Laundry room closet - need suggestions.

SouthernBee · ‎09-16-2010

Laundry closet and family room added in 2017. Laundry area was supposed to be larger but DH wanted to add a garage.Not sure if anyone can help. My circumstances: I am short: 5" with lower back and hip issues and have to be careful. The family dinning table is in front of the laundry closet and used to fold clothes. The laundry basket is in the bathroom. The washer and dryer can't be pushed back closer to the wall. The washer and dryer are sitting with no space between the door frame. The small space on each side is need to wiggle the washer and dryer out for repairs ( already been there and done that ). But the space on the left side is 4 " and on the right side 3 1/2 " -from the set to the wall :but wondering if small shelves could be put on the sides and still able to reach. Not sure that I could reach a shelf above the washer and dryer. I have looked at a lot of things on the internet but nothing seems to fit what I need. This laundry closet is still a blessing because it is inside the house. Previously the washer and dryer were in a room off of the patio outside with the hot water heater. Not fun going outside in the summer or winter to do laundry.

On It · ‎03-15-2021

Have you thought of putting a free standing piece of furniture that has shelves and a solid door in the dining room? It could hold your detergent and laundry supplies. It seems any shelves above the washer and dryer may require a step stool.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

I have a similar arrangement except my closet is in a hall opposite the pantry with no place to fold clothes. If you put anything on the side walls, it would have to be high so you could open the washer lid. I have two long shelves above washer and dryer from wall to wall and have trouble reaching the top one sometimes. I use a little folding stool.

How about some upper cabinet that coordinate with your kitchen cabinets on the wall adjacent to the laundry in the dining room?

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

shoesnbags · ‎03-10-2010

@SouthernBee

Where is the door to the garage in relation to this laundry closet? I'm wondering if you could have a wheeled cart with shelves for laundry supplies that sits in the garage and is wheeled in to the laundry area when needed. But that only works if there is a nearby door to the garage.

"Breathe in, breathe out, move on." Jimmy Buffett

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@SouthernBee I can't tell from the photos: But could you put a stacked front loading apartment sized washer and dryer in the space? That would leave you room on the side and might be easier to reach for a short person like me!

We got front loaders and I am so happy because I don't have to dig around in the washer. It was hard to reach the bottom! LOL!!!

TheMemphisVette · ‎02-01-2015

push them apart , each against the walls

use the 7.5 between them for a pull out unit

~~today may be my last.....i choose JOY!~~

AuntG · ‎03-09-2010

If you only do laundry for two, I wonder if an apartment sized washer with dryer above could be put in that space. Then you'd have space for a shelving unit. I've looked at some of those, and having the dryer above would work for someone my height (5'6"). It might be too much of a reach for you.

Marsha2003 · ‎03-12-2010

What about mounting a pull-down shelf to the wall above the dryer...something like this:

I think they make some with a wand that you can hook on so the shelf is easy to operate for those of us that are height-challenged. The one I showed is just for concept. You could search for one that would work best for you. I believe Rev-a-Shelf might make one.

SouthernBee · ‎09-16-2010

@On It wrote:
Have you thought of putting a free standing piece of furniture that has shelves and a solid door in the dining room? It could hold your detergent and laundry supplies. It seems any shelves above the washer and dryer may require a step stool.

@On It : Thank you . I forgot to add : On the opposite left side of the laundry closet is the old laundry room that has the hot water heater and a freezer. I do have the small square 3 shelves rolling cart with more laundry supplies in that small area. Trying to avoid moving stuff around and using a step stool because needing to use my walker more.Just wanted something else in laundry center.Across from the dinning table is the family room and tv with no extra space. The wall on the right side of the laundry closet is a small coffee bar and all the supplies.

SouthernBee · ‎09-16-2010

@Kachina624 wrote:
I have a similar arrangement except my closet is in a hall opposite the pantry with no place to fold clothes. If you put anything on the side walls, it would have to be high so you could open the washer lid. I have two long shelves above washer and dryer from wall to wall and have trouble reaching the top one sometimes. I use a little folding stool.

How about some upper cabinet that coordinate with your kitchen cabinets on the wall adjacent to the laundry in the dining room?

@Kachina624 : Thank you and understand. The small wall on the left side of the dinning table: DH had rotator cuff surgery and the area is used for his chair to do PT. On the right side of the dinning table is another small table for DH other medical supplies for blood pressure etc.