Streamlined systems and clever placement certainly make chores easier. Often, laundry can be a weak link and end up being more time-consuming than needed.
Where you place your washer/dryer is key to keeping this household task moving as efficiently as possible. We look at the best places you can keep yours, depending on your layout and the space available.
Whether you do laundry every day or a few times a week, a well-organized space is paramount to make laundry easier. Here, we talk to experts who've remodelled houses and have put washing machines in all types of rooms in the house for their top seven spots.
1. In the laundry room
A dedicated laundry room, if you have the space, is our experts' top pick and the most common.
Professional organizer Marie Potter says it's definitely her preferred place, 'The best laundry room setup I’ve ever seen is the one I designed in my own home.'
Marie has her washer and dryer side by side, each raised approximately 30 inches off the floor.
'It's the model I recommend to clients who are in a position to design their own laundry space. It's all about ergonomics, saving time and conserving energy,' she adds.
For ease, adjust the height based on your washer and your body to eliminate bending.
'The washer is on the left and the dryer is on the right, with the doors opening away from each other (washer door swings left, dryer door swings right). This allows you to transfer clothes in a simple left-to-right motion, reducing strain on your back and streamlining the process,' Marie advises.
One of Marie's other top laundry hacks is to have color-coded laundry wash bags. She explains, 'Have each member of the household pre-separate socks and underwear as they take them off and before they hit the washer, which saves loads of time sorting and prevents lost sock syndrome.'
The Solved team has tried out the Joseph Joseph three-section laundry organizer, available at Amazon, and found it saved lots of time as the dirty laundry sorts itself as you go.
Recommended by pro organizer Marie, these strong nylon mesh bags come in six colors, so there should be enough for each member of the family. The drawstring lock will prevent the items from falling out mid-wash, and it can be used for delicate items that need extra protection during cycles.
2. In the hall closet
This can be an entryway closet or an upstairs hall closet, depending on whether your home is one floor or many.
'For one of my most recent flip jobs, I relocated a washer from a small, cluttered basement space to a re-purposed coat closet near the main hallway,' says Carter Crowley, president and owner of CB Home Solutions.
The hallway was near three bedrooms in the middle of the house, Carter continues, 'The owners who bought the house said that they spent 40% less time doing weekly laundry chores than they had in their last house, where the washer was situated in the garage. I put custom shelving over the unit for detergent storage and included a fold-down countertop that served as a sorting station.'
Look out for clever storage solutions for your laundry room to help keep you organized.
Pop this stylish utility shelf above your washer or dryer so you can use it for folding clean clothes or for detergents and dryer sheets. It stops you from using the top of the washer for storage, an area experts say you shouldn't use for home storage.
3. Walk-in closet
If you have a large walk-in closet, that can be a perfect spot for a washer.
Kelly Otero, owner and principal designer at Ovation Interior Design explains, 'Oftentimes, there is not just one laundry space, but two in the home. With the primary suite often located on the first floor, clients are looking to integrate their washer/dryer into their walk-in closet for close access – these are often stackable units and space savers.'
'In smaller homes or apartments, I’ve worked with people who got really creative with closet space,' says Eric Bramlett, realtor and owner of Bramlett Real Estate. 'A narrow closet can fit a stacked washer and dryer surprisingly well. Add a folding door or even a set of curtains, and you’ve got a clean, hidden setup that doesn’t steal from your main area.'
This clever double countertop is designed to fit across standard front-load washer and dryer sets. It creates a place for you to fold laundry and iron. The anti-vibration pads help to reduce noise and movement, ensuring sound is kept to a minimum.
Vertical storage is key in a laundry space and you'll wonder why you never came across this clever movable laundry sorter before. With three tiers, you can easily separate clothes and move it around without strain. The wheels are lockable too which is a great feature. Available in beige and gray too.
A clever rack that completely utilizes the vertical space above your washer. It comes with a metal rod to dry clothes on, plus shelving that can be used to store all of your laundry room essentials. Leveling feet allow for uneven flooring.
4. A multi-functional space
In many homes, the washer can be housed in a space that has multiple uses. Kelly explains, 'Clients are not always looking to dedicate a full room to laundry but see it is as part of family life and want easy access that is multi-purpose, this tends to be more of a multi-use room that is a shared craft space, office space or even part of a decluttered mudroom.'
Having one space that serves laundry, coat, and boot storage, and possibly even acts as the pantry as well, can make good use of limited space, too.
Eric agrees, adding that we often overlook how well our spaces can be utilized, 'A powder room, a sunroom no one uses, or even a corner of a large bedroom can all be redesigned to handle laundry without being an eyesore.
'I recently helped someone turn part of their guest room into a combo laundry and storage zone, and it worked beautifully. We added sleek cabinetry, soft lighting, and folding doors that kept the washer and dryer out of view.'
Pop this handy two-section laundry hamper from Walmart on your shopping list; it has two pull-out bags for keeping washes separate.
5. En-suite bathroom
Generally speaking, you don't need a huge space for your washer and dryer, which is why Meghan Cocchiaro, founder and lead organizer of Organized by Meg, suggests an en-suite.
'I would place a washing machine off the primary bedroom if not in the en suite bathroom. I have seen this in many clients' homes, and they love it because it is so convenient for washing and putting away clothes quickly. If it's not right off the primary bedroom, it is on the main upper floor where all the bedrooms are, inside of a closet or a small room that is converted into a laundry or utility room.'
When space is tight, invest in magnetic shelves from Amazon that are designed specifically for the side of your appliance.
6. In the garage
The garage is usually the first option people think about – and for good reason, according to Eric. 'There’s space, it’s tucked away, and with a little effort, you can keep it organised and even stylish. I’ve helped families turn one side of a garage into a clean, efficient laundry zone with cabinets, drying racks, and enough counter space to fold clothes without feeling like you’re doing chores in a storage shed.'
It also pays to organize your laundry room as soon as possible so that anything that could potentially make clean clothes grubby is tucked out of the way. The other consideration is that the garage may not be temperature-controlled like the rest of your house.
'Make sure you deal with temperature swings,' advises Eric. 'Insulating your garage door and using enclosed cabinets keeps it comfortable and protects your machines from wear.'
Amazon's Madesa hazel wall storage cupboard is a great choice for keeping laundry supplies clean and dry.
7. In the kitchen
Washer/dryers in the kitchen is a common occurrence in European countries, and something that's starting to be adopted in the US if space is tight.
'The kitchen is another space where you can hide laundry if needed,' Erik suggests. 'With some thoughtful cabinetry and a good design plan, it’s possible to install compact machines in a way that blends into your existing kitchen look. A well-designed sliding door or cabinet front can keep it subtle.'
Meet the experts
So there you have it. Seven great spots you can place your washer and dryer to help streamline this endless household chore.
Once you've got your space running smoothly, the next thing is to learn laundry tips from pros so your laundry looks fabulous every time it comes out of your machine.
