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Need help with locating my washing machine & dryer

Deborah Sneddon

7 years ago

I built a new kitchen and took the washing machine & dryer out to create more space. (I turned a kitchen/utility into a kitchen/diner.)

I live in the UK where it is traditional to put these appliances in either the kitchen or utility room, and the local bathroom companies seem to think I am completely potty for wanting to locate them in a bathroom!

I no longer have a utility room as the new kitchen was extended into it. However, I am planning a new shower room, off the hall, next to the bedrooms, which will be 2600 x 2600 with a door at one end (not yet located) and a window at the other, which is 900 in from the left wall and 450 in from the right wall, and opposite the door wall. I think it might be a good idea to put the appliances in there, boxed in, but am confused as to the layout. Stacked or side by side? I would also like to incorporate plenty of storage space into the new shower room.

I could also put them into a hall cupboard but don't really want to lose the cupboard space and I think the shower room will be big enough, but don't want it to seem claustrophobic!

Any help would be gratefully received!

Regards,

Deborah.

Featured Answer

PRO

User

7 years ago

I don't think it's potty! Plenty of people do this, and let's face it, it's common practice in other countries such as Spain. As long as everything is hidden, then you are the only one that will know where they are, when the doors are closed, it will just look like a nice big storage cupboard.

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Comments (12)

J
7 years ago
Coming from Australia I'd prefer the laundry in the bathroom before the kitchen. And it's quite common to see that combo. Particularly when space is tight. Or a laundry/utility room with a loo and extra shower. It makes sense to me that where you take off your clothes you then toss into a basket or straight into the washer. No lugging them around.
If you've got the space in the bathroom I'd go for it.
I've seen them built under a bench with a basin in it. Or stacked into a cupboard like the great examples above.
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Washing machines in bathrooms are quite common in Italy. Sounds like the cupboard is big enough. May be worth getting extra isolating switches (I think that’s what they are called!) so you can turn the machines off without having to haul the machines out if they need any work, rather like you do in a kitchen. If you have a door to the cupboard it will keep things nice and tidy.
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That’s really easy then. Put the washing machine where the radiator / cupboard currently is. House it within a cupboard. you can also put a tumble dryer on top. Lots of ideas within ‘utility rooms’ in Houzz. the shower you are more limited to because of the wall, you can’t have a shower over the window. It’s best to have a wash basin under the window, not the toilet. personally I would put the toilet in the corner by the window then the wash basin, then round the next corner I would have storage then the shower then the washing machine by the door. I would put the radiator where the wash basin currently is. hope that makes sense?
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In all honesty this does not seem a practical idea. Washing machines are 45 - 50cm deep before you alllow for the plumbing connection. There is no obvious availability of plumbing in the location. You will have to cut holes in the rear of the sideboard in addition to losing the front doors & drawers. In trying to save this piece of furniture you end up with nothing left of it except the sides & top. If it does work out I’d be very interested in seeing the completed project!
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whiteleghorn
7 years ago
I live in the UK too. I also wanted my washing machine in the bathroom. Unfortunately, there turned out to be an electrical regulation which stopped me. It transpired that I should not be able to touch the washing machine and a shower, sink or bath simultaneously incase of electrocution. Queerly, in a kitchen or utility room this rule does not apply.
Deborah Sneddon
Original Author
7 years ago
I am allowed to put the washing machine and dryer in the shower room, provided that they are hard wired to a switched socket and RCD protected. The fact that they are also enclosed within cabinets helps, and there is an extractor above the shower. The enclosure also has a door. I agree that the "touching things" is a silly rule when it doesn't apply in kitchens or utility rooms! Perhaps the regs have been relaxed because I'm also getting a socket for my hairdryer, albeit in a cupboard!
A S
7 years ago
Hi, we also took the Dryer and washer out the kitchen to allow for more storage and better flow off units in the kitchen diner.

We also Considered a large shower room/wash room where we would locate these appliances but decided against for no real reason. Instead we made the shower room smaller and created a partially enclosed space for these appliances to fit outside the washroom.

we are still unsure whether to stack them or let them stand free.

Good luck in your project..
phoenix64
7 years ago
i put my washer and dryer in the utility room but left them side by side for the simple reason that at 5ft 2, i wouldn't be able to get the clothes out of the dryer easily if it was stacked on top of the washing machine. Also, I like to lift the clothes out of the dryer and put them on the worktop above for easy folding. Just more practical for the way I do the laundry. Love the look of the stacked though!
obobble
7 years ago
You should go with whatever suits your preferred way of working. If you have room for side by side with a work surface above and you like to fold in situ then go with that. Otherwise, stacked is very space efficient. Have you thought about the proximity to where and how any hand washing will be done? Will you be using the sink in the shower room. If so will it be big enough? Whatever you choose I would recommend having a dryer where the condensate drains via a hose into the washing machine outlet. No more emptying the reservoir or finding the dryer has stopped mid cycle cos it's full!
Deborah Sneddon
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi! I've decided to go with side by side and the dryer is located next to the outside wall and it's vented out that way. Yes, I considered that the worktop would be useful but I normally fold clothes on the bed so I don't know if the habits of a lifetime will change! I never do hand washing.....I don't own anything that precious! Haha!
PRO
Lariko Architects
7 years ago
Perfectly sensible idea and common place in Scandinavia; clean where you clean, cook where you eat. The regs are fairly clear in U.K. and a topic has already covered this here https://www.houzz.co.uk/discussions/washing-machine-in-bathroom-dsvw-vd~2995418

If you have the ceiling height, stack your appliances. We have recently carried this out on a client's utility space and provides plenty of free space elsewhere. A door that slides into a pocket will also help save space when open and keep noise down when closed.
Deborah Sneddon
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you. That's pretty much what my electrician said he needed to see in order to provide the certificate. I will show pics when the job is finished!
PRO
Lariko Architects
7 years ago
Great, look forward to seeing the finished product Deborah and good luck!

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