The Basics of Utility Room Design and Choosing the Best Washer & Dryer
In terms of design, the utility room of a home is typically more functional than stylish. But it’s still important to pay attention to this room’s layout and features to help you be as productive and efficient with household chores. In this article, we’re looking at the basics of utility room design, as well as how to choose the best washer and dryer for your laundry room and where to find the best utility room supplies.
Utility Room Design Considerations
If you are designing a new home, you may want to place the utility room in the basement to avoid noise disturbances, prevent excess humidity, and to offset the damage of a potential hose break. However, many other homes have the utility room by the master suite or by the back door. But wherever yours is located, the utility room layout should ultimately save you time and effort with laundry and cleaning work.
Divide the room into wet and dry zones to streamline your plumbing lines and arrange similar tasks together. Leave some space for folding clothes if your utility room is large enough, and also leave space for hanging up clothes that you prefer to air dry. A built-in ironing board can help you save space, good lighting can help you work better, and fun wallpaper or a colorful backsplash can elevate your mood to make laundry tasks less burdensome.
Washer and Dryer Features
To start, take some measurements of your utility room to determine the size of laundry machines that will fit in your space. Keep in mind that washers need hot and cold water lines, as well as drains, and that dryers usually require 120-volt circuits. Also, make sure to allow enough room between he machines and walls so that you can comfortably walk through the room.
Washer features to look for include sound-dampening machines, large-capacity models for bulky items, and energy efficiency models that use less water. Depending on your needs, you can choose a washer with steam cycle or delay wash features, as well as dryers with motion sensors, express dry, and steam refresh features. Other dryer considerations include the type of dryer hookup your home has, settings designed to smooth wrinkles and reduce odors, and energy efficiency as well.
Top Loading vs. Front Loading
The two most common types of washing machines are top-loaders and front-loaders. Front-loading machines have longer wash cycles but tend to be more energy efficient, and they have faster spin cycles that reduce drying time. Meanwhile, top-loaders are typically lighter in weight, have a larger capacity, and are cheaper. If you have a front-loading appliance, you can use the top of it to fold clothes instead of putting in a countertop.
Horizontal vs. Vertical Layout
Another key consideration is whether you place your laundry machines on top of each other or side-by-side. Stackable washers save space in small utility rooms and typically run quieter than machines that sit next to each other. However, a horizonal laundry machine layout often offers greater load capacity and makes laundry machines more accessible for people with disabilities.
Other Utility Room Needs
In addition to washers and dryers, another important part of the utility room is the sink. Central Plumbing Specialties offers many options of sinks and faucets for you to choose from to complete the look and functionality of your utility room. For example, you can choose a top-mount sink or an under-mount sink that is made of stainless steel, fire clay, or vitreous china. We offer deck-mount faucets with single handles, two handles, exposed bridges, and that are made of chrome, nickel, and stainless steel. Meanwhile, our wall-mount faucets come with similar options to match the sink of your choice. Stop by one of our showrooms to browse utility room supplies and take the first step to renovating your utility room.