Room additions are getting more popular as many continue to remodel their homes. Adding more square footage to your home is a great investment, but the type of space determines the value. If you are looking to remodel an addition, consider adding a laundry room. Laundry room additions add value to your home while providing you with the potential to maximize functionality and cost.
Laundry Room Addition Benefits
There are many benefits to a laundry room addition. Homeowners can benefit from remodeling your home to include a laundry room that will offer more value, especially when trying to resale in the future. The primary goal when remodeling your home should be to improve functionality. Adding a dedicated space for laundry gives more storage room as well as freeing up the current laundry space for other use.
Add value to your home
Remodeling your home to include a laundry room addition increases home value. Nowadays, one of the necessities homebuyers are looking for is a home with a dedicated laundry space. Most older homes include a washer and dryer tucked away in a closet near the bedroom. While this may appear convenient, it may be more desirable to have a dedicated laundry room in a separate area of the home.
Having your laundry room addition a few rooms away will ensure no dirty clothes near where you sleep and no loud noise and heat while washing and drying clothes. A separate space will increase your home value.
Better functionality
A laundry room addition offers better functionality by providing a dedicated space for you to do your daily or weekly chores. With added open-shelving or built-in cabinet storage, you can store your detergent, fabric softener, and dryer sheets in an organized manner.
Say goodbye to knocking over the detergent bottle while looking after the kids and making a big mess in your hallway. With a dedicated hamper space, you also do not have to worry about the stench from dirty clothes entering other rooms. Laundry does not always have to be a taxing chore!
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More enjoyment out of your laundry space
If you are going to remodel a laundry room addition, you might as well enjoy it! Create your own beautiful and peaceful space, away from distractions. Choose bright cabinetry or fun geometric backsplash tile to add your touch of style. With ample storage space, your space will also look less cluttered.
Cost
The cost of a laundry room addition can range anywhere from around a few thousand dollars to $50,000 depending on the current space, type of materials you choose, and the labor required. Remodeling an existing laundry room with 60 square feet of space with new cabinets, countertops, backsplash, and lighting, can cost range $6,500 – $12,000 depending on the quality of finishes you select.
However, knocking down a non-loadbearing wall and extending square footage for an addition will drive up costs. Often, this means adding or relocating plumbing and electrical, which will cost in addition to materials and labor. To get a true understanding of the cost it will take for your specific needs will require a design consultation with measurements and review of current structure; there are too many variable to give a sight unseen estimate here – and you should be cautious of anyone who will do this, as it will likely come with a lot of contingencies to add cost upon finding the true scope.
Size, fixtures, appliances, and cabinetry also play a role in remodeling costs. More cabinets for built-in storage will add to your expense, especially with the rapid increase in lumber in 2021. Be prepared to have a budget range in mind when meeting with a designer prior to your remodel.
Location
Before adding a new laundry room to your home, consider where you want it located for maximum function. If cost is a concern, consider a location that is near existing plumbing lines or near a bathroom. This will save you in costs. The most popular location to put a laundry room is on the first floor where most of the other house chores take place. And when considering a room addition, it is more affordable to add on to the first floor than the second floor.
If your laundry room is located upstairs, this may be easy on the back, but if you value quiet, then this may not be a good idea. Also consider a vented door for the dryer. A laundry room addition that is near the kitchen and has access to the outside space is usually best.
First floor
Build your laundry room addition on the first floor if you prioritize accessibility while not missing any of the action with your family. Family rooms are often located on the main level, so if you build your laundry room near this space, you can keep an eye on the kids while doing those chores. This is also perfect if you are multitasking such as cooking, cleaning, and washing clothes. Keep an eye on that stovetop!
Moreover, bringing drains to the second floor is also much more costly than keeping them downstairs. This is an incentive to stay away from the costly option if you are on a tight budget.
If you are planning on remodeling in your forever home, consider universal design and keeping your laundry room on the first floor for easy access. With these advantages, it makes sense why having a laundry room on the first floor is a popular design option.
Second Floor
You may want to build your laundry room on the second floor if you want to avoid lugging your laundry up and down the stairs. Having your laundry room addition upstairs, eliminates heavy lifting of laundry baskets, making chore day less exhausting.
Most bedrooms have small closets in original homes. By remodeling your home to create a laundry room space, you will free up space in closets. Now you will not have to worry about anymore dirty and stinky clothes in your bedroom, near where you sleep.
In addition to freeing up closet space, a laundry room addition on the second floor gets rid of the time it takes collecting clothes from each room and walking up and down stairs before washing. Simply put a designated hamper in the new laundry room for efficient cleaning.
Safety
Here are some safety tips to consider before investing in your laundry room addition. Washer disasters are one of the top leading causes for home floods, while dryers are to blame for thousands of home fires each year.
To avoid these home accidents, invest in a washer box that is recessed in the wall for easy access to water valves. Also use hoses that do not loosen or get ruined by getting bent behind the machine.
Lastly, have an automatic shutoff valve that cuts water to the washer if a leak is detected. These are all vital steps to ensure the safety of your home.
Ventilation
Ventilation in a laundry room is also key for air flow. The metal vent-pipe that runs outside should be short as possible to maximize air flow. Another tip is to install a self-closing exhaust vent to keep air from outside, coming into your house while the dryer is not running.
Finally, consider putting a bathroom-type vent fan in the ceiling to prevent moisture from building up. The last thing you want is mold growth in your home.
Overall, if you are looking to remodel your home, a laundry room addition may just be the way to go! Laundry rooms bring value to your home, provide better functionality, and offer more joy while you get your chores done. This is a true game changer!
Sea Pointe Design & Remodel has been designing, building, and remodeling laundry rooms from start to finish in the Orange County area since 1986. Our projects exceed expectations for providing the best value and quality work. When you are ready to remodel your home, give us a call to schedule your complimentary design consultation at (949) 861-3400.
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