Laundry renovation incorporating hot water system

Alrighty Workshop Brainstrust, I'd like to get some wisdom here, please. I want to renovate our laundry, I've read this great article about planning the reno, and there are a few constraints. We have the (electric) hot water system currently in the middle of a side wall (see floorplan sketch below). After some advice from @MitchellMc, I'd say we'll probably leave it there, as the cost of moving it outside (and then getting some sort of shelter over it) isn't enough to offset the benefit of extra storage space.

It's a walk-through room not unlike @Nham's really neat laundry renovation here, but with some extra width (again, floorplan below). BUT the Minister of Home Affairs wants to keep our top-loading washing machine, which kinda kyboshes any plan for having a nice benchtop, like all the laundry renovation posts I've seen here. Apart from that, a fold-out ironing board and some overhead cupboards would be neat.

Any thoughts and advice welcome!

Any advice about boxing in an existing host water system, so that we can store stuff around it, yet keep access to it in case of mishap?
Any advice about selling the benefits of a front-loading washing machine? 😉
The walls are that ol' 60s fibro, so I suspect asbestos...? Should we get someone to rip it out? Or clad over the top...?

Thanks heaps!

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MitchellMc

A tricky little situation that one @Benskimo.

What you can fit around that heater will really come down to exact measurements. You might be able to get a 450mm pantry cabinet in that gap, but the door likely won't open fully. You could always leave the door off and have exposed shelves. If you box the heater in, you'd be able to have a panel on the front attached with concealed screws. Removing this panel would give you access to the heater.

The bench space you'll be able to achieve with a front loader is amazing. You can make it work with a top loader, but you'll have a reduced bench. He's a few renderings to give you some ideas.

Mitchell

Jason

Hi @Benskimo,

Let me also tag some other experienced renovators for their thoughts: @prettyliving, @diy_hausdesigns, @redbournreno and @EricL.

Jason

EricL

Hello @Benskimo

It's great that you've received excellent advice from @MitchellMc. Just to add to the suggestions already made. Have you considered moving some walls? At the moment you have a wall near the hot water cylinder that's badly placed and is not offering any storage space at all. If this wall were removed or repositioned. You'll be able to put in a full 900mm cupboard by my estimate.

The same can be said over at the other side where the washing machine is. I suggest removing the wall near the laundry tub and opening your laundry area. With the proper design enhancements, it will become a feature of the house instead of just the wash area. I've placed some diagrams below for your consideration. If you wish to see it in another configuration, please let me know.

I've owned both machines at one time or another, but personally, I find that front-loaders do a better wash because of the tumbling action. I often find top loaders sometimes get things tangled and ripped in the centre agitator.

Please enjoy the pictures

Eric

Benskimo Laundry1.jpg Benskimo Laundry2.jpg Benskimo Laundry3.jpg Benskimo Laundry4.jpg Benskimo Laundry5.jpg Benskimo Laundry6.jpg Benskimo Laundry7.jpg

Nham

Hi @Benskimo ,

Looks like an interesting project and in a very small space. For the corner with 450mm, I would build custom floating shelves to fit the area and paint it white. You can have the Dyson connected and stored here and move it away from the wall. For the water heater, have you considered a transparent sliding screen/room divider? It would cover the water heater but also give you access to the space. For the area to the left of the water heater, I would consider open shelving. I think any cabinets doors on this side of the room would close in the space. For the ironing board, we use a mini version that is easy to store away.

For the other wall, can you move the top loader outside the room? It seems you have some enclosed space next to the window. You will get more storage and bench space and it will look better in the long term. You could also sell the front loader and use that to offset the price of the front loader. Good luck with your build.

Screen Shot 2022-04-12 at 12.11.36 pm.png

Benskimo

Firstly, a HUGE WOW and kudos to @MitchellMc, @EricL and @Nham - I really appreciate your ideas and the effort with the rendering images you've gone to - blows me away! Also thanks to @Jason for spreading the word.

The Minister for Home Affairs is definitely against a front loader (the top loader is pretty new, plus does bigger loads), but I reckon I could get a new tub that is slightly narrower (like this one here), which would free up enough space for a bench that's wide enough to put a laundry basket on. That'd be fine.

Thanks for the ideas about the cabinetry. I can't move any walls (that little wall at the end is exterior brick), but leaving some shelving open will do the trick in that area. I can remove a wall that's currently above above the water heater, which would free up space right up to the ceiling for cabinetry, so that's good. Thanks for the ideas of what cabinetry could look like there.

By the way, a quote I got for re-doing this laundry was $17k!!! That included $1.5k for moving the hot water system outside, which doesn't have enough of a pay-off to do. Based on your advice, I reckon I can do all this myself, so thanks again.

MitchellMc

Keep us updated and reach out if you need more assistance @Benskimo. We're here to help the whole way through your build.

