Special offer

Hot commodity for downsizers = main floor laundry

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Keller Williams Realty STL

Laundries can be added in small spaces with today's appliances and cabinets

Since many of the baby boomers are starting to think about downsizing, main floor master bedrooms and laundries have become a valuable amenity.  After exploring the possibilities that are available for the consumer, it becomes less of a challenge to find a space in an existing home that will accommodate a washer/dryer and create that utilitarian main floor laundry .

Therefore, if you are a seller with a one story house, consider adding a laundry to your home as an inexpensive project to enhance your sale.  Or, if you are a buyer with a main floor laundry on your wish list, don't necessarily think of the laundry as a room.  Envision instead a space that could easily be converted to accommodate this amenity.  Or even, if you are a homeowner who would like to age in place, take another look at your own home and explore feasible spaces for making it more age friendly.

Under counter washer/dryer combo


Here are some ideas that others have used that may help you as you explore the possibilities.

An under counter washer/dryer combination like the one pictured measures 23 5/8" width x 23 13/16" depth and 33 1/4" height and has a capacity of 2.44 cu ft. 


Under counter washer/dryer



In this mid century rehab the original metal cabinets were spray painted and the counter was extended beyond the cabinets.  The extra space was then used for a washer and dryer.   This was actually done prior to the advent of an all-in-one washer dryer unit which could fit under the counter and use half the space.





Laundry in Wrigleyville CondoLaundry in Wrigleyville Condo


My friend Steve Johnson of Atelier Inc designed this laundry for a 800 s.f. loft in Chicago's Wrigleyville.  Steve was challenged for space and decided to use up some wasted space in the front entry hall. A flat panel wooden door slides to the left revealing a Miele washer and dryer.  As you walk into the condo and past the wall, there is no indication of laundry.  The space is approximately 27" wide by 30" deep by 84" in height.  There is a  drawer at the bottom for laundry supplies.  The unit is installed next to the bathroom for easy access to plumbing.

Source: 
Steve Johnson, Atelier Inc









Closet laundry







Have an extra closet in that master bedroom? Voila, fill it up with a stackable washer/dryer.








Adding a main floor laundry is not an expensive project. It can be fun to explore the possibilities that are in many  existing homes. Selecting a space adjoining the kitchen or bath, keeps the plumbing costs down.  However, if you have a unfinished basement, it is also fairly easy to add plumbing.

Source:  Houzz.com

More furniture ideas for your laundry:  DigsDigs

 

Posted by

"Unique Needs/Unique Solutions. Respecting individuality."

Barbara Heise, Keller Williams Realty, STL.  

 

UniqueSolutions@barbaraheise.com


    

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