Coats or laundry cupboard in hall? WWYD?

[Pannacotta]

We have a long cupboard next to our stairs which I'd like to make better use of.

First option is to convert it into a cloakroom with rails/shelves/shoe racks and bung all coats/shoes/book bags/sports kit in there.
Something like this
www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1370280/start=52/thumbs/pannacotta-s-ideas

Other option is to make it into a utility cupboard with washer/drier side by side, worktop and shelves above as here
pinterest.com/pin/2251868533162950/

It's a good sized hall, with lovely panelled ceiling and arches but it looks dark and is messy, there is nowhere else in there to integrate storage.

At the moment our coats are on IKEA coat racks with shoe racks underneath and it looks a right mess.

The washer/drier could be moved upstairs and stacked, in a little loo which we dont use - we already have 3 other loos.

What do you think is a better use of space/more practical in a family house?

Both of those look great.
Where do you have your washer and drier at the moment?
I think the utility cupboard would be the best idea - almost looks like another room and would be a great selling point if you moved on.
We've had a coat cupboard built in with our recent building work and tbh, the coats still get left in the hall/slung over the stairpost and the shoes congregate just outside the cupboard .
So while I do have somewhere to tidy everything away but I'm the only one who seems to use it.

The washer/drier are in the same cupboard, but accessed from the kitchen.
We are closing off this doorway so we can fit a big table in the kitchen and creating doors from the hall.

I agree the utility cupboard is a good selling point.

Not so nice to have a hall which looks constantly like a jumble sale though!

Wish we had a nice porch with room for all outdoor gear before you come in...

Can you stack the washer and drier in the re-orientated cupboard and fit coat racks/boot shelf next to them?
Or will that look too busy?
Or build a porch!

I'd go for the coats/shoes cupboard. It's a more logical use for space by the front door. Laundry stuff upstairs makes much more sense as that's where dirty laundry is generated, and where it returns to once the laundry fairies have been .

I think coats and shoes need their own storage so the hall's not messy, so therefore I'd make it into coat/shoe storage and put the washing stuff upstairs as you have so many toilets already

WOuld like to combine both but would be too cramped I think. Though we coudl create two cupboards, side by side. I will have another look at the meaurements.

Cant build a porch though, we're in a conservation area. I do think they are a great invention, am amazed at how most houses have no storage for coats etc.

fresh yes I agree it does make sense to keep laundry things upstairs, it would save this laundry fairy a few trips up and down the stairs...

I'd go for the coats and shoes - IF you will be disciplined enough to actually put your coats etc there and not still use the "on display" hooks (you'd have to take them down!)

And then put the laundry machines in the spare upstairs loo.

Coat and shoe storage definitely. I would love to do that - I'm constantly irritated by coat and shoe mess in my own hall.

Coats and shoes. And turn the upstairs loo into an upstairs utility room. That's a big selling point IMO - is where most washing is generated after all and is much more labour efficient. Also, would you not just end up with a cupboard heaving with washing? Much better to keep laundry out of sight (we have a utility cellar which works that way, but obviously means a hell of a lot of lugging washing up and down stairs).

Our cellar has coats and shoes too though - but am about to buy old fashioned hat stand for one coat for each of us and umbrella.

minipie yes we would take doen the racks, maybe even re-use them in the cupboard.
We do have s set of hooks right next to the front door which we coudl use for visitors (and I can use if am popping in and out).

We have all wash baskets and drying racks in the landing and bedrooms so it woudl be easier to confine all laundry upstairs.

Hope the washer and drier wont wobble around too much upstairs. Must look into that. And flooring which will give some protection against leaks....

I would have coats downstairs and laundry room upstairs.

I'm very envious of your hall cupboard space.

Coats, shoes and school stuff down stairs. There's only 3 of us and I'm amazed at the amount of stuff we have. Ahhhhh to have a sleek tidy hall...

Washer dryer upstairs. If I could I would have the washer and dryer upstairs. Just think, most of what we wash ends up upstairs anyway. I carry it down from the bathroom, wash/dry the carry back upstairs to iron (occasionally) and put away.

Save yourback, arms and legs - have the washer/dryer upstairs.

The only reason I would go for that great laundry cupboard is if there was already another place for coats, bags, shoes etc that really works. If not, I'd focus on that - it'll make the most immediate difference.

Not sure if our family would ever be disciplined enough to use space behind a door though. I love the idea, but in reality, dh still dumps his bag on top of any available pile of clean laundry, despite having a dedicated bag cubby hole, waist height, no door, especially for him. I think I'm going to start chucking it out of the back door to try and get my feelings across in technicolour.

Wow - I've just been thinking about having a laundry room upstairs, all organised with a work top and wall storage a la Duggans. Sigh - bliss!

Sorry - not spamming you honest - just realised I meant Duggar not Duggan - apparently they have a system of wall baskets for sorting laundry then each person takes their own to fold and put away.

The utility cupboard looks lovely but I think you'd get annoyed about how often the doors are open and intrude into the room. And mine would just have loads of dirty washing piled up on top waiting to be washed minglingwith folded dry washing that never gets put away. Having washing machine upstairs would be fantastic except when wanting to carry washing down to hang outside?

They both look great! I'm dead that you have so much space!!

I have a fair sized porch btw which has shoe cabinets, coat rail with shelf above and a shoe rack beneath it and it gets used as a chuck it in spot storage area. I think you have to be anal to keep coats and shoes tidy and I'm not!! :)

Thanks all, interesting to hear your thoughts.

The only laundry I dry outside is sheets so that isnt too much of an issue.
Gentle you have a point re putting things behind doors (DH esp bad at this but DSs not great either), but am hoping the 4 hooks hehind the door will help, say if we need to pop in and out and no time to put sth away in the cupboard.

It is a big hall, but the row of coats and messy shoes underneath looks so scruffy and depressing I would be glad to get it all out of sight, even if its a bit inconvenient.
No doubt the cupboard woudl end up being a right mess, but at least its out of sight and not the first thing you see when you come home!

Washing machines and dryers are more of a fire risk than coats - would the laundry cupboard be very close to / under the stairs? If so then I vote coat cupboard!

Yes the washer/drier would be next to the stairs.
If they go upstairs they would be confined to a cupboard with a door and 2 external walls.

I'm a bit worried about leaks though. Does anyone know how you can make the floor a bit more waterproof than normal?

You could use Wedi board like they use under tiles in wetrooms and bathrooms.

Thanks fresh, I was aware of that but no idea what is was called...