Testing Out Floor Plan Room Sizes In Real Life
If I’m looking at my calendar right, I should be meeting with the architect about our addition next week. We don’t have a meeting scheduled, but he was going on vacation and we planned to meet when he gets back. So hopefully we can schedule a meeting by the end of next week.
I’ve been stressing a little bit about two specific areas on the floor plan I drew up. In case you missed it, here’s what that floor plan looks like with the addition in pink…
The first area I’ve been concerned about is the storage closet for Matt’s equipment. On my floor plan, I have this storage closet measuring 7’4″ x 5’4″. It’s accessible through the master bedroom, but as many readers suggested, I’ll probably have it accessible through a door on the family room side as well.
So I moved some furniture out of the music room to clear a large area of the floor, and with my painters tape and tape measure in hand, I measured and taped off an area that 7’4″ x 5’4″, and then added the doorways.
This storage closet needs to hold three items — the Hoyer lift, the power wheelchair, and the shower wheelchair. So I brought all three of those items into the music room and put them in the taped off area to be sure they’d fit.
And yes, I took all three of them in through the taped off “doorway” and maneuvered them into place to be sure everything could fit through the doorway and turn as needed to be put into place. My main concern was getting the Hoyer lift through the doorway and turned with the wheelchairs in place. But it worked out perfectly! Everything fit, and there was even a little room to spare. And everything fit in the order that makes sense, so that was a huge relief.
The next area I wanted to see in real life size was the laundry room. On the floor plan, I have this area as 7’4″ x 10′. So I took up the “storage closet” tape and remarked the floor with the laundry room dimensions.
And then I marked off the washer and dryer, countertop with sink, and a full height storage cabinet for things like a broom, mop, vacuum cleaner, etc.
Here are those areas labeled. The two dots of painters tape show how far out the washer and dryer doors extend into the floor space when they’re open.
I walked around “inside” the laundry room area quite a bit to get a good feel of the size and layout, and while it’s not a huge laundry room, I think there will be plenty of room for what I need and want. I don’t need or want a bedroom-sized laundry room with all the bells and whistles imaginable. I just want and need an area to tuck away my washer and dryer, to have a bit of countertop space with a sink, and to have some storage. Nothing too fancy.
So naturally, after getting this taped off, I was curious to see if I could find any laundry rooms online with this layout. I didn’t find any that are exactly like this, but I did find some that have some similarities. (All photos are from Houzz.com.)
If the window in this laundry room were a door, this would be just like my layout. But I would want to add some upper cabinets somewhere. I don’t want a lot of open shelves that I’d feel like I have to decorate. I want usable closed storage. But I do love the washer and dryer compartment with the countertop on top, and the sink and lower cabinets right next to it.
Here’s another one with the same layout, but it’s flipped the other way. I like the closed cabinets above the washer and dryer, and the sink area with the hanging bar, shelf, and sconce above the sink.
And here’s another similar arrangement. I love the idea of using butcherblock countertops in a laundry room. I’d want mine to be walnut.
One drawback to having cabinets over the washer and dryer for me is that I’m so short, so reaching past the 34-inch-deep washer and dryer to anything inside those cabinets will be a challenge. So that might actually be the right place for some pretty open shelves and a hanging bar, and then the rest of the area over the standard depth lower cabinets can be used for upper cabinets that I’ll actually be able to reach.
And I haven’t 100% ruled out stacking my washer and dryer. If I do that, it would give me 28 inches more of countertop and lower cabinet space. That means I’d have to use a step stool to see the controls on the dryer, but maybe that’s not a big deal. I find myself keeping the dryer on the same setting with most loads anyway, so if I just need to push the start button, I can do that without a step stool. Stacking them would eliminate that unusable/unreachable space above the washer and dryer, and would give me more usable/reachable lower cabinet space.
I still have plenty of time to work through my thoughts on that decision. But for now, at least I’ve seen in real life what a 7’4″ x 10′ laundry room will look like, and I’ve seen with my own eyes that it’ll be plenty of space for what I want and need.
