Utility cupboard in loft conversion

[Sakari]

I'm planning an L-shaped dormer loft conversion in a standard victorian terrace to create 2 bedrooms and a bathroom. So far I just want the usual layout but after another day of schlepping the laundry down to the kitchen and back I've been considering adding a utility room or cupboard onto the part of the conversion that would sit above the outrigger. It would either just be a cupboard with stacked machines or, if we could get planning to make the room over the outrigger longer (outrigger is 6m and we would currently be aiming to build out about 3m) then I'd go for a room that would be about 1.75m wide to give a run of cabinets on one side with room to open doors, etc.

Has anyone done anything like this? Is it a silly idea?

Picture of where the room/cupboard would be.

I wouldn’t want the washing machine running in my bedroom, especially if you’ve set it to go on overnight. Think of the noise!

Good point Pottering, I should add that the plan for the back room is for it to be an office. Also the utility cupboard would be accessed from the corridor not the room itself.

I love the idea of an upstairs laundry room and I have serious envy of my friend’s house who has one. But I’ve had to deal with two washing machine leaks and while it’s a relatively rare thing, it would be on my mind.

Would there be issues with water pressure? I’m sure a plumber could advise on that sort of thing.

You might want to consider beefing up the noise insulation for the benefit of the rooms underneath - my machine is a bit of a prima donna on a spin cycle.

Sorry - I didn’t finish that thought. I didn’t mean to be so gloomy about possible leaks! Just that you might need to consider flooring with the possibility in mind, eg sealing the edges or something.

An upstairs laundry room only makes sense if it's on the same floor as the bathroom and bedrooms.

If you have an attic office and one bedroom, those on the next floor down would still need their laundry carting up and down.

This may not apply to you in a newly built extension but when we considered moving our washer upstairs we were advised against it.

There are risks of the vibrations from the machine causing problems with the wooden floor and joists which could cause them to move potentially being unsafe and or that it would affect the ceiling below causing it to crack/ fall down. This is a wose case scenario in a Victorian house so you may not have the problem. Also we were warned about leaks etc and the water pressure issue but the main issues were structural

(having said all that our next door neighbour lives in a first floor flat and her washing machine and ground floor neighbour seem to be fine!- although it is in the kitchen)

It’s a nice idea, maybe consider noise beforehand.

Don't you hang the washing outside in the summer? So it's only really winter where it is relevant to save the journey down.
I'd be worried about leaks... Washing machines more prone to problems in that regard and could make a big mess of floors below

I think it's a great idea to have the washing machine upstairs. It's what you would do in a flat without any serious concerns.

Just make sure the floor is suitable, so that leaks cannot hide under absorbent covering and that the feet are self levelling so that it isn't extra noisy when spinning or go 'walking' and make extra noise.

We use an airer which is next to the machine. Perfect solution.

Thanks all. I hadn't thought about water pressure but will now know to ask my builders.

Similarly the floor, due to an oddity of the current building there is actually no floor in that part of the house (I.e. no ceiling on the current first floor) so we will have to have one reinstated. I will ask about the extra cost of making sure it is suitably reinforced.

And I dry my washing inside on radiators and airers. It's probably not ideal from a damp pov but tbh I'm a bit lazy about leaving it out too long and if it was outside it would definitely get rained on most of the time. Something to consider for any future buyers though, they may find an upstairs utility a no no....

And there would be one bedroom above (in the front but of the roof) and three bedrooms on the floor below with this on the half-landing in between. To me it seemed like the perfect solution for everything except dish towels which would have to come up from the kitchen but will have a chat with builders about water pressure, waterproofing, floors, etc.

In many countries upstairs utility / laundary rooms
standard. You should do it. They’re so convenient.