Utility

[Earlybird00]

I have an unfinished very small utility with a tumble dryer and washing machine side by side. Enough space for an ironing board propped beside the dryer. Currently the microwave and iron are also on top of the dryer. It is vented out at the top of the utility. Considering stacking the appliances to leave more space beside for bits like hoover and mop bucket. Any suggestions or pictures?

This is the utility space picture. I have looked on pinterest for stacked appliances but they seem like they are in cupboard spaces. Wondering how shelves would work beside the appliances. Any suggestions?

you can buy a "stacking shelf" they're about £30-40 which is what we have done - they are not in a cupboard. I can't seem to see your photo are they they same make as it will be easier to stack them. if not then you need to ensure the foot of the dryer is smaller than the one of the washing machine.

You also need to stack the dryer above the washing machine

It is a pain trying to reach the dryer (esp if you are barely 5ft like I am!) and be bending up and down to transfer it from one to the other. I would add shelves over the top of them running the full width of the wall.

I'd also add hooks to the two side walls to hang up your mop, broom, dustpan and brush, ironing board etc. You can place your mop bucket on a shelf. I'd have different height shelves - bottom one about 50cm in height so you can store your laundry baskets, maybe a basket of iron, your mop bucket and wash liquids, then other ones as you wish depending on what you have to store.

Yes you'd have the same floor space to store your vacuum cleaner however I think it would make more use of the space and be easier.

Do you need a tumble dryer and a washing machine? You could sell both and get a washer dryer.

Then I'd get a tall cupboard and some worktop. The tall cupboard can house the ironing board, mop, brush, iron etc and the worktop for the microwave

I'd put a work top across both the washing machine and the dryer- finishing short so that the ironing board still slots in - then add an open shelf, wall bracket for the microwave and then have further shelves/ cupboards above that.

Definitely a stacking kit, don't go for a washer dryer, they are really inefficient. You can then have shelves / a cupboard built above your dryer (dryer always on top, WM on bottom) for stuff you don't use very often.

Depending on what you need, you could have a normal kitchen unit with shelves / deep drawers, and a counter top above it, or a full sized cupboard (i.e. to ceiling) for hoover / ironing board etc. Provided there is sufficient space around it for ventilation, you can also have a microwave in the cupboard. If you go with the previous option of a normal sized kitchen unit you can get special wall fixings for a microwave so its off the counter top (on a wall bracket) so you can still use the counterspace.

Agree, we have a work top across ours so you could put mw on there. Or wall mount the mw and storage bracket for ironing board. It may be tricky to get a stacking unit for wm/dryer unless your appliances are same brand.

I’d put a worktop across there, so you have more folding space. I’d get wall cabinets across the top, loads of storage, get the microwave fitted in

We recently moved our washer and dryer out of the house and into the garage. We have washer underneath a worktop and the dryer standing on top. I have a sink next to it and 2 wall cupboards weighed side and another base cupboard alongside. It's brilliant as the Soave we had before was tiny and this has now freed it up for our dogs to sleep in there . I have a Sheila maid hanging from the ceiling for drying on wet days too. The worktop holds all my stuff including baskets.

It's very untidy but out of the way

Do you need a tumble dryer and a washing machine? You could sell both and get a washer dryer.

Do not do this. Combined machines are awful. In your position, I'd consider putting the dryer and w/m on a low shelf/thing with storage underneath as well. You're not bending as much to move clothes from one to the other. Bit like this.

Thank for your suggestions. I had a washer dryer before and not a fan although I do only use the dryer in the winter months but not ready to get rid of it yet. You have to close the utility door to access the dryer at the moment as very little space to reach. The builder put a radiator on one of the solid walls which I would have preferred to hang my ironing board on! The other empty wall is a stud wall so won't take much weight. The appliances are different brands but the washing machine is bigger so I am leaning towards stacking them to optimise space. I already have steps for high cupboards so not too worried about height problems. Anyway lots of ideas thanks

I'd also put a length of worktop across, wall mount the microwave and have some wall shelves (or cupboards).

Ironing boards are fairly light, I'd think you could hang one on a stud wall with the right fittings. Mine just hangs on the back of a door.
Agree on hooks for brushes etc on the wall, you could even have a couple of hooks under the space between or at the side of the two machines for a dustpan and brush.
I'd have the 2 machines right up against each other and tight against 1 wall, then more of a space to the other wall.

If you are going to stack them, consider rotating 90°, so there is nothing in front of you when you go into the room. That way you go in, turn 90° to the machines and have plenty of room to load etc, you won't have to shut the main door to access.

You can then have the other things stored along the wall next to them, behind where the door opens so it's all hidden.
You could consider a full height slim depth cupboard here (wall cupboard depth).
Definitely see if you can put an ironing board holder of the back of the utility door, you'd never see it there.

I was going to suggest ironing board and iron on back of utility room door. That's what we have, means it's just out of the way then. We have all of our coat hooks and shoe storage (wall mounted) on a stud wall. We just had to ensure we used the correct fixings. They've been there for five years now and not damaged wall at all.