I’m so incredibly excited about having a laundry room!! I’ve never had one in my life. I’ve had the washer and dryer in the garage in two homes, in a closet in two homes, and now in a corner of a massive room that is pretty much a huge storage room. So it’ll be a dream to have an actual dedicated laundry room. And of course, the fun part will be making it pretty. Y’all know that no laundry room of mine will have white cabinets. My laundry room may be small, but I want it to look like a little jewel box. 😀 There will definitely be color and pattern.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
I really do understand your desire for more countertop space. But as a short person myself, I can’t imagine using a step stool just to do laundry. The space above may seem like an unused area but who doesn’t want more storage space. That’s the time to get out the step stool.
Another practical item that is not addressed in so many photos is laundry basket storage.
I could probably keep those in the tall storage cabinet on a shelf just above the vacuum cleaner and mop section.
Have you seen that they have recessed boxes for the dryer vent to save space?
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-12-in-W-x-17-75-in-L-Metal-Recessed-Dryer-Vent-Box-MDRBHD/313386890
Did you take into account the washer and dryer sit a little way from the wall for vents and water lines?
No, but there’s still plenty of space for that.
Was just coming here to say that. You’ll need more room than you think, especially since front loader doors are bulky. I’d bump the 7’4” dimension to 8’ if you can get away with it.
My laundry is 7’ wide and when I had front loaders with both doors open, I was constantly trapped between the washer/dryer doors and the wall behind me. I can’t change the size of my laundry room, so I went back to a top loader, which has been easier in my small space.
Hi, one issue about stacked washer and dryer is repair. I know your appliances are new but…. I have lived in a few homes where a smallish individual has come to repair the dryer and needs to call for help getting it down. This causes delays and in one case at a rental unit, the dryer never made it back up. We just kinda used it in the middle of the room. I will never stack my appliances for that reason.
Are you putting pocket doors on the storage closet? If not, i’m sure you have accounted for door swings and taking up room that way. I love your projects. Thank you for sharing them.
That’s a very good point. I hadn’t considered that.
All of the doors in the addition will be pocket doors.
If you stack the washer dryer, would there be room for a dog wash station for Cooper? I feel like that was on your wish list in the past. Our laundry is about the same size but is too much of a pass through with doors on each wall one leads into the main living area, 1 leads into the powder room, 1 leads to the garage and one is a side entrance out to our trash storage. so it feels much smaller with less storage space.
A dog wash station was on my original wish list way back, but now that we have such a huge shower in our master bathroom, I don’t think I need a dedicated dog wash station. Our shower works perfectly for bathing Cooper.
And you can get 10′ shower hoses for bathing animals and people in shower chairs! Very useful when I had dogs and in the last years of my husband’s life.
I also noticed that in the storage closet, you could actually nest the Hoyer around/over the shower chair if you needed room for another object. It would also be easier to back the Hoyer out to get to the shower chair instead of trying to turn it to get it out the door. I am EXTREMELY familiar with maneuvering one of those beasts around even in the confines of a hospital room. Also, you could put a small cabinet on the wall where the shower chair sits so it would roll “under it” from a little above the arm height. This would be low enough for you to reach. When I was using the Hoyer at home, I had several sets of slings due to washing soiled ones and needing another at the same time. Excellent storage place.
I didn’t have a storage closet in my 13 x 14 bedroom so I removed the bedside chair and stashed the Hoyer in that spot next to the bed.
Love your thought process and taping exercises. So practical!
When you taped off the laundry room space did you leave space for the hookups, plugs and dryer vent? I couldn’t tell from the pic. If the W/D sets further forward does that change to room too much? Is there enough room in the current sunroom to stack the W/D now to see how you like it?
I have seen boxes that fit between studs that are specifically for this purpose. It allows the drier to sit close to the wall.
Laundry rooms tend to create a lot of dust. Personally, I prefer cabinets over open shelving for that reason. In addition, closed cabinets always look neat and clean. Whatever you decide I am positive that it will be AMAZING just like you!
Perhaps look into the single washer/dryer combo. They have come a long way and can wash and dry in one machine. If you are a one load a day person this could be perfect for you and Matt. It would free up space and have all the controls on one level.
Sheila F.
This is a really good idea. I have a friend who lives alone and bought one of these for her new house. Loves it and says it works well.
I literally just bought a new washer and dryer. I’m not in the market for a new one.
I love that you’re checking the sizing of the rooms to the extent that you are and not just on paper! I’m excited to see what you do with the laundry room. One thing to think about is having the water shut-off for the washer maybe underneath the same cabinet that the sink’s is – so you’ll have easy shut-off just in case. It won’t be too easy to get to with the washer and dryer in a cubby.
