Cover story: Laundry area climbs out of basement

Washing clothes has become less of a chore, thanks to today’s well-designed, conveniently located laundry rooms. No longer relegated exclusively to the basement, newer laundry rooms have been applauded by homeowners.

Statistics show the average person spends at least six hours a week doing laundry, so it makes perfect sense that homeowners crave a more stylish and functional space to do their “dirty work.”

“These rooms are becoming larger and more multifunctional, with organizers, a table for folding, ironing stations and windows with a view,” says Stephen Melman, director of economic services for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

In fact, Mr. Melman says, a recent report by the NAHB shows that among the 10 most-requested features for new homes in 2010, the laundry room was No. 2. Walk-in closets in the master bedroom took the No. 1 slot.

Tom Byrne, president of Chadsworth Homes Inc., headquartered in Rockville, Md., says dedicated laundry rooms are a key component of the home and are more important as a day-to-day quality-of-life issue than a media room or study.

Several decades ago, laundry rooms were almost always in the basement, he says, and they often consisted of nothing more than a location for a washer and dryer.

“Today, a laundry room will often have its own cable outlet and telephone line,” Mr. Byrne says, adding that the typical laundry room being built in new homes will have a minimum of 8 feet of cabinet space, including wall and base cabinets.

Many new-home buyers will spend time designing the laundry room, placing not only convenient cabinets in the room, but also adding features such as shelving, in-wall ironing boards and drip racks over shower pans, Mr. Byrne says.

Home-design experts say laundry rooms are becoming increasingly upscale.

“In the past few years, 30 percent of the homes we build … have a laundry room with granite countertops, a single-level kitchen-style faucet, and the laundry tub will be an undercounter sink,” Mr. Byrne says.

“The idea is that if this is a room that the owner visits on a regular basis, it should be stylish as well as functional,” he says.

Industry experts say people are painting, decorating, expanding and installing upgrades in their laundry rooms just as they would the bathroom or kitchen.

In regard to the location of the laundry room, Mr. Melman says another migration is happening in single-family homes. After a big rush to move the laundry room as close to the bedroom as possible, he says acoustical problems, shaking floors and vibrating furniture have prompted many homeowners to prefer doing laundry on the main level.

Mr. Byrne adds that one of the advantages to a main-level laundry room is that it’s where the family spends the most time. On the main level, industry experts say, a load of laundry can be done quickly while one is doing other chores or watching television. Having it placed near the hub of family activity also makes it a lot easier for everyone to pitch in.

Joseph Himali, principal broker with Best Address Real Estate in the District, says homeowners have gotten tired of carrying the laundry basket up and down a flight of steps, and many prefer the convenience of main-level laundering.

Story Continues →