Planning a laundry room in your basement is one great way to make your basement a functional part of your home. There are many ways to make the most of your basement, but building a laundry room there is great for some reasons.
Here we will explore the pros and cons of planning a basement laundry rooms and some great ideas to make the room appealing and functional at the same time.
The Pros and Cons of Basement Laundry Rooms
Building a laundry room in your basement can be both advantageous and disadvantageous. You need to understand the pros and cons of basement laundry room before you establish one.
Pros Basement Laundry Rooms
- Basement is a rather secluded part of your home. Placing your laundry room there allows you to conceal your dirty laundry from the eyes of you, your family and your guests. You don’t have to exhibit your laundry all the time if you have a basement laundry room.
- Basement is often where the hub of your utility system located. By building a laundry room there, you don’t have to plan an intricate plumbing pipe network and electrical installation to connect your machines and drain to your home’s utility system.
- Basement is usually dark and gloomy. If you build a modern laundry room with enough lighting and fancy design, you will add some spark to your basement. Your new laundry room, with its paint, lighting, furniture, and rug, will light up your dark basement.
- Many people enjoy having a functional basement. This is the reason why a laundry room in your basement will significantly improve the value of your home and make your home more appealing for buyers and renters.
Cons Basement Laundry Rooms
- Below-grade areas like basement are prone to moisture, mold and mildew. You need to take the right measure to prevent those damaging elements from causing problem in your laundry room. We will talk more about this below.
- Basement is located one floor under the busiest part of your home. To reach it, you need to use stairs, which can be problematic if you are carrying a large amount of laundry.
Carrying clean clothes upstairs is also a hassle. The secluded location of the basement also prevents you from hearing the sound of finished washing and drying processes. You may end up leaving your washed or dried laundry too long in the machine.
Preparing Your Basement for a Laundry Room
Before you build a laundry room in your basement, you need to prepare it first. As mentioned above, being below-grade structure, basement is prone to water-related problems.
Because your laundry room is expected to be moisture-proof, as mold infestation can be disastrous for your clothes, you need to take the following measures to moisture-proof your basement.
Inspect the structure of your basement and foundation
Cracks in the foundation and water trapped between foundation and slab can be considered signs of structural problems that you must deal with. A waterproofing company can help you inspect your basement structure and suggest any solutions to solve existing problems.
Consider adding sump pit to contain excess water
Constructing perimeter drain to lead water away from your wall is a good idea to prevent the water from seeping through the wall and causing dampness, mold and mildew, and flooding.
However, it is much better if you also add a sump pit or sump basin that contains water that flows through the drain to make sure that your drain system works perfectly.
Inspect Your Plumbing System
Plumbing leak can be a major problem if not taken care of properly. If you see damp wall with mold and mildew or if you sense foul smell coming from inside the wall, your plumbing system might be in trouble. Call a plumber to fix any plumbing-related problems.
Use Waterproof Materials
If not done yet, you should protect your basement’s wall with waterproof material. Mold-proof PVC molding, waterproof wall panel and ceiling, and water-resistant underfloor system are examples of material that you can use to protect your basement from water-related problems.
Install Macerating Pump
Oftentimes, the wastewater of your basement laundry room must go up to reach the main plumbing system. In such case, you need an instrument that automatically pumps wastewater upward. This pump is called macerating pump.
Some Ideas to Build Basement Laundry Rooms
After you prepare your basement for a laundry room, you can now start to plan the construction of fancy laundry room in your basement. Here are some considerations to take if you want to build a great basement laundry room.
Maximize Storage
Storage is a crucial matter especially in a laundry room. You can add as many cabinets as you want to contain your laundry, but if you need extended storage space, you can put drawer underneath your washer and drier and put those machine on a more elevated position. Overhead cabinets like those in kitchen can also be used if needed.
Make a Concealable Laundry Room
If you also want to use your basement for entertainment and working purposes, you may want to make your laundry room concealable. Placing your washer and dryer inside a custom double door set is a good idea to make your laundry room concealable.
Equip your Laundry Room with Amenities
It is always a good idea to mount a television on the wall of your laundry room or to put some flower pots in the room. Laundering is often a tedious and boring task. If you equip your laundry room with mind-comforting amenities, your laundering time can be a great one.
Basement Laundry Room Ideas That’ll Make You Love Laundry Day
Laundry Room Reveal
Laundry Room Nautical Influence
Rustic Tall Laundry Room
Basement Laundry Room Farmhouse Style
Basement Laundry Room Makeover Ideas
Rustic Industrial Laundry Room
Pale Blue Laundry Rooms
With the right planning and preparation, you can build a basement laundry room that is not only trouble-free, but also functional and even entertaining. There are many great basement laundry room ideas that you can find online.
The three ideas above are examples of how a basement laundry room can be a fancy room in the previously gloomiest part of your home. After you get enough ideas to build a basement laundry room, you can rely on your ingenuity to design a laundry that is uniquely yours.