I'm switching to a stackable washer/dryer, so I'm losing the overhead shelves, but gain a space about the width of a washer. I need storage space, but think I also need a space to fold - or at least put folded items - I tend to "hold and fold" instead of setting them down.
My laundry room is really small - just the width of the washer/dryer (plus maybe 10") and then maybe 3' in front - which is taken up with the door to the garage and the door into the kitchen.
Has anyone else done this, or something similar? Wondering if you have any suggestions. Thanks!
We have the same thing and I also wanted a place to fold. my husband designed a shelf that folds down from the wall like a fold down ironing board. I use that to fold and store my clothes and love it. It allows me to keep the area next to the washer and dryer open for taller things like our wastebasket and sweeper which we now store there.
Create storage shelvingthe height and width of the old washer. On the top, create counterspace, with a leaf that folds back (piano hinge) over the counter when not in use. That will give you a folding table.
Go to Lowes or Depot and buy a 24-30" wide cabinet off the shelf. You can buy a piece of laminate top too. This will give you storage and allow for a place to throw, stack, fold, leave your laundry! That's a pretty inexpensive fix and looks nice and contained. You could also get a wall cabinet for directly above if you need the storage.
If you're really confused, email me back and I'll help you. I sell cabinets!! :)
We switched to a stackable washer/dryer last year. Decided to stack in order to same a little room and it has worked out great! We got a fairly inexpensive chrome shelving unit at hardware store (lowe's or home depot) and use that to store the laundry baskets and our shoes. I wasn't looking to create a place to stand and fold, but sure you could create this space fairly easily...just wander though the storage area at the store or go online for ideas.
At anyrate, stacking the washer/dryer has worked out to be a true space saver no matter what type of shelving/cabinet you put next to it.
What about recycling an old bathroom vanity cabinet (you know, the small kind) without the top on it? You could replace the sink top with a piece of wood or formica top to fit the area you need, put shelves above it and have a little cabinet space below to hide things.
Love to hear what works!
S.
Hi D. - I have the same setup. I considered the stacked setup, but decided to go with an elaborate wire shelving unit above my side-by-sides that has shelves to stack clothes, can come with drawers and has easy to move/adjust components that hang on verticals attached to the wall. I think we got ours at Lowe's or Home Depot and it wasn't very expensive. I think it could easily work for the space you described and you would have the added advantage of going down to the floor. I also think some of them come with counter-like boards that you can place across a waist-level space. I would have preferred cabinetry, but in my little, highly-traveled space I was afraid that it would make the room seem too cave-like above or below. (I think the bathroom vanity solution is a great idea, though, and am filing that one away!) The additional levels of shelving have allowed me to store large kitchenware/small appliances, large baskets of old towels & rags, laundry needs, bulk food items, bins of batteries, my bag organizer and more. I don't love that it's all there and visible to the kitchen when the door is open, but it's much more functional than before. When I considered the idea to get the stackable units, I was going to have a laundry tub installed since the plumbing was there. If we did, I was going to get a model where the sink had a removable lid that created counter space when you weren't using the sink. It was cool and I would have loved it! I've also seen people get large armoire cabinets with doors and put them in that space, but I'm not sure how that would go with the interfering door. Hope that helps! I dream of big mud rooms!
