Whether you’re planning a new house or just reorganizing an existing house, you have plenty of options when it comes to locating your washer and dryer.
There are a few things you need to consider first though, especially if you want to save money and time.
In this article we’ll take a closer look at important considerations when locating a new laundry room, and we’ll walk you through the best locations.
Main considerations when locating a new laundry room
The placement of utilities have the final say when it comes to locating all your appliances, but perhaps most importantly your washer and dryer as they require access to multiple utilities in order to function properly.
When setting up a new laundry room, you want to look for proper electrical and plumbing installations, but you also want to make sure the room is properly ventilated.
If your house already has a dedicated laundry room with the hookups required to run a washer and dryer, we recommend that you use it instead of locating another space.
Electricity – Washers and dryers require electricity, and they need to be within a distance of 6 feet to the outlet. Power has to be grounded, and outlets must be three-prong. Ensuring proper and safe access to electricity is crucial, and if you’re in doubt we recommend hiring a professional to assess the situation.
Plumbing – This is another key factor. You need to be able to connect to the hot and cold water supply, otherwise your washer won’t work.
Drain system – Washers (and some tumble dryers) require a drain system. A floor drain, a standpipe or a laundry tub could work.
Ducting – Some dryers are vented and require access to a duct that goes through an exterior wall, but others are equipped with a heat pump or a condenser that do not require ducting.
Ventilation – You want your laundry room to be properly ventilated in order to prevent mildew and mold. Make sure there’s access to opening a window nearby, or at the very least a ventilation fan.
Put your washer/dryer near the wardrobe
Another important thing to consider is practicality. Where do you usually change your clothes?
Most people change their clothes after showering or in the wardrobe, so you might want to put your washer and dryer nearby or at least on the same floor.
By doing so you don’t have to carry the laundry over greater distances, up or down stairways. Simply collect the laundry in a basket on wheels, and then roll it to the washer whenever it’s laundry day.
Kitchen
The kitchen is a central place in your house, where all sorts of activities go on throughout the day. All utilities are highly likely to be available in a kitchen too, so you can easily access the water pipes and drainage from here.
Locating your washer and dryer in a kitchen have a few disadvantages though. They aren’t aesthetically pleasing to look at, and generate a lot of noise which could be bothersome in a kitchen that is openly connected with your dining area and living room.
If the kitchen is your only option and you want a washer AND dryer, you might want to look into a front-load washer/dryer combo unit. See Top-Load vs. Front-Load Washers if you want to learn more about the differences between the traditional top-load washer and front-load washers.
Basement
A properly ventilated, dry basement is a great place to put a washer and dryer, as you most likely have easy access to all the utilities needed to run them.
One major disadvantage though, is that you’ll have to haul your laundry up and down stairs and for some people this is a tedious task.
If you don’t want to spend extra money on making it look nice and tidy, a basement is a good option. More often than not, basements’ main purpose is to function as a storage area anyway, so it doesn’t really make a difference if there’s a washer and dryer located down there.
Bathroom
The bathroom is built to withstand higher levels of moisture and humidity, so locating a washer and dryer in here is a great idea. However, if your bathroom is connected to your bedroom and you like taking occasional naps during the day, be prepared to get woken up if the washer or dryer run at the same time.
Washers can be very noisy when they start spinning, and dryers make a good amount of noise too.
Garage
A garage may or may not be an ideal location for your washer and dryer, depending on the overall condition of your garage. It has to be insulated for your dryer to work properly, as it doesn’t work in a cold environment.
The garage could potentially be a great solution as it keeps the noise away from your living areas of your house, and if it’s at the same level with no stairs you can easily roll your laundry baskets out there when it’s time to do the laundry.
Mudroom
Mudrooms are extremely underrated, but these multi-purpose areas are perfect for a washer and dryer. Mudrooms are made to be wet, dirty, and dusty. The room is usually off limits for guests, and you can use it for all sorts of purposes.
They usually have an entryway from outside, which is usually hidden out of sight from the front yard – perfect for households with kids or pets that often get themselves into messy situations.
Mudrooms often have the utilities needed for installing a washer and dryer, so this is definitely worth considering.
Hallway nook
A hallway could be a great place to locate your washer and dryer. It’s an easily accessible area in most houses with plenty of space, and if there’s a nook you can easily tuck your washer and dryer combo away there. Add a bifold or pocket door to provide a bit of insulation against the noise, and you’re all set.
One major problem though, is that you might need major plumbing work done in order to access water, electricity and drainage.