to get an uncomfortable regular table height dining set. So whatever you get, I hope you can test sit it first.
...See More
counter top depth for Whirlpool duet washer dryer
Q
Comments (1)
You need to decide on the exact model and check the user manual or installation instructions for that model as it will tell you how deep the machine is and how much space has to be left behind it for the hoses and plugs and how far forward the countertop can come over the top of the machine without interfering with your ability to use the machine. Most of the newer washing machines are much taller than the normal counter height. I think that all of the duets exceed standard kitchen countertop height and depth.
...See More
Counter top for washer/dryer
Q
Comments (27)
I would say I have to agree with your contractor. If you are already putting countertops in your home, it's not considerably more to do another room. There may be left over material from the kitchen, or the fabricator may have a remnant that would work. If you're going to go through the production of building a top for your washer and dryer - plywood will look pretty cheap, and will not have a nice smooth surface. In general wood is not a good option as it will scratch and is also susceptible to water damage. More and more my clients are asking me to do this - enclose their washers and dryers and put a quartz countertop above. I'm thinking that this will soon be the new norm. So my advice is that if your budget can stretch it - go for the quartz top - it might help your home value too. Otherwise, just leave "as is" - as many have already mentioned - you CAN fold on top of the existing appliances. - Just my humble opinion.
...See More
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
last year
Always best to make it removeable, Lyn's butcherblock is a great option. I just did one for a client where we used a butcher block 'island' top from lowes that came 3x6, we just had to shorten it slightly. Easy to remove when needed. I just did one in quartz for another client- I pity them when they need service ( I was told what to do not asked...)
anj_p
last year
I agree with @HALLETT & Co. I was considering doing a counter over mine. I was absolutely going to make it removeable (install support brackets on the walls and clips of some sort to the verticals).

The benefit to a counter is if you like to fold in your laundry room. Otherwise it's more aesthetic IMO.
smit2380
last year
last modified: last year
We have a countertop over ours (black laminate), but they are not boxed in and are still pretty easy to access. i like it ok. however however, it is a weird height and does tend to become a place where crap accumulates. However, the crap accumulation is a result of my moral failings rather than the countertop’s.
denkyem
last year
I'm super excited to put one in! We're doing an inexpensive commercial "butcher block" (actually a piece of Ikea island countertop). We'll definitely make ours removable. For me, the key benefit other than a folding spot is to have an attractive, finished-looking space that can do double duty as needed. Our laundry machines will be in a nook in our basement rec room which will double as a guest suite, so I suspect this is where we'll set up a plug-in kettle/coffee pot for guests. The back corner might also end up being where we charge our lawn mower batteries.

Related Stories

GREAT HOME PROJECTS Hate Hauling Laundry? Give Dirty Clothes the Chute

By Nicole White Designs Interiors LLC

New project for a new year: Install a quick route to the laundry room

Full Story

By Alison Hodgson

Don't have an 'I'd rather be cleaning' bumper sticker? To keep your home bearably tidy when the kids are around more, try these strategies

Full Story

154

KITCHEN DESIGN So Over Stainless in the Kitchen? 14 Reasons to Give In to Color

By Becky Harris

Colorful kitchen appliances are popular again, and now you've got more choices than ever. Which would you choose?

Full Story

236

BATHROOM DESIGN Bathroom Countertops 101: The Top Surface Materials

By Lisa Kahn

Explore the pros and cons of 7 popular bathroom countertop materials

Full Story

135

By Vanessa Brunner

Get details and costs on top counter materials to help you narrow down the choices for your kitchen

Full Story

504

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Countertops 101: Choosing a Surface Material

By Lisa Frederick

Explore the pros and cons of 11 kitchen countertop materials. The options may surprise you

Full Story

116

REMODELING GUIDES From the Pros: 8 Reasons Kitchen Renovations Go Over Budget

By Erin Carlyle

We asked kitchen designers to tell us the most common budget-busters they see

Full Story

170

KITCHEN DESIGN Using White Marble: Hot Debate Over a Classic Beauty

By Beth Dotolo, ASID, RID, NCIDQ

Do you love perfection or patina? Here's how to see if marble's right for you

Full Story

161

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Loving Linen All Over the Home

By Cedar Hill Interiors, LLC

Charmingly rumpled or ironed smooth, these linen finds from napkins to curtains bring casual elegance to rooms

Full Story

KITCHEN DESIGN New This Week: 4 Surprising Backsplash and Countertop Pairings

By Mitchell Parker

Make your kitchen workspace stand out with colored ceramic tile, back-painted glass, butcher block and more

Full Story

Do you love or hate your countertop over the washer and dryer?

Comments (6)

Lyn Nielson

dadoes

Related Discussions

HALLETT & Co.

anj_p

smit2380

denkyem

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US