7 Must-Have Laundry Room Dimensions For Your Home

Everyone needs to wash clothing, yet a laundry room is usually an afterthought when designing homes.  Crammed in an empty basement or a garage, these spaces are often neglected and not maximized. Having a dedicated and well-designed laundry area can bring heaps of benefits.  One thing that comes to mind is it keeps your home tidy.

Washed clothes due for folding and ironing can stay in one place until you are ready to tackle them. You can have cabinets to organize linens, cleaning products, and detergents.  Doing the cleaning becomes less stressful when everything is in one place. Learn how much space is right for you as we discuss different laundry room dimensions before starting your renovation.

Standard Laundry Dimensions

There is no standard for a laundry space; these are the common sizes for layout designs.

Laundry Room Type	Typical Dimensions	Characteristics
Small	5 feet x 8 feet	Washer & dryer and limited storage/possibly a combined room layout
Medium	8 feet x 10 feet – 10 feet x 12 feet	More storage, a folding area, a utility sink, and room to open an ironing board.
Large	12 feet x 15 feet or larger	Multiple machines, extensive storage (island, sewing area, pet washing station).
Washer/dryer Closet	3 feet x 3 feet	Minimum amount of space, typically just enough space for stacked machines

A home’s layout will vary depending on its construction. Larger plans will have more counter space, space for folding and sorting clothing, and storage cabinets.

Average Laundry Room Size

The average laundry room size for most houses in the US is 54 square feet and 6ft x 9ft.  This space accommodates at least three features, like the washer and dryer and storage units. 

Consider the clearance spaces around these items and appliances, especially if you have a front-load washing machine.

Washer and dryer machines: Choose the right washer and dryer combo according to your size, design, and loading capacity requirements. 

Storage cabinets and drying racks: Consider installing customized overhead cabinets for linens and cleaning supplies. Add wall-mounted racks you can pull out to dry your clothes.

Laundry sink: Make your washing area effective for scrubbing and removing stains by having a sink. You can also hand wash some delicate clothes, wash your floor mops, or bathe your pets.

Extra features: Keep your ironing board and clothes steamer in this room. Some homeowners double their space as a utility room and storage for household bedding, pantry, or pet-related items. 

Proper ventilation is also vital to maintain healthy air quality indoors. Add an exhaust fan to avoid unpleasant odors and molds on damp clothes or chemical reactions when the room gets too warm. 

Minimum Laundry Room Size

The very minimum for a laundry area is a small closet that measures 3ft by 3 ft and has enough room for one stackable washer and dryer unit.

With a minimum floor plan of 42 square feet (6ft x 7ft), you can equip it with cleaning essentials, including a washer, dryer, and utility sink.  Add space-saving solutions for small spaces like narrow cabinets and pull-out baskets. 

You don’t have to be extravagant with your floor plan; a small laundry room will suffice if there is enough space to move around. 

TIP: Get a stackable washer and dryer to allocate your remaining space for other purposes.

Large Laundry Room Size

Bigger homes allow more space for a large laundry floor plan and can also ramp up your property’s value, attracting future buyers who have a family.  

So, how big is big? Large laundry rooms usually measure at least 60 to 80 square feet which is 7ft x 10ft. 

Create a multifunctional space by installing some of the following features.

• End-to-end countertop with a double basin sink. 
• Multiple washers and dryers to take more loads at once. 
• Dedicated cabinets for your linen and clothes. 
• Storage space for other utility tools and cleaning products
• Larger drying racks.
• Ironing and folding area.

You can also add decor and plants to make your laundry room layout more refreshing.  Some luxury homes even have laundry chutes.  Suddenly, doing the cleaning feels less like a chore. 

Laundry Room Sink Size

A utility sink is beneficial for pre-soaking your clothes and other washing purposes. That said, getting the right size for your room is vital. 

Laundry sinks range from 21 to 48 inches in width, depending on the type of sink you prefer.  A single basin sink can measure between 21 and 34 inches, while you can expect double basin sinks to have a width of 35 to 48 inches. 

In addition, laundry sinks are deeper than bathroom sinks, with 12 inches in depth.  Deep sinks prevent dirt and water from splashing.  Finally, factor in the ledge or countertop measurements when choosing between countertop, wall-mount, and stand-alone sinks.  

Door Size For Laundry Room

Aside from the interior layout dimensions, the door size for laundry rooms also needs special consideration.  Your door should measure at least 32 inches in width, enough for large equipment to pass through. 

If you use a basic door, think about the clearance space when the door swings open.  You will need at least 45 inches of clearance or more, depending on the width of your door.

Otherwise, you can also install a sliding door or a folding door.  A sliding door is at least 36 inches wide, plus the clearance space on the wall of the same width. 

Washer and Dryer Closet Dimensions

Laundry rooms are not always possible, particularly for those who live in small condominiums and apartments.  Fret not, as you can create a washroom closet instead. 

These types of closets are usually hidden enclosures along the hallway or a small corner of the house.

You only need 15 square feet (5ft x 3ft) space to fit your washer and dryer and a built-in storage unit. For reference, washers and dryers usually measure 27 inches wide and 25 to 28 inches deep.  Here’s our complete guide to washer and dryer dimensions.

Finally, make sure that you have direct access to plumbing and electricity and that you have enough space to move around.  

Don’t forget to pick a closet door that can seamlessly blend into the interior design of your house as well. 

Stackable Washer And Dryer Closet Dimensions

Take advantage of your vertical space by using a stackable washer and dryer appliances.  A stackable set is smaller than the side-by-side version, which helps if your goal is to make every space of your closet count.  This combo works best for a one to two-person washer and dryer capacity.

To set up a stackable washer and dryer closet, you need an area with at least 3.5ft wide by 3ft deep by 8ft height. 

If you have more space to spare, you can follow the minimum laundry closet size of 15 square feet and add a sink with a cabinet on the side.  

Whether you need a closet or a room ultimately depends on your goals and available space. Washer and dryer closets are perfect for small condominiums or apartments, while laundry rooms are more functional for larger homes.

Once you’ve decided on your dimensions, check out the best laundry flooring option for you.