Laundry in a Cupboard

[Pollyanna]

I have recently bought a house that does not have enough bedrooms for my needs so I want to turn the oversize laundry into a bedroom by moving a wall, a door etc.

I still need a laundry. I am considering building it into a large cupboard (to be purpose built) in the back back entrance foyer. Or making it part of the kitchen when that gets re-done. Which would be best? Not to keen on the kitchen idea except using the current plumbing is possible.

What are the pros and cons of having the laundry in a cupboard?

[Honorary Bloke]

Laundry can easily be in a cupboard. Using the stacked appliances saves a lot of space. Just put it where it is most convenient. Don't forget to install the water shut-off to the side, where you can reach it.

[One small, nagging question. Why didn't you buy a house with enough bedrooms? Didn't you know how many bedrooms you'd need? ]

[Groggy]

We had a laundry in a cupboard behind bi-fold doors for a number of years. It worked well and, as it opened onto the hallway, we never felt the pinch for space. Just make sure you run a vent for the dryer to the outside when you do the remodelling.

[Pollyanna]

Thanks for the replies.

Why didn't you buy a house with enough bedrooms? Didn't you know how many bedrooms you'd need?

Money and opportunity basically. The house I bought has huge rooms, great yard etc only thing it was lacking was the one extra bedroom. Looked at other houses with enough bedrooms but they all had tiny bedrooms compared to this place and were priced higher.

Plus this house has a lot more potential and character than other places I looked at.

[juan]

Do not write off on the Kitchen idea. I lived in 2 houses during a stint in London and both had no laundry and had the Front Loading washing machine under the Kitchen benches. Maybe Poms have less washing but it worked fine I thought. They did not have tumble driers but rather used the central heating to assist with drying.

[jags]

hi polly

The laundry in the kitchen is very common in Europe and one option you should consider is a two in one combo . Personally i (correction the misses ) hates front loaders they take four times as long to wash as a top loader .

And at present with the washer dryer combos that are LG i believe that you have to do a rinse cycle before you can dry which is redicules . I put one in for this reno but it was purely for looks and resale .

rob

[namtrak]

I actually think laundries are an outdated idea as well. We have a combination washer/dryer which will go on the deck in a small cupboard with a drying cupboard above it. We'll then turn the existing laundry/toilet into an ensuite for the 4th bedroom.

[Pollyanna]

I have 4 kids. Washing machine/dryer under the kitchen bench would be a disaster. Clothes would left everywhere. They would be in the back room as well. Better there for me than under my feet in the kitchen.

I am going to one day add a walk-in robe and ensuite to the master bedroom as its big enough to them down the far end of the room. I want to have my own bathroom!

[flynnsart]

I rented a place with a cupboard that took up one wall of the kitchen, with a vinyl concetina door. In this cupboard was the washing machine, dryer, laundry sink, cupboard and a small sorting bench. It was very handy, and to add to this, the clothes line was just off the edge of the verandah which was only a short distance away. could do the washing, prep in kitchen etc all at same time. Had three kids.

Donna

[rhancock]

I had a friend with the washing machine in the kitchen - right between the fridge and the stove! What a stupid idea.

The tiny house I renovated in England, back when I was a single batchelor, I put a laundry cupboard in the bedroom. I loved it! You take your clothes off, put them in the machine, then in the drier, then in the wardrobe. Perfect.

[Pollyanna]

I am seriously considering putting the laundry in the bathroom behind a cupboard. If I remove the linen cupboard, knock down the wall that joined the back of it to the bathroom and put the shower over the bath there should be enough room and access to do this.

If I put a smaller linen cupboard than there is now in the actual bathroom will I have problems with damp and moisture ruining my linen?

[Jacksin]

Laundry in a cupboard is a great idea, far better than the kitchen

For the life of me I cant imagine preparing dinner with some cheesy old undies and stinking socks in the machine waiting to be washed, anywhere near the food YUK!

[eemgee]

Pollyanna,
Check your local Health & building regs, it can be against health & building to have washing facilities in the same room area as cooking facilities.
One thing to look at if buying a washing machine & dryer in one that the washing cycle takes say 7 kgs and the dryer only takes 5 kgs so you have to remove some of the load before the dryer will operate.

[Pollyanna]

Thanks for that Eemgee.

Not going to put it in the kitchen. Not workable for me. Undies on the floor........Eewwwww!

I try not to use the dryer. Those things cost a fortune to run but are great to have when needed. I don't have a washer and drier in one.

[Bubblesinc]

I have just renovated my kitchen as it was a small dingy place I did not like being in so i removed the wall to the laundry and incorporated the two

My washer/dry combo is under the bench behind doors that slide back to the sides when open

And for those dirty clothes i have 2 large hampers one for dirty one for ironing in the huge island bar that i would not have had otherwise

The cupboards above the washer holds all the powders etc

No one can tell the laundry is in the kitchen and even with the laundry stuff I have more room now in the rest of the kitchen than I could ever want

But for you this may not be an option if your kitchen isnt large enough

I thought about this kitchen for 5 years so take your time deciding what to do (but maybe not 5 years