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While some people dread doing laundry , it is in reality Americans ’ favorite household cleanup task , accord to theAmerican Cleaning Institute . Some of that favorability might depend on the placement of the laundry room in a dwelling house . Choosing the ideal spot can affect the experience of getting laundry done , such as how commodious , easily approachable , and drug user - friendly the task is .
raw research demonstrate preferences for the best location for a laundry elbow room , but there is a bit of a gulf between what various sight have found and what the experts we talk to choose for their clients . memorise more about this fresh research , what experts are check on the ground , and the pros and bunko game of laundry room location so you’re able to settle what works well for you , if you are purchasing a new home or considering alaundry room remodel project .
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Builders and buyers agree on the first floor as best for the laundry room, with some variation.
Most ( 72 percent ) of the homes built in 2023 had laundry room on the first floor , consort to the U.S. Census Bureau ’s newSurvey of Construction . Just over 25 percent of new homes feature laundry room on the 2d floor , and less than 1 percent had laundry rooms located in the garage , basement , or other spot .
However , the National Association of Home Builders’What Home Buyers Really Wantreport paint a somewhat dissimilar picture . Sixty pct of the home buyers survey said they choose their laundry way on the first flooring , while only 7 percentage like to do wash on the second floor of their home . The cellar was the 2nd most popular option at 17 percent and the garage was third on the list at 15 pct .
This comparison highlights a slight gulf between what builders are offering and what buyers need . While builder are largely designing laundry room on the first story , many buyers choose their laundry elbow room in the basement or garage . Yet , many of the real the three estates and home invention expert we mouth to highlighted the benefits of laundry room on the 2d floor .
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Personal preference might matter more than the research indicates.
The most convenient and efficacious laundry elbow room localization depends on the specific needs of the homeowner , says Ryan Fitzgerald , real land expert and proprietor ofRaleigh Realtyin Cary , North Carolina . “ I conceive the good emplacement for a laundry room is one that meet seamlessly into the householder ’s day-to-day function . As a realtor , I always apprise my clients to think about their lifestyle and casual habit when ca-ca this conclusion . It ’s not just about convenience ; it ’s about create a abode that works efficiently for them , ” say Fitzgerald .
There are also regional difference of opinion regarding the best spot for a laundry room . According to the Census survey , the first floor was the most rife across every geographic location but range from 91 percent in the west - south cardinal area of the country to 59 percent in the South Atlantic region .
2nd - storey laundry room were most common in the Pacific region at 43 pct but were least democratic in the west - south key realm at 8 percent . The west - north primal area of the land had the highest share of place with the laundry way in the basement , at 13 pct . None of the region had more than 2 percent of homes with laundry rooms locate in the garage .
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Some make the case for first-floor laundry rooms.
Based on his extensive experience work with node , Fitzgerald has found that a first - trading floor laundry room often walk out the good equilibrium between wash room and functionality . “ In my legal opinion , a first - floor washing elbow room offers several advantages , ” he says . “ I ’ve noticed that it allows homeowners to multitask more effectively . They can throw in a load of laundry while preparing dinner or keeping an eye on the kid . It ’s also well approachable without stimulate to climb stairs , which is a significant welfare for old homeowner or those with mobility issues , ” he aver .
A laundry room on the first floor can be more desirable and hardheaded for those with an fighting outdoor lifestyle , says Suzy Minken , a realtor withCompassin Short Hills , New Jersey . “ Clothes that are dingy would be best put into the laundry room as promptly as potential , ” she says . “ likewise , if clothes are wet because of the rain or snowfall , most homeowners would want them expedited to the washing room . And for all the gardeners , hikers , and pool / beach goers , a first - floor washing room may be preferable , ” she adds .
The honest spots for first - storey washables room are in the mudroom and in or next to the kitchen . place mudrooms by the chief introduction or service department is agreat mind for a companion laundry roomsince they are the complete seat to drop off wet and dirty wearable before tracking soil and grunge into the home .
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place the washing machine and dryer either inside the kitchen , such as bydesigning a combo pantry / laundry way , or next to the kitchen is extremely convenient . This set aside easy drop curtain - off of kitchen towels and linens for washing and help occupant multitask , such as doing washing while cooking dinner or while sit down to a meal .
Second-floor laundry rooms might be a better option for some lifestyles.
Placing laundry rooms on the second floor near the sleeping room makes doing this job much easier since family appendage store the mass of dirty washing upstairs in their chamber . Donna Roses , home organiser atDonna Declutter LLCin Santa Rosa , California . , advocate have “ laundry rooms on the same floor as the bedrooms , especially in a split up - stratum home , so occupant do n’t have to persuade scads of laundry up and down several flight of stairs . ” There might be a closet on the 2nd floor , for example , to rick into a laundry way .
As an experient belongings manager , Daniel Rivera withProactive Property Managementin New Jersey has encounter the most convenient and efficacious place for a laundry room is on the same horizontal surface as the bedrooms . “ In my experience managing properties , homes with laundry elbow room on the sleeping accommodation spirit level have higher tenant gratification and retention rates . For example , one landlord node had a 5 - percentage gamey replacement charge per unit after we evoke move the washables from the cellar to the 2nd flooring where the bedchamber were located , ” he enunciate .
There are a few fundamental points to keep in mind with second - story laundry rooms . “ Laundry room on upper levels do require right ventilation and moisture ascendency to preclude damage , ” read Rivera . Anyone considering restoration to relocate the laundry elbow room to the second floor will need to have novel washer and dryer hookups and pipes installed , which can get pricey . Also , Roses warn , “ if someone likes to do laundry at nighttime , they might choose to have the machine farther forth from their sleeping spaces so they do n’t pick up the haphazardness . ”
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Consider other options.
Some experts conceive that two laundry room are practiced than one for bombastic homes . “ The idealistic situation is to have two laundry rooms — one on the dwell floor and one on the sleeping floor , ” say Diana Melichar , designer and prexy ofMelichar Architectsin Lake Forest , Illinois . “ That ’s a true luxury . Then messy outside items can be clean near their point of entry into the house and bedding and everyday vesture can be launder near their source and handily relocate in bedchamber closets and beds , ” say Melichar .
As revealed in the study findings , some the great unwashed like to do laundry in the basement so it ’s away from the chief living space . However , it can be dispute to carry heavy hoop full of washables up and down steps to and from the cellar . Also , laundry can get musty if left in a dark , moist cellar .
Some homeowners might opt to locate their washing machine and drier in the service department to keep laundry completely out of the animation space . It aid derogate noise while machines run , but garages tend to be foul and smelly from fomite fumes , which could terminate up tainting clean clothes . Also , look on where you live , it could get hot , humid , or chilly in the service department , crap it uncomfortable to rinse and close down laundry in that space .
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