Right Way To Do The Laundry

There is no right answer to the best location for a home’s laundry room. But it is worth considering when planning a major kitchen, bath or basement remodeling project and will have a plumber, electrician and carpenter on site.

Often the most basic question is whether you prefer a smaller but more convenient laundry or a larger, better appointed one that is less accessible. However, Tomco incorporates design details that make the most of any site.

A main-level laundry room off the kitchen is handy, preferably not in the mudroom.  Most mudrooms are too small, have too much traffic and are too difficult to keep clean to double as a laundry.  With basement space less precious, you usually can include more features to offset the downside of stairs.  You also may be willing to steal a little space during a master suite remodel to make room for a washer/dryer near  upstairs baths and bedrooms, where most laundry begins and ends.

Although the mudroom and laundry are a poor match, Realtors and designers are high on versatile spaces that can adapt to different needs.  Just choose uses that would benefit from the shared plumbing.

Basement Laundry Design Tips

When remodeling or finishing a basement, Tomco can design a laundry room with a deep sink, large folding surfaces, hanging rods, drying racks, convenient storage and bright, shadow free lighting.

If space allows, consider setting it up as a crafts room.  Just be sure to include a space where one or two people can sit at the counter or include a good-sized table. A basement laundry also could be a great place for a pet washing station.

Ideally, incorporate a chute so family members can dump dirty laundry directly into a basket from the floors above.  A dumbwaiter would be great to get clean folded laundry back upstairs, but that seldom is practical when remodeling. Instead, consider cubbies with small laundry baskets and encourage each family member to tote his or her own basket.

Upstairs Laundry Construction Details

Some Tomco clients love having a washer/dryer near their upstairs bedrooms to shorten the distance between hamper and closet, even if it means foregoing a laundry sink, low-traffic zone and folding surface.

Tomco suggests a louvered door to shield view of the appliances and maintain needed ventilation. Installing the washer within a drain pan can contain some leaks, but it won’t provide much protection if you develop a hose leak under pressure. A lever-style supply shutoff and stainless steel reinforced hoses can improve peace of mind.  We also like to insulate walls to reduce noise. Note: If your washer is installed in a drain pan, remember to pour a pint of water into the pan each month so the trap doesn’t evaporate and allow sewer gas to escape.

Main Level Laundry Suggestions

Main floor space is premium real estate.  If you cannot justify a dedicated laundry room or combination crafts room or dog wash at least consider soundproofing, easy clean flooring and temporary use convenience features such as a pullout hanging rod or folding surface. Mudroom laundries also benefit from a central vac toekick port for faster floor sweeping.