Utility layout help - with diagrams :)

[UtilityLayout]

I’m designing a new utility space and trying to figure out layouts.

It needs to house a washer, tumble drier, huge heated drier, some worktop space and preferably a sink and toilet.

I’d prefer a wall between the toilet and everything else party because I don’t want frosted glass in the window and partly because toilet/clean laundry combo.

I’ve come up with the two layouts in the pic, but I’m not loving either. Both would need sliding door between laundry/loo.

I have some scope to make this space longer but not wider. (Or, I could make it wider, but then it would be a route out the house with all that entails, which I’m trying to avoid.)

We have another downstairs loo so this would be family loo only - don’t need to make it guest-friendly.

(I’ve just looked at first diagram again - it’s supposed to show there’s standing room between washing machine and heated drying rack.)

If you’ve any thoughts, opinions, suggestions or if you can see any obvious flaws, I’d love to hear them.

You can get plenty of airers these days that are attached to the wall and fold out for use and back when not in use. Great space savers. If you're going really fancy you can have the built into cupboards and drawers so you just slide them out when needed.

I’m a lazy laundrist. It’s permanently out. 😀

I think I’ve settled on a variation of diagram 1, but I’ve made it bigger.

I’ve made the loo a completely separate space with its own door and hand-washing basin, which leaves me with room for four things in actual utility; washer, tumble drier in front of window, airer, sink behind me.

The pantry is smaller but I’ll not be living with pandemic-levels of canned foods forever (I hope).

Thank you all for your help!

I don't understand why you haven't stacked washing machine and tumble drier

Unless you need an extra loo and have issues ATM, I wouldn't put one in the utility room. Personally, a loo next to the laundry would put me off a property rather than adding value. Extra, permanent drying space would be a big plus

Our utility has ceiling mounted rails (like wardrobe rails) for drying clothes on hangers and a carousel with pegs for underwear and socks. It takes up less space than an airer and reduces ironing! You can also hang large items like sheets directly over the rails. The ceiling is low, like yours.

I would also recommend a pull out/fold out ironing board to save space.

@titchy

I don't understand why you haven't stacked washing machine and tumble drier

Because I want worktop space too, so I don’t understand how stacking them helps? If I stack them, then I just have worktop space over an empty gap.

Don’t I?

@orangenasturtium

Unless you need an extra loo and have issues ATM, I wouldn't put one in the utility room. Personally, a loo next to the laundry would put me off a property rather than adding value. Extra, permanent drying space would be a big plus

Our utility has ceiling mounted rails (like wardrobe rails) for drying clothes on hangers and a carousel with pegs for underwear and socks. It takes up less space than an airer and reduces ironing! You can also hang large items like sheets directly over the rails. The ceiling is low, like yours.

I would also recommend a pull out/fold out ironing board to save space.

I agree with you a bit - Pinterest (and space) had almost convinced me otherwise. But I’ve made the toilet a completely separate, self-contained room now.

Obviously, do what is best for your needs @UtilityLayout

I just meant base your decision on what will add most to your life rather than what will add value to the property because I don't think an extra loo squeezed into a laundry room will add anything in monetary terms/saleability.

I’m a lazy laundrist. It’s permanently out.

This made me think maybe you might value more drying space. I love having a dedicated drying room with space for multiple loads. How often do you need 3 loos at the same time?

My ceiling airer is above the sink/worktop. It is wonderful.