Mitchell

hakeae

Hi, I'd like to support the Minister - I am working on my own reno and everyone says "get rid of that top loader and get a front loader; it'll be so much easier to design" and the answer is "No way!". I do not want a front loader, and the reno has to work around having the front loader! 🙂

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @hakeae. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for adding to the discussion.

I'd be keen to hear your thoughts on the benefits of a top loader over a front loader. As you've mentioned, it is much easier to design a front loader in, and the added benchtop space they free up is a real selling point. Would you say that the benefits of a top loader outweigh those of the additional bench space? I have a top loader but still managed to squeeze a bench large enough for a washing basket to sit on into the space. I feel having some bench space is essential, but the amount is certainly up for debate.

I'll be looking forward to your build and hearing about the other projects you have going on around the house and garden. Please let us know anytime you need assistance or have something to share.

Mitchell

hakeae

Hi Mitchell, I have a microscopic laundry that I have been agonising over for a while. I tried to talk myself into a front loader, and it would have made redesign easier, but I want my top loader. The biggest benefit of top loader for me: standing access V getting down on the floor. I investigated putting one on a raised platform, but all the manufacturer's specs said "must be on the floor" so I didn't want to risk it falling off a platform. Secondly, with the top loader I like the soak option for eg whites and stained items; I use that a lot, and I can manually soak big items like blankets and doonas by 3/4 filling with warm soapy water and leaving overnight. I believe that front loaders have "soak" etc options, but not the same :). There are other things like the time it takes for a load to run. 🙂

Benskimo

Folks, there's been an intriguing twist to this story: The Minister for Home Affairs has come around to having a front-loader. Despite all the same reasons for keeping the top loader as you've said, @hakeae (especially being able to do fewer larger loads of laundry), she likes the idea of a benchtop, PLUS adding a wall-mounted dryer. We've never needed a dryer before, but the constant rain is now making us reconsider!

So, we're now thinking of the sort of config that @MitchellMc , @EricL and @Nham have suggested (again, big thanks). BUT can anyone foresee any issues with adding a wall-mounted dryer above the front-loader? Any tips? I've sketched up what we're thinking now (below). The cupboards above the bench wouldn't extend out as far as I've drawn them, and the splashback area is higher than shown! But you get the idea...

MitchellMc

Love your design @Benskimo.

It's great to hear of your progress. However, adding the wall mount dryer effectively does the same thing a having a top loader. It reduces usable bench space. A couple of thoughts about your design. If you have the wall mount cupboards aligned with the dryer, they will obstruct the bench significantly. As you've pointed out, they won't come out that far, but they'll still be intrusive. You could raise the cupboards up to the roof, which would alleviate this, but I think you'd be better off having the washer and dryer on the right-hand side instead of in the middle. The cabinet on the left above the sink will block the window. That might be an internal window, so you're not worried about it.

Here's another design to consider. You could stack the washer and dryer within some custom cabinetry. I'd then place some slimline cabinetry at the top. This leaves you with a nice (but small) benchtop space and sink area unobstructed by the cabinetry above.

Mitchell

TedBear

I like most of this suggestion of Mitchell Mc's except the stacked dryer... given that the reason for opting for a front loader is to get more bench space. But putting it near an outside wall (assumed from the double brick in the drawing) will enable the air to be ducted outside and also not have it as a head banger in the centre of the area. Just raising the dryer a bit will give you more bench space to use. (I was reluctant to change to a front loader at first, but they use far less water and power, and if you choose the right model you can stop and top up or remove things anywhere in the wash cycle. We use the 40 minute cycle mostly. About same time as our top loader took.)

MitchellMc

@TedBear,

I'd prefer a wall mount dryer and bench space instead of stacked, but my concern is if that bench space will even be usable. Would a washing basket fit between the bench and the dryer? I can only see a wall-mounted dryer above a bench working if it is mounted exceptionally high and anyone less than 6-foot uses a step stool to load/unload it. Anything less than a gap of 40cm between the bottom of the dryer and the benchtop seems impractical.

If you're unable to achieve an unobstructed and open bench workspace, I'm thinking you might as well stack the dryer so it is at a perfect height and use the space above for cabinetry. If you can find a dryer designed for a wall mount that can be flipped upside down and the opening is close to the bottom that might work.

My thoughts might also be based on having a reasonable short wife. If I were to place the dryer at a suitable height for her, there would be no point in having bench space below it.

Mitchell

TedBear

Ah, now the topic is getting interesting. All those options are worthy of consideration. My suggestion for getting the perfect laundry is... Benskimo to check the height of his wife and if necessary also swap her for a taller model who also is willing to have a top loading washing machine. All problems solved! 🙂

Nham

Hi @Benskimo ,

You could try for a washer/dryer stand-alone unit. One appliance that can wash and dry, saving you space.

Benskimo

Wow, I didn't know such a thing even existed! I'll table this with The Minister... cheers @Nham .

