Laundry Room Cost Guides

The most common desire for a laundry room, however, is an entire utility room devoted entirely to the purpose of washing and drying clothes. While a luxury, this has several advantages.

• Flooring in the room can be chosen specifically for utility, making it less likely to be damaged if water or cleaning chemicals splash onto it.
• There are plenty of storage options for chemicals that need to be kept up, away from kids and pets.
• There's space for folding, storing, and even ironing laundry.

Wherever you decide to put your laundry room, make sure you ask yourself a few key questions.

1. Is it convenient? You'll be more likely to put laundry off the longer you have to travel in order to haul you clothes to the washer and dryer.
2. Does the area where you want to keep your washer and dryer already have the hookups you need for water, a dryer vent, and electricity? Will you be able to move those items easily?
3. How much space do you want to dedicate to the room?
4. Do you intend to use your laundry room for another purpose? Using the room as a pantry, for storage or as a mudroom may add additional space considerations.

Water

Your washer needs a hot water line, a cold water line, and a drain. These three items are critical to installing and running your washer. Each line will need a washing machine cutoff valve, which run between $10 and $30 each. In addition to these vital parts, however, there are other water concerns that may dictate what you're able to do in your laundry room.

Your Utility Sink

Installing a utility sink is a great way to make more out of your space. A utility sink is perfect for:

• Washing off items that you don't want to wash in your kitchen or bathroom sinks.
• Scrubbing away stubborn stains.
• Filling up watering cans, buckets, and other large items that don't fit well in the kitchen or bathroom sinks.

If you install a utility sink, you have several options that range from around $50 to $200 and up. If you want function alone, the $50 sink will suffice. A more elegant approach, on the other hand, will require a more expensive sink. The utility sink will also need its own plumbing hookups.

Leak-Stopping Extras

Leaks in and around the washing machine account for a huge number of home floods each year. By installing a few additional pieces to help prevent leaks, however, you can make it less likely that your washing machine will end up causing damage to the floors, walls, and other areas of your home. You need:

• An automatic shutoff valve that is able to detect leaks or burst hoses ($15) and
• A drain pan to place beneath the washer that will catch minor leaks and drips, protecting your floor ($30).

With these items, even if your washing machine does spring a leak mid-cycle, damage should be minimal.

Electric

Installing a washer and dryer isn't as simple as plugging them into existing outlets. If you're using an electric dryer, you'll need a dedicated 30 Amp 4-Wire Circuit for plugging in your dryer. Make sure that you check your existing dryer plug before deciding what you need: some dryers are 3-prong, while others are 4-prong. Changing out the outlet is an option if yours doesn't fit.

There are also several other key areas of electrical importance when it comes to your laundry room.

Other Outlets

If you're taking care of all of your processes inside the laundry room, you need to make sure that you have adequate outlets for your needs. You need an outlet for your iron and one that will allow you to plug in your vacuum cleaner in case of spills.

Lighting

Old-fashioned laundry rooms might have been lit by a single bare bulb, but that's not what you're looking for in your room! Choose bright lighting that will enable you to see any stains or other issues with your clothing.

Appliances

When choosing your washer and dryer, there are several considerations you'll need to think about up front. First, check your available space. If you're moving your laundry room, you want to make sure that your existing appliances fit! Next, take a look at your budget. When it comes to your washer and dryer, you have plenty of choices in a variety of prices.

Washer and Dryer Prices

• Basic: A basic washer with only the necessary cycles, an average-sized tub, and no additional features starts at around $275 and runs to around $450, depending on the brand. These basic models don't come with fancy bells and whistles, but they'll certainly keep your clothes clean! The matching dryer that goes with the set will cost around the same amount.
• Mid-range: Somewhere in the middle, you'll find appliances that offer additional wash cycles to help customize your needs, fabric softener and bleach dispensers to keep your load running more smoothly even without your input, and stainless steel tubs. These appliances cost an average of $650 for both the washer and the dryer that goes along with it.
• High-end: Expensive top-loading machines don't just offer more cycle options and larger tubs. They also offer agitator-less washing technology, allowing you to clean your clothing without the wear and tear of an agitator. These appliances start at $800 and can go up to $1,300 or more.

Other Appliance Considerations

Before you decide on the washer and dryer that are perfect for you, make sure you ask yourself a few key questions about the design and function of your machine. For example:

• How deep is the machine? This is particularly important for shorter individuals, who may struggle to reach the bottom of some larger models.
• Do you want a top loader or a front loader? Take some time to research the pros and cons of each.
• How important is quiet in your washer and dryer cycles? If the washer and dryer are in a high-traffic area of your home, you may want quieter machines.
• Are you comfortable bending down to get laundry in and out of a machine? If not, using a pedestal can position your front loading machine at a more comfortable level. On average, a pedestal will run between $150-$300.
• What size will fit your room appropriately? If you're purchasing new models, keep in mind that they'll need 1 inch all the way around to allow for air circulation.
• Is an agitator an important feature for your washer? Many consumers who deal with higher than usual levels of dirt or soil--a child who plays sports; an infant in the home; a person who works outside on a regular basis--find that a washer without an agitator is not adequate to keeping their clothing clean.
• Do you want an electric or gas dryer? There are subtle differences between gas & electric laundry machines. While you can just plug an electric one in, you will need gas piping installed for the other kind. Make sure to consider these costs.

Storage Options

Your laundry room is the perfect place to store a variety of items. Depending on the size, you may have many options for putting in additional storage.

Fold-Out Tables

If you want to be able to fold clothes on a convenient table, but don't want the table out, taking up space all the time, a fold-out table is the perfect option. Folding tables run an average of $140-$200.

Cabinets

Adding wall cabinets or a pantry to your laundry room is a great way to maximize storage space. Cabinets have a wide range of prices, with small, basic models running about $150-$200 and larger, fancier constructions costing as much as $1,000 or more.

Shelf Space

If you aren't concerned with shutting away the clutter behind cabinet doors, adding shelves to your laundry room is a great way to keep items close at hand, yet tidy and out of the way. Shelves above the washer and dryer can start as low as $15, depending on your needs.

Ideas and Inspiration

What do you want your laundry room to look like? The more you're able to visualize your ideal room in your head, the more likely you are to choose the pieces that most fit with your goals. Some of these ideas might help you get a great start!

• A simple, basic laundry room design lines up the washer and dryer side-by-side with cabinets above and a pole for hanging items that need to hang dry. This classic laundry room design wouldn't be out of place tucked anywhere in your home!
• This laundry room could be short on space if everything was left out all the time. Instead, a fold-out ironing board and recessed bench make the most of the available space. Tucking laundry baskets into the cabinets so that they can be pulled out as needed is another great way to maximize your laundry room space.
• What most laundry rooms need most is the perfect place to put clothes as they're hung up or folded, but before they go back to dressers and closets. This corner for folded and hanging clothes is the perfect way to keep baskets neat and tidy in your laundry room.
• This laundry room combines function with beauty. Cabinets in every available area of wall space meet a front-loading washer and dryer to allow space for folding on top of the set.

Conclusion

No matter what design you're considering for your laundry room, there are plenty of options out there. Many ideas are designed to allow for plenty of function in a very small space, allowing you to make the most of every inch of space within your room.