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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the laundry room can be away from the kitchen!??

112 replies

Wishwashing · 17/02/2019 20:33

As it says really we are building a house, currently in the design stage. And I am adamant that I want the laundry room next to the main bathroom ( on the bedroom side of the house) BUT everyone keeps making faces like I’m insane and saying it needs to be up near the kitchen!! WHY would I carry my laundry to the kitchen side of the house to just bring it back again!! Tell me I’m not crazy!! It makes complete sense to me to keep it separate! There would be a door on the laundry with access to the garden too!

OP posts:
EhlanaOfElenia · 17/02/2019 21:57

Look at some Australian house designs, the laundry isn't usually next to the kitchen

I suspect the kitchen/utility room being side by side has developed in the UK because 2 up 2 down etc types of houses have bedrooms upstairs, and kitchen and lounge areas downstairs. So the utility is either carved out of the kitchen, or built alongside, for the plumbing.

It's also possibly that they are two 'working rooms' and if you're busy in the kitchen you can hear the washing machine finishing etc, do what you need there, and then go back to the kitchen and continue 'working'. Which is completely rubbish given that most people don't toil for hours in the kitchen anymore.

AliceRR · 17/02/2019 21:57

YABcompletelyR!

I was saying this to DH the other day. Laundry room should be upstairs near bedrooms / bathroom as we get dressed and undressed upstairs. We are moving to a new house and I was saying if we extend etc I would put laundry upstairs.

Why do we bring our laundry downstairs to wash and dry it and take it back upstairs again if there’s an option to have a laundry room upstairs??

My aunt lives in California and her laundry room was upstairs. Not sure if it is more common in the US

gingerbiscuits · 17/02/2019 21:57

Ours is upstairs next to bathrooms/bedrooms - it's perfect!

Notso · 17/02/2019 21:59

I don't think it would suit us.
I time the machine to finish just after I get up.
Lots of muddy hobbies and activities mean it's great to come straight in the utility room and put dirty clothes straight in the washing machine.
We never really use the dryer either, prefer clothes dried outside, we have a line under cover.
Last but not least I can't iron without TV and we only have a TV downstairs!

GregoryPeckingDuck · 17/02/2019 21:59

Oh and I know a builder who has his laundry room on the top floor. He has a concrete dropped floor. You can’t hear anything and it’s nit a problem if the washing machine overflows.

woodhill · 17/02/2019 22:00

Do you not want to put your washing outside, on the line.

IAmNotAWitch · 17/02/2019 22:01

I have never really understood washing machines in kitchens. I understand that many houses in the UK are small (compared to Oz/US) and there isn't enough space for a laundry but why in the kitchen and not the bathroom?

Bizarre.

Original poster
Wishwashing · 17/02/2019 22:01

@woodhill yes that is why the laundry room would have a door that leads directly to the garden.

OP posts:
woodhill · 17/02/2019 22:02

Sounds good then

BackforGood · 17/02/2019 22:17

The only downside I can think is the noise, unless you always do all your washing when no-one is in bed ?

00100001 · 17/02/2019 22:20

I need a diagram.

Can't see why they're fussing

iknowimcoming · 17/02/2019 22:45

We've recently moved into a house we designed ourselves - my laundry room is upstairs, has room for ironing board and my sewing machine and it's got a tv for when I iron - it's fabulous and I've never been so on top of the washing - it's a total game changer

littlebillie · 17/02/2019 22:49

Sounds very sensible

littlebillie · 17/02/2019 22:51

I think the only issue is having a washing machine when it can create. Noise

TitsAndTomatoes · 17/02/2019 22:54

Dearest OP.

You, my friend. Are a fucking genius. I have no idea why ive never thought of this. Its brill. I have an airing cupboard next to my bathroom that has zero use for us.
I may float this idea to my DH and see what he says.

Original poster
Wishwashing · 17/02/2019 22:58

@TitsAndTomatoes you are so welcome!!! Go for it!!! It makes soooo much sense to me!!

OP posts:
Mother87 · 17/02/2019 23:05

Another one here... our washer & dryer are upstairs in a small room with good ventilation/big laundry basket & lots of deep shelves for bedding & other domestic-chore stuff... made sense to me a long time ago & works like a dream...

MyOtherProfile · 17/02/2019 23:05

Best lay dry set up I ever had was in a house with a massive bathroom upstairs. We kept the washer and ironing board in there and it had one of those old fashioned wooden drying racks hanging from the ceiling. Made so much sense.

DerelictWreck · 17/02/2019 23:17

My washer and dryer are in my bathroom, in a bespoke full length unit that matches the other fitted pieces. Works perfectly for me and they're hidden away so neatly. Plus hamper etc is in there and Airers in the spare room, so no distance to cart heavy baskets!

IAmNotAWitch · 18/02/2019 03:45

I have often thought what I need is a large upstairs room where all of the clothes and bedding is kept for the whole family with bathrooms close by, a patio with a line and the washing machine/dryer/ironing board and folding area all in one place.

When I am rich I shall have this. Or possibly a laundry for each bedroom/bathroom. No more schlepping up and down stairs with washing.

KC225 · 18/02/2019 07:09

Our washer and dryer is upstairs side corridor of the main landing. Its opposite the bathroom which is super convenient. We built the washer dryer into a small frame about five centimetres high from the floor and lined it with fibre glass stuff you repair boats with ....... Just in case of any leaks. Noise is an issue but do majority of washing during the day or early morning. Of your house is warm, do get a pulley maid. I barley use my tumble dryer.

Vitorianpulleymaid.co.uk

Damntheman · 18/02/2019 07:41

I time the machine to finish just after I get up Don't do this Notso! Running a washing machine (or dishwasher) when you're asleep or out is a massive fire hazard.

My washing machine is in my main bathroom. They're all like this here (Norway), unless one has space for a laundry room seperate. Makes sense really! Floor is already designed for getting wet (tile), drains already in place as well as plumbing.

OP your detractors are nuts! Your idea sounds fabulous.

brookshelley · 18/02/2019 07:47

Ours is in a utility room near the bedroom, the house was designed for the washer to go there instead of in the kitchen and it was a main appeal of the house for us! When I moved to the UK I found the placement of the washer in the kitchen totally baffling.

generalexpert · 18/02/2019 08:00

I'm currently living in Italy and all the apartments have the washing machine in the bathroom.

Initially I thought it was daft, but having lived with it, it is a great idea.

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 18/02/2019 08:13

I think it sounds great.
I get irritated carrying dirty stuff downstairs then carrying clean back up.

We looked at a house with a laundry chute from stairs bathroom to basement laundry. I SO wanted that house!