No home is complete without a laundry room. However, it always becomes an afterthought while designing houses. Laundry rooms are usually set up in cramped places like the basement, garage or places that are often neglected.
Something about a laundry room that you should know is it needs to be spacious and well designed. A clean laundry room can have multiple benefits, and making your home look tidy is just one of them.
Doing laundry becomes a piece of cake when all the tools are organized. However, if you are wondering what the average laundry room size is by dimension, then you have come to the right place.
Today we will be discussing the average laundry room size, so to find all your answers bear with us till the end.
What’s the average laundry room size by dimensions?
The average size of a laundry room for US homes is 54 Square feet or 6ft x 9ft. This standard size laundry room is good enough to fit more than two appliances and it also provides enough storage. For extra storage you can use laundry baskets or tall cupboards.
Table of Contents
Laundry rooms mostly depend on the size of their homes. But, it’s good to keep in mind that the average laundry room is about 54 sq feet in the US. Let’s discuss about few laundry rooms based on their size –
Small laundry room:
A small laundry room size or the minimum size for a laundry room is 6ft x 7ft, equivalent to 42 sq feet. You can place your laundry essentials like a dryer, washer and a washing sink.
For narrower rooms, it’s better to add cabinets and pull-out laundry baskets. This way, you get to space, and everything stays in place.
Medium/Average laundry room:
The average laundry room will be around 54 sq feet, or 6ft x 9ft. This space is good enough to place at least three laundry features, such as a washer and other laundry machines.
Be sure to leave some space around these machines, especially if you own a front-load washing machine.
Choosing the right washer dryer is a necessity in this very case. Be sure to choose the ideal design, size and loading capacity suitable for your space.
Large laundry room:
Bigger spare means larger laundry areas. The dimension for a large laundry room is usually measured at 60-80 sq feet.
For a large laundry room, there are multiple extra features that you can add. For example, an end-to-end countertop along with two basin sinks.
Multiple washers and dryers. When you have multiple washers, you can wash more loads at once.
You can also add extra storage space for utility tools and cleaning products. Additionally, you can also have an ironing and folding area. And add some plants as a part of the decor. However, it will also make your laundry room look more refreshing.
Laundry closet:
A laundry room is unimaginable without a laundry closet. Typically laundry closets have a dimension of five feet by three feet. Remember to consider the closet ceiling before building a laundry closet. The good part is you can stack the washer and dryer in a laundry closet.
Laundry closets are typically used to store laundry utilities.
What is the average square footage of a laundry room?
According to statistics, the average square footage of a laundry room can consume up to 3.7% of your entire home’s square footage.
For example, if the total area of your home is 3,000 square feet, then the square footage of the laundry room will be approximately 111 Square feet. Most of the room area is consumed by the washer and dryer.
However, installing a sink can change the entire look of the room. It is also proven convenient to have a sink in your laundry room. Additionally, any finished room is considered to be usable square footage.
Although there are some debates about whether utility rooms are included or not, typically, they are included. Even the closets are counted as a part of the square footage.
How much room do I need for a washer and dryer?
Typically a washer and a dryer consume around 60 inches or 5 feet.
Although, this can vary depending on the type and size of your machines. Before you purchase a washer and dryer, it’s important to ensure that you have plenty of space to store them. You can start with measuring the space to avoid extra expenses.
Having enough space doesn’t mean fitting the appliances properly; it also includes using them efficiently and safely. Before you choose to purchase any washer or dryer, make sure you are aware of the specific dimension of your laundry room.
The extra space left around the washer and dryer is known as the clearance. It’s recommended to have at least 1 inch of space around a washer and a dryer. This allows proper air circulation, and it also helps to minimize noise transfer.
How deep should a laundry room be?
The standard depth of a laundry room would be 27-32 inches. However, for the plugs, you will need a bit more space which means around 40 inches.
Whereas laundry room cabinets are usually 12-24 inches deep, equivalent to 61cm. For the base, that is enough space, and for the top, 12 inches and 30 cm is just fine.
You can add wall storage for laundry supplies if you have trouble with storage. A hanging rack can also be added to minimize the pressure on the storage cabinets.
You may also add shelves to the corners that you don’t use. And use baskets to store supplies. Additionally, you may build a folding station for your laundry room.
What should a laundry room have? How much space do they need?
Whether you are redecorating or building a new laundry room, here is a list of things you should have in your laundry room:
A standard quality washer and a dryer:
This might look pretty obvious. But, it’s important to keep in mind that choosing the right machines can save you a lot of time and money. Front-loading machines are a great option. They have gentle washes and are energy efficient.
If you plan on buying a new machine, be sure to check the dimensions before making the purchase. The standard size of a washer and dryer would be 27-28 inches and 30-35 inches in depth.
Also, check the water and power consumption capacity of the new machines. If you do not have enough space for two separate machines, plenty of options combine a washer and dryer. Go for those.
Laundry Storage space:
Without the proper storage space, no matter how effectively you fill it with items, it will always end up looking messy. So, the best solution is to add plenty of storage space.
If you like to have a lot of bench space, add wall cabinets as your storage option. At least one tall cupboard is needed to clean brooms, mops and vacuums. Also, adding power outlets is widely necessary.
On average, a laundry closet that has a dimension of 5ft by 3ft is okay.
Another necessary storage is a higher cupboard for things like bleach, drano and other chemical elements. These must be placed high so that they are way out of reach from your children. You can also lock the cupboard if necessary.
Laundry room sink:
A laundry room is incomplete if there is no sink. Your job becomes fifty percent easier when you have laundry included in your laundry room.
On average, a laundry room sink consumes 23-inches in width and 20-inches in length.
Although you wouldn’t need to hand wash your clothes, you might need to pre-soak them before washing. A laundry sink can be proven useful.
How do you turn a closet into a laundry room?
If you are planning to turn a closet into a laundry room, then follow the given steps below:
Measuring the dimension inside the closet:
Before you start, the first thing that needs to be done is to measure the dimension of the closet. Make sure that your appliances fit the closet. If they do not fit, consider buying smaller ones or a stackable one.
Emptying the closet:
Once you are sure that the closer has enough room, it’s time to empty the closet. This means taking out the shelves too. Emptying is necessary, so you have enough space to work things out.
Installing water lines:
Take the help of a professional plumber and get the water lines installed. Also, be sure to check floor leaks; if there are any, get them fixed.
Installing properly sized power outlets:
The last thing you’d need to do is place power outlets. Hire a professional electrician to install the power outlets properly. Check the available safety options and get them to avoid accidents.
Once you’re done with all these, you’re ready to place the washer and dryer in the closet.
Final Thoughts
The average size for a standard laundry room is 54 Square feet, equivalent to 6ft x 9ft. This much space is good enough to place two-three appliances, a sink and storage space. As standard washer-dryers do not consume more than 56-inches in width, you are left out with plenty of storage space.