utility space in bathroom

[ASillyPhaseIAmGoingThrough]

I am going to get an architect in soon. I am looking for some ideas.

The bathroom is in need of renovation, elderly previous owner, allergic to doing work. Bathroom has ancient wc, sink and double shower.

As part of extention plans, I want to increase from 1.68 x 1.75m by adding an extra 1.5m out.

I was thinking of putting in a cupboard with storage under to raise washing machine to .5m off ground, as I have a bad back. What else could I do with it?

Is there a pitfall I have not thought of?

Would the cupboard be full height? If so you could add a worktop above the washer for sorting washing/holding a wash basket. I'd then put shelves above to store detergent and spare loo rolls/towels etc.

If you google "laundry closet" (images) you will find loads of inspiration as lots of American homes have the washer/drier in a cupboard with storage above.

Some to get you started here
pinterest.com/search/?q=laundry+closet

Ta, yes full height. I will take a look.

My mil has a very large bathroom which my bil added a utility space to (shelving and cupboards) when she first moved there. There is also space for the wm and td. Plumbing was no problem given the existing bathroom pipes. The utility space is at the opposite end of the room to the loo/basin/bath so it works well.

HTH

www.buyspares.co.uk/universal-stacking-kit-with-slide-out-shelf/product.pl?pid=1212921

Stacking kit for putting dryer on top of washer, with slide out shelf. Very handy. If cupboard is floor to ceiling the rest of the space could be for loo rolls, bleach, cleaners, wash powder etc...

www.buyspares.co.uk/universal-stacking-kit-with-slide-out-shelf/product.pl?pid=1212921

Ooops

You can't have a power point in the bathroom to supply electricity to the washing machine. The power point has to be outside the bathroom as does the light switch.

Good point, I wonder how you could get around that. I will have a think.

you can have a power point in a bathroom, but it must be at least three metres horizontally from the footprint of any fixed bath or shower; or showering area, and must be suitable for the environment. Basins and WCs are not relevant to the measurement.

UK bathrooms are not usually big enough to achieve this. Anyway, if you wanted an appliance in a bathroom, it would be preferable to use a switched fused flex outlet with no plug or socket, to make it difficult for anyone to take their toaster into the bathroom.

BTW if anyone wants to look up Bathroom Zones, check that you are looking at the (current) 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations, and not an out-of-date version.

Oops, I meant 17th

The 18th is under preparation but not issued yet.

For Bathrooms, the clue to the 17th is that it does not include Zone 3 in bathrooms, which older versions used to specify.