Benskimo

Ah yeah nice solution, @MitchellMc , thank you. It's definitely better putting the washer + dryer units on the right, and I don't mind the smaller benchspace. The custom cabinetry definitely makes it look neater. And btw I'm getting rid of the window and boxing it in, so I could always extend the wall cabinets all the way across. The saga continues...

EricL

Hello @Benskimo

Excellent sketch on your proposed dryer layout. My colleague @MitchellMc has made excellent points on dryer location and accessibility. But in case you were curious as to what it might have looked like, here is a nice little sketch. Keep in mind that the wall cabinets are only 320mm deep and 720mm high a typical dryer size is around 800h x 600w x 500d. I still recommend getting rid of that window wall altogether.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Benskimo

This is GOLD, @EricL - thanks very much for comping this up for me. I def prefer the wall-mounted option, but considering the stacked option from @MitchellMc as well. Getting there...

Benskimo

Hey there - I couldn't help but return with an update: the reno is complete! Very happy with it. I kept to a sensible budget on this one, which meant not ripping up the original tiles, and keeping the hot water system where it was. The doors could do with a lick of paint, but... next time... 😉

Behold:

Again, many thanks to you all on this thread for your help!

MitchellMc

Wow! Those are some absolutely stellar results @Benskimo! I'm thrilled that you've updated us with these images. You've done an excellent job and should be very proud of your efforts.

This would make an excellent entry into our Australia's Best D.I.Y. Project. Shall I enter it for you?

Mitchell

hakeae

Wow the end result is fabulous :). Well done! Just one question - how has The Minister adjusted to the front-loader? ? Is she converted? 🙂

Benskimo

Ha, yes, the transition has been smooth! She likes it. Phew. Plus it really helps having a drier now, what with all this wet weather.

Benskimo

Hey thanks a million @MitchellMc - and yes please that'd be brilliant! I've got other photos of the work half-way through (plastered walls, etc), but the before and after shots above capture it the best. 🙂

Jason

I've entered you in the competition @Benskimo.

I'm sure members would find the progress photos really helpful if you could please share them. Laundry renovations are very popular with the community as they are a great project for first-time renovators.

Jason

Benskimo

Oh wow, thanks heaps @Jason ! Much appreciated. Here's how it went:

Tired old laundry gets a hip overhaul

Over the last 11 years we've been at our '69 surburban house, we've done a range of small reno jobs and updates (new deck, exterior landscaping, schmick front entryway), and so it was time to give the poor old laundry some reno love. 🙂

I started by asking for advice right here on Bunnings Workshop, and got some great ideas and some amazing mockups from @MitchellMc, @EricL, @Nham and others, to seed my thinking. I sketched out what I could do, given the small space available, and what we wanted to use that space for (more storage, brighter outlook as you go through from garage to the house). There were a few variations in the mix, like whether or not to move the hot water system to the corner, or out of the laundry completely... whether to increase budget to include ripping up the old floor tiles... but in the end I kept the project tight and purpose-led.

After contracting an asbestos remover, I had the help of a builder to re-clad the walls in water-resistant fibreboard (not Gyprock), remove the old little window, and install some new cabinetry. That was the bulk of the cost. I used standard widths and heights of cabinetry where I could though, to keep costs down.

We also got a plumber to re-do the pipes so that the inlet and outlet would all be hidden under a bench top, to leave a nice clean splashback area.

Ah, the bench top! There was some internal drama bubbling over whether or not we stick with our existing top-loader washing machine (Bigger loads! I can't open it while it's washing a load! Why buy what we don't need!), or go for the front-loader. This would of course fundamentally affect the design. In the end, having a nice longer bench top sealed the deal for a new front-loader. This also made it easier to incorporate a new wall-mounted dryer into the design.

Once the (nice long) bench top and swish new tub were in place, I re-painted the ceiling and painted the walls, leaving the space ready for the tiles of the splashback area. We also installed a new powerpoint underneath the bench so that the washing machine could be plugged in from within the frame of the cupboard. I got the tiles from Tile Factory Outlet in Smithfield, Sydney. Their range is incredible. I wanted tiles that had a bit of a midcentury modern flavour, to go with the rest of the house. I nearly chose some pool tiles (tiny aqua squares looked pretty hip), but these mint ones were just the ticket.

The last thing I did was obsess over getting the beautiful grain of that bench top looking and feeling as good as possible, with lots of fine sanding and 3 coats of Cabot's Benchtop Clear. All it needs now is a plant and a raffia mat! We're really happy with it, and it's turned a dowdy awkward old eyesore into a graceful integrated utility area, that enhances the midcentury modern feel of the whole house.

Jason

Awesome, thanks for all the extra detail @Benskimo and congrats again for a fantastic end result.

Looking forward to seeing what you tackle next!

Jason

Nham

Wow, it looks amazing @Benskimo. You managed to utilise the space and made it look very cool!

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