A bathroom-laundry room combo can be the perfect solution for small spaces. These two rooms have related functions that require similar utilities and features. There are many design and layout options, so here are a few tips on how to design the best bathroom-laundry room combo for you.

Is a Bathroom-Laundry Room Combo Right for You?

Before you invest time and energy into designing a bathroom-laundry room combo for your home, it’s important to evaluate if this combination space is right for you. Here are four great reasons to design a bathroom-laundry room combo.

Save money

If you’re home needs both a bathroom and a laundry room, combining these two spaces into one can save money. Because the bathroom fixtures and laundry machines share plumbing, the cost of installation is reduced.

Save space

Naturally, combining two rooms into one will save valuable square footage in your home. A bathroom-laundry room combo doubles the use of the space for optimal efficiency.

Increase storage

When space is limited, some homeowners opt to install a washer and dryer inside a closet. While this saves space, it’s not ideal for storage. A bathroom-laundry room combo gives you greater flexibility to maximize the storage space for both rooms. 

Convenient routines

Do you get ready for the day or get ready for bed in the bathroom? If so, a bathroom-laundry room combo can make your routines more convenient. Grab your clean clothes fresh out of the dryer and get ready all in the same room. Think about how cozy it would feel to wrap a soft, warm towel from the dryer around yourself after a shower on a cold winter day. 

How to Design a Bathroom-Laundry Room Combo

There are three key steps for designing a bathroom-laundry room combo that works best for you.

1. Decide on the layout

Several factors will help you determine the right layout, including:

• Washer/dryer configuration—A stacked washer and dryer saves space, but there are also benefits of a side-by-side configuration or even having the machines facing each other from opposite sides of the room. For exceptionally small spaces, an all-in-one washer and dryer saves even more square footage. 
• Plumbing—If you have existing plumbing, are there limitations on layouts that will work without major plumbing changes? Consult with your plumber or designer.
• Fixtures—Which fixtures do you want in the space, and what are the dimensions? Options include a bathroom sink, laundry sink, cabinets, storage, shower, tub, toilet, and laundry machines.
• Ventilation—A bathroom and a laundry room generate moisture. Proper ventilation is doubly important in a shared space. 

Also consider space requirements for opening doors and meeting building codes. 

2. Select appliances, fixtures, colours, and finishes

The size, style, and energy efficiency of your appliances matter. Select fixtures with space, durability, and efficiency in mind. For design features like paint and cabinet colours and finishes, choose easy-to-clean, durable options. Water-resistant selections are preferable in a moisture-rich environment like this. 

3. Create storage solutions

Your bathroom-laundry room combo requires a significant amount of storage space. If you want to have a place for everything, you need to know what that “everything” entails. In this case, laundry detergent, stain remover, cleaning supplies, personal care products, towels, etc. Do an inventory for your storage needs.

Check out these 15 Ideas for Bathroom Storage to Maximize Your Space. 

Bathroom-Laundry Room Combo Layouts

There are endless possibilities for designing a bathroom-laundry room combo, but let’s take a look at the three most common layouts. 

Concealed Bathroom Laundry Room Layout

Hiding your washer and dryer behind closed doors disguises the laundry room portion of the space and creates an uncluttered look. This is particularly appealing to homeowners concerned about the aesthetics of a bathroom used by guests and has the additional benefit of muting the noise of your laundry machines while in use. 

Concealment can be achieved using various types of doors, including pocket, hinged, sliding, or bi-fold doors. When closed, a flat-panel door mimics the look of a smooth wall to create a more streamlined look.

Bathroom-Laundry Room Niche Layout

Instead of hiding your washer and dryer, you can design your room layout to incorporate the laundry machines for optimal functionality without sacrificing the look of the space. For example, tuck the washer and dryer underneath a countertop. 

Divided Bathroom-Laundry Room Layout

Sometimes the best option is to embrace the situation. Instead of trying to disguise the bathroom-laundry room combo, accentuate it by creating obviously separate zones in the room. One way to achieve this is with a partition wall.

5 Bathroom-Laundry Room Combo Design Tips

Here are a few more tips to enhance your bathroom-laundry room combo.

Access to the outdoors

Consider placing the bathroom-laundry room in an area of the house that allows for external access, either through a window or a door. This will improve air circulation and ventilation. A door provides convenience.

Add a backsplash

A backsplash can be a design feature to add interest and colour to the space, but it can also protect your walls from the inevitable moisture that develops in a bathroom-laundry room.

Feature wall

Most people don’t think of a bathroom or laundry room as a visually interesting room, but a feature wall can change that and draw the eye away from the extra appliances. An accent wall with bold wallpaper, stone, or tile can turn a highly functional room into a luxuriously-designed space.

Space-saving sink

A pedestal or wall-mounted bathroom sink saves a lot of floor space. If you want to use your sink for laundry purposes, consider a sink that can double as the bathroom sink as well. 

Tidy tip

This dual-purpose space can understandably become cluttered. Minimize that by designing a space to tuck laundry baskets away—inside cabinets or underneath a floating vanity, for example. 

Install a retractable clothesline, foldable drying rack, and a folding table that can be tucked away when not in use. 

Design the Perfect Bathroom-Laundry Room Combo

With a bit of strategic planning, you can design a fully functional and stylish bathroom-laundry room combo that works for you. 

The designers at Riverstone Kitchens & Renovations can customize a bathroom-laundry room combo design that’s perfect for you, complete with a layout, custom cabinets, and storage solutions to meet your needs. Contact us today for a free consultation.