Maybe you could build a little step stool kind of like a bench that would fit under the swing of the washer door. That might give you just enough height to see the controls. And if you make it not too deep it won’t be in the way the rest of the time.
I love this idea!
I would rethink having a stacked washer and dryer for reasons already mentioned plus also you may not be “able” to use a step stool at some point. Even using a step stool could potentially be a hazard you wouldn’t want to risk. On another note, I don’t see a coat closet anywhere for you and your guests as they enter your front door. Have you thought of where you will hang up their coats or jackets as they arrive? Those of us up North think of things like that but perhaps where you live winters and cold spells aren’t an issue.
Some years, we don’t even have a winter. 😀 But I can just put a coat rack somewhere. I don’t need a coat closet.
Yes, to Suze2’s thought. If this is your forever home, there will come a time when you don’t want to use even a low step stool. No matter how strong and agile you are, there is always the danger of a misstep and that could break a bone. Also, if your Mom ever moves in with you, it would be to her benefit as well.
Your architect will love you, Kristi, for all the forethought you’ve given these measurements and functions. Nice work!
Two comments: one, where do you store your dirty clothes? Do you need to incorporate that in the laundry room?
Two: consider pocket doors on the storage closet for Matt.
Good luck next week.
I have a clothes hamper in the bathroom, but will probably move it to a section in the wardrobe wall in the bedroom once we have that. All of the doors in the addition will be pocket doors.
I have two thoughts on the layout: the first one is room for the wall water heater and then the second id the depth on the ikea pax wardrobe in the bedroom. The wardrobe depth is 23″/24″ with drywall. That depth will also determine the wall length before the storage closet opening. I just don’t think there is enough room. I may be wrong, but i just wanted you to be aware of the situation. Also, how wide are you making the doorways and can Matt’s wheelchair really fit while in use? My father-in-law’s wheelchair needed more room to maneuver with his disabled hands than when I used my hands. Sorry to ramble on! I just want you space to be perfect for you and Matt! The addition is going to be great!
I took all of that into consideration when taping it out, and there’s plenty of room. There will be enough room for 34-inch doors, and they will be pocket doors. Matt’s wheelchair can fit through a 32-inch door with plenty of room to spare.
As a vertically challenged person, I wonder if there is a way to build in a step stool in the toe kick area. That would be a dream item if I ever remodel either my kitchen or my laundry room.
So I got a odd laundry closet placement. There’s limited floor space in front of the machines. I hated reaching up and over as kiddo now my genius thing was I got two deep shelf brackets installed above the machines low enough to stack. Magically 32″ is the width to fit my 1.25 bushel baskets. I got some small shelves for the laundry things up high next to the machines. It’s not closed storage, but it is nice to have a place for what’s needed. If the top didn’t become a dumping ground, I’d be able to fold, and not block things.
I admire your “pre-planning”…it will be worth it. There are two items I’d like to mention…
First, what I learned from reading floor plans when we were planning our new home: what was on the plan isn’t necessarily the area you get when the house/walls are built — the area between the two walls (where the studs are) needs to be taken into account. That cut down on the area I THOUGHT we were going to have in each room..
Second, I am very short also, and have shoulder problems so I can’t reach very high. I solved it by having one of these stools in practically each room of our house (including laundry room). They are easily collapsible because of the way the little handle works; and I love them.
Wishing you and Matt well, and can’t wait to see the new addition. 🙂
ooops, I forgot to put the weblink for the stool:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088BC1S59/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
Hi Kristi. I would love a laundry room like the one you have planned. I’ve always wanted a sink an.d folding space in a laundry space
Some of the observations I am going to make may not seem important right now, but I am 77 years old and beginning to face some of the “inconveniences”. We are planning a kitchen update and a Master bath remodel. The bath will be a complete remodel with emphasis on aging in place. We have began to make some changes already but it would have been better if some of them were done earlier.
Now,, I know you don’t need to consider age right now, but you have told us that this is your forever home. So I have a concern about the stacking the washer and dryer. I don’t think that using a step ladder for control access is a very safe option. But the, I am naturally a little clumsy so it might be okay for some. So, with everything you are doing, please give a thought to 20 or 30 years down the line. Maybe check out some of the Aging in Place articles (AARP Etc.) Hard to imagine, but I remember my 50’s. My mirror is now my worst enemy and I wonder how I got ‘elderly’ so quickly!
Oh, and I would love to have a single level home like yours.
Great idea to tape these off and walk around in them. Is it possible to put the washer and dryer further into the room and have the sink closer to the door?
I know it’s not a big deal but it is nice when I have to rinse paint brushes or come in with muddy hands to have the sink right inside the door. Also if you want to put a laundry basket underneath the dryer or have a load or two sorted in front of the washer, it’s not blocking the entrance into the room. Just food for thought.
I completely agree — this is good advice!
I’m wondering if there’s space to put the washer and dryer along the back wall (the one with the storage closet behind it) rather than the long wall, so there’s more room to stand in while getting clothes in and out of the machines. I agree having the sink near the door would be smart.
HI Kristie – I am wondering if you still love your new washer and dryer. I am in the market for a new set and have narrowed it down to two, one of them being the set that you purchased. Do you still love them and have you had any issues with odors in the door?
I absolutely LOVE them! I actually enjoy doing laundry now, and I’ve never enjoyed laundry before. 😀 I’m still amazed at how well the washer actually cleans. My towels have never been this clean before! I haven’t had any problem at all with odor, but once I finish the last load, I do turn on the cycle that dries out the washer to prevent odors.
Great idea to tape it off and see how it will work. The only suggestion I have is to use some bifold doors on both sides of the storage room. I’d get the widest ones possible just to make it easier to get everything in and out.
Bi fold doors will take away inches from the openings! They are a nightmare
I’m swooning over the laundry room with the walnut cabinets. Each picture has some but not all of what I’d want. A fold down drying rack for items to dry flat and a bar above the sink for drip dry items would be two musts. This probably gets into all the bells and whistles realm but I’ve seen step stools built into a narrow cabinet space that pull out and fold down. Another option is the pull down cabinet inserts that Rev-a-shelf and Kessebohmer have. I first saw them on a home makeover program for a disabled veteran. I added them because I had my kitchen uppers built to the ceiling for the extra storage and to eliminate cleaning above them. They make it easy to access everything. I would discourage you from stacking your appliances. As we age in place any overhead reaching and climbing should be avoided when we can. An easy project I have is labeled (whites, darks, colors and delicates) laundry baskets in a tall cupboard with rails that catch the lips of the baskets. It eliminates sorting and I can see at a glance when I have enough for a full load.
I agree with other comments that a step stool option would not be smart because of the safety risks! Even a low stool could be dangerous. This is your forever home and you have to think about that, not only for Matts limitations but what yours could be in the future.
You have A LOT of storage in the house already (so lucky) would some extra cabinets on the back wall along with the lowers be sufficient? Cabinets over the washer are pretty useless IMO (again, the dreaded step stool😬) really give some thought on how much storage you really might need in the laundry. Have you thought about a tip out clothes hamper in one of the lower cabinets?
The last time I had a person out to repair my washer they said not to stack the units. They actually charge extra to service those, since it takes two people to remove the unit on top.
You are one smart cookie.
Remember if you have counter tops over the washer and dryer, you will always need front loading machines. You might not like that some day in the future. I can’t see you needing stackables just to save room. Put them where you can easily use them. You will need an area for folding, a rod for hanging, and a sink, maybe a large one.
A closet for brooms, mops, vacuum cleaner, with shelves for laundry power, softener, furniture polish, etc. I listed what I have in my laundry closet.
You wish you luck.
I am sure you measured correctly but make sure when door is opened the washer and dryer will easily fit through the door. Also, allow plenty of room for a repair person to get behind it when it’s pulled out to make repairs. My space is so small the appliance would have to be removed from the room to work on it. I am sure your space will be fine.
Have you considered at all a washer/dryer combo machine? I had one while living in Belgium and loved how little space it took up. It would solve two concerns of yours: it would take less space in the room (so more counter space), and you wouldn’t need a step stool with the stacked option since it’s all one machine!
I’ve had one before, and I didn’t like it at all. It would never get my clothes completely dry. But I just bought a new washer and dryer, so I’m not in the market for a new one.
Where will the ironing board go?
Did you consider flipping the plan to the left side, as someone mentioned, for noise reduction in your bedroom. I’m sure if it is well insulated it might not matter, but if your on a slab, it would be impossible to change later. That is a brilliant idea laying it out on the floor so you get a real feel. I know you both are going to love the new rooms.
