It's been an exciting week on the blog, and the momentum continues! Are you ready for another intriguing design discussion? Today, we'll be diving into the world of stacked laundry units. This topic seems to elicit strong opinions - some love them for their space-saving capabilities, while others despise them. Join me as we explore both sides of the debate and discover the perfect balance that suits your needs.
The Controversy Continues
When I revealed my laundry room in our previous house (pictured above), I was bombarded with negative comments about our stacked washer and dryer. It was truly surprising to receive such an overwhelming response. But, as they say, controversy breeds conversation. So, let's delve deeper into this topic and offer our own insights.
In our current home, our laundry units are placed side by side - and no, it's not because of the criticism we faced in our previous laundry room. When we moved into this house, the washer and dryer hookups were already set up that way. As we plan to fully renovate this space in the future, it made sense to work with the existing setup. If you haven't seen our recent budget laundry room makeover, make sure to catch up on that. Having experienced both stacked and side-by-side units, I now have a well-formed opinion on each.
The Advantages of Stacked Units
Let's start with stacked units. I must admit, I loved having stacked units because they are fantastic space savers. Even if you have a spacious laundry room, stacking your units is a smart decision. It frees up more room for beautiful cabinetry, a large sink, or other visually pleasing features.
One issue that turned off many people when I shared my previous laundry room was the sloped ceiling. Due to the angle and crown molding, the photos created an optical illusion. Although I captured myself doing laundry, most viewers believed I could never reach the top unit due to its proximity to the crown molding. Some even thought I must be eight feet tall (for the record, I'm 5'6"!). The truth is, if you're of average height, stackable laundry units are designed to be within reach.
Source: Alice Lane Interiors
Exploring Side-by-Side Units
Now, let's explore the benefits of installing your units side by side. The significant advantage of this configuration is the ability to have a work surface or countertop above the washer and dryer. Functionally speaking, that's a great feature to have!
Source: Home Made by Carmona
Weighing the Pros and Cons
There are pros and cons to both options. When it comes to stacked units, front-loading washers and dryers are typically used. Unfortunately, front loaders have earned a bad reputation for mold, mildew, and odor issues, as well as retaining moisture. Additionally, reaching the top stacked unit may be challenging for those on the shorter side. Some people opt to include a stool or ottoman in their laundry space to assist with reaching the top unit, but that can be inconvenient and tiresome.
When it comes to side-by-side units, they do occupy more floor space and often require pedestals for comfortable use. They may also appear bulkier when placed alongside cabinetry.
Source: Studio McGee
Revealing My Personal Preference
Now, it's time for me to reveal my personal preference. Any guesses? I'm inclined towards stacked units. Why? Firstly, I dislike bending down to use side-by-side units, and I find pedestals to be visually unappealing (not to mention that they raise the countertop or folding surface too high for comfort). I also appreciate the space-saving aesthetic that stacked washer and dryers offer. Personally, I've never encountered issues with reaching the buttons, mold, mildew, or unpleasant odors associated with front-loading units. I always ensure to follow the cleaning instructions and run the cleaning cycle regularly.
[yop_poll id="3"]
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to this design discussion. I would love to know your stance and the reasoning behind it! Cast your vote using the poll above and leave a comment explaining your preference. Let's have some fun dissecting this topic. Who knows, maybe you'll even persuade me to install side-by-side units when we fully renovate our laundry room (although I highly doubt it!).
