Laundry Room Closet: Diy Guide

Building a closet in your laundry room can be a great way to save space and improve organisation. Whether you're working with a spare closet, a nook under the stairs, or a corner of your bedroom, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, evaluate the square footage available and decide whether you'll be stacking your washer and dryer or placing them side by side. This will impact the dimensions you need and the layout of your closet. Next, determine the electrical, gas, and venting requirements for your setup. Consult a professional for this step if necessary. Don't forget to include shelving and storage solutions in your design to keep your laundry essentials organised and within reach. Finally, consider adding a thick door to your closet to reduce noise and conceal any mess. With careful planning and execution, you can create a functional and stylish laundry closet that fits your space and lifestyle.

Evaluate square footage and lifestyle

When building a closet in a laundry room, it is important to evaluate the square footage and consider your lifestyle to ensure the space is functional and meets your needs. Here are some detailed instructions to help you through the process:

Evaluate Your Square Footage:

Firstly, you need to measure the available space in your laundry room. Consider the dimensions required for your washer and dryer, allowing for adequate clearance on all sides, including the rear, for proper ventilation and access. If you plan to stack them, you will need a space that is about 29 inches wide, 80 inches tall, and 32 to 34 inches deep. For a side-by-side setup, you will need approximately 56 inches of width. Don't forget to account for any additional height if you plan to use pedestals under your appliances.

Consider Your Lifestyle:

Think about the size of your household and the number of people you will be doing laundry for. If you have a large family, you may require more space for laundry baskets, detergents, and other supplies. Also, decide whether you want your washer and dryer side by side or stacked. Stacking them saves floor space but may require a stacking kit for safety.

Assess Your Storage Needs:

Consider what else you want to store in your laundry closet. Do you need shelves for detergents and other laundry supplies? Would you like a rod for hanging clothes? Perhaps you want to include a laundry basket or a mini-fridge. Planning for these additional items will help you maximize your space efficiently.

Plan for Accessibility:

Ensure your laundry closet is easily accessible for carrying laundry in and out. If your space allows, consider installing a countertop across the front-loading machines to create a convenient folding station. You can also add adjustable shelves to accommodate your family's changing needs.

Choose the Right Appliances:

When selecting your washer and dryer, opt for energy-efficient models with various wash options. Ventless electric dryers are ideal for small spaces, and front-loading washers generally use less water and have higher spin speeds, reducing drying times.

By carefully evaluating your square footage and considering your lifestyle, you can design a laundry closet that is functional and tailored to your specific needs.

Determine electrical, gas and venting needs

When building a closet for a laundry room, it is important to carefully determine the electrical, gas, and venting needs. This step is crucial to ensure the functionality and safety of your laundry closet. Here are some detailed instructions to help you through the process:

Electrical Needs:

• Decide on the type of dryer you will be using: gas or electric. Electric dryers typically require a dedicated 30 Amp, 4-Wire Circuit and a 240-volt utility outlet. Gas dryers, on the other hand, use a standard 120-volt electrical outlet but also need a gas line connection.
• Consult with a professional electrician to assess your current electrical setup and make any necessary upgrades or installations. This is especially important if you need to add electrical connections or ensure proper wiring for your laundry closet.
• If your laundry room doesn't have a window, you will need to install an exhaust fan along with a switch to maintain proper ventilation.
• Ensure that your laundry room lighting meets code requirements. All lighting must be fluorescent or provide a "manual-on occupancy sensor."

Gas Needs:

• If you opt for a gas dryer, you will need a licensed plumber or professional to install a gas line in your laundry space. This is a crucial step to ensure safe and proper gas connections.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector near your gas furnace and in your laundry room near the gas dryer. This safety measure is important because gas dryers expel carbon monoxide, which is odorless and colorless but can be harmful if allowed to accumulate.

Venting Needs:

• Vented dryers are the most common type and require a proper ventilation system. They use a hose to expel warm air outside, so ensure you have adequate space for the dryer vent and hose.
• Ventless dryers are easier to install as they don't require an external venting system. However, they usually take longer to dry clothes and require a larger upfront investment.
• If you choose a stackable washer and dryer setup, ensure proper ventilation by allowing 1-5 inches of space on the back and sides. Maintain at least 5 inches between the washer and the wall and at least 1 inch on each side.

Remember, when in doubt, always consult with a professional to ensure that your electrical, gas, and venting needs are met safely and effectively.

Install elevated storage

Elevated storage is a great way to keep your laundry room organised and safe, especially if you have young children or pets. Here are some tips to help you install elevated storage in your laundry room:

Planning

Before you start building, it's important to plan out your shelving unit. Measure the space you have available, especially the height and width. Consider the size of your laundry machines and how much space you will need for ventilation. Also, think about the items you want to store and choose shelf heights that will accommodate them.

Materials

When choosing your materials, consider the finish and cost. For example, Birch plywood has a smooth finish on both sides and costs around $70 a sheet. Poplar is another good option as it is durable, inexpensive, and easy to finish.

Construction

Once you have your materials, cut your plywood panels to size. If you have a panel saw, you can rip the plywood into narrower pieces to make them easier to transport and work with. Mark the locations of your shelves, keeping in mind the distance between the shelf nosing.

Installation

To install your shelves securely, you can use cleats. Construction adhesive is important to anchor cleats that don't cross at least two studs. Fasten the cleats with finish nails while the glue sets. If your cleats are not long enough to reach the wall studs, you can use vertical poplar cleats on both sides of the shelves to create a plywood box for added stability.

Finishing Touches

After installing your shelves, you can add a face frame to conceal the cleats and give your shelving unit a polished look. You can also install a baseboard to stabilise the unit and lock in the vertical panel.

By following these steps, you can create functional and safe elevated storage in your laundry room.

Choose a suitable door

There are many factors to consider when choosing a door for your laundry room closet. The first is space. If your laundry room is in a narrow hallway, for example, you will need to consider a door that doesn't open out and take up precious space. In this case, sliding doors or pocket doors are a good option. Sliding doors can also allow you to create a bigger laundry room, as you won't need to stack your washer and dryer to accommodate the door opening.

Another important consideration is ventilation. If you don't opt for a louvered door, you will need to ensure your laundry room has another form of ventilation to allow the heat and humidity created by your washer and dryer to escape.

If you want to conceal your laundry appliances, you could consider a cabinet door or a flat-panel door that blends in with the wall. For a unique design, you could even disguise your laundry room as a bookshelf!

For a stylish option, you could try a contemporary door with a black frame and transparent panels, or a vintage-inspired door with a frosted glass pane. If your laundry room is attached to another room, you might want a stylish way to block it off, like a handmade barn-style pocket door.

Finally, if your laundry room is in a closet or small space, a simple single-panel door in a colour that matches the walls will help the room blend in and not draw attention.

Add lighting

Adding lighting to your closet laundry will make doing laundry a more pleasant task. The best lighting will depend on the size of your laundry room and whether or not you have windows.

For smaller laundry rooms, recessed lighting is ideal. This will add a layer of ambient light, which is useful for spotting stains. If your laundry room is larger or doesn't have windows, recessed lighting can help balance the overall lighting design.

If you have extra space, you could also add a task lamp or accent light for added style and functionality.

The lightbulb colour temperature is also important. A crisp white light that is not too warm or cool is perfect for spotting stains while keeping your eyes comfortable.

Some lighting options that might work well include LED light strips, lights that turn on when the door is opened, or recessed lighting.

Frequently asked questions