Another consideration for a stacked washer/dryer, will you be able to reach the back of the dryer to get clothes out?
Step stool – My sister-in-law fell about 2 hours ago after saying, “I’ll be fine.” Consider carefully if you want to use a stool anywhere!
You are giving me great ideas to work with. I looked at washer dryers and wondered how you are feeling about yours? Still love them? Any “wish you would haves”?
I love them! I’ve been so happy with them, and I’m still amazed at how clean the washer gets things. My towels have never been so clean! 😀
I love my stacking washer/ dryer. At 5’3″ it’s no problem for me to function. I don’t think you’d put the washing machine onto a plinth though if the machines are stacked. That would be awkward. I’d love the extra bench space. You’ll use it … and the room will feel more spacious.
For the storage room, I can’t tell if you are using 2 doors. It will make all the difference in terms of removing the chairs, as no ‘unpacking’ of that room will be necessary to reach items at the back. Good luck!
I’ve shrunk to 5’3″ so don’t want a stacked washer/dryer. I have cabinets over the machines and I have to use a step stool to get stuff off most shelves. But that’s less climbing than if I had to use one to get to a dryer.
Laundry rooms are dustier than most rooms because of the lint from the dryer. Would definitely recommend only closed storage.
I originally had upper cabinets over the sink and the drying rod over the washer/dryer. I’ve since reversed it with the cabinets over the washer/dryer and the rod over the sink cabinets. Because the washer/dryer are so deep it was harder to access the hanging rod over them.
Whatever you do, I’m sure it will be lovely.
Are you going to use picket doors? They are such space savers. I love this idea of drafting the layout in real space. Brilliant! I am short too. As you get older, a stacked washer dryer that needs a stepladder to access controls, can be a falling hazard. If this is your house for life, don’t stack IMHO.
Pocket doors, need an edit!
All of the doors in the addition will be pocket doors.
We converted a double bi-fold door closet in my elderly mothers house into a laundry area so that she doesn’t need to use the basement laundry. We installed cabinets above the apartment-size front-load washer and drier that are situated just above the appliance tops and as high as we could go without the cabinet doors hitting the door casement. I am only 5’2”, but I can reach all but the top shelf without a step stool. Because the appliances sit about 3”-4” from the wall, they don’t cover too much of the countertop. We can still fold clothes on there, although my mom prefers to fold them in the next room where she can sit and watch television.
Kristi, I am short too and would love a “drawer” I could pull out for a step so I can reach upper cabinets or shelves.
I haven’t read all the comments but my concern with the laundry room is that it isn’t venting on an outside wall. Mine has a 15+ foot run (it’s in the garage) and I’ve burned up at least 5 dryers in the 29 years we’ve been in this house. It greatly increases the risk of a fire. We have to clean our ductwork at least 4 times per year.
Such a great idea to tape out your new spaces! How exciting to see they’re going to work for you!
For the laundry room, if you put cabinets over the W/D, you could either bump them out so that accessing them so inset relative to the W/D and/or get extra deep ones… kind of like a deep cabinet over a fridge (<- there's some cool RevShelf inserts to make accessing those items easier)
(I'm thinking of how I have multiple 20" party/display trays and they're challenging to tuck away in regular cabinets)
I added a tube skylight to my interior windowless bathroom. It made the room seem bigger. I also added two solatube skylights to my hallway. Natural light in the laundry room can help you see stains.
My 2 cents as a fellow person who is vertically challenged: Don’t stack. I’ve never had stacked, but have used when traveling and it is so difficult to see inside them sometimes to ensure I’ve gotten all the socks and such out, and it can really be challenging to reach things stuck in the back. I don’t think the extra lower storage is worth that hassle.
I know I’m late to post this- but we redid our laundry in our previous home- stacking the washer and dryer was the best decision ever. They are two giant boxes and getting rid of one of them is tremendous space physically and visually. I’m also 5’0” and was able to reach the controls easily (large LG HE) . Maybe check out your exact measurements like you did on the floor, you may not mind it.
I recommend moving the family room storage closet door over so that it is directly opposite the master bedroom storage closet door. In the future that closet could evolve to store other items, e.g. cabinetry, shelving, or clothing rods along the side adjacent to the guest